Wicklow Weekend Visit 2024
Celtic Cross returns to Wales
Last weekend, Wicklow Golf Club visited us for the 20th anniversary of an exchange first inspired by Jim Morgan back 2004. Keen to give a hospitable welcome to our Irish friends, we were also aiming to win back the coveted, Celtic Cross trophy. The trophy was the focus of the inter-club competition on day 1, during a singles stableford competition with the top 10 results counting. Our Club and Ladies Captains, Alex and Jacky Jones, were delighted to accept the Celtic Cross after a team win of 336 points to 302. Haverfordwest also took the lion’s share of individual prizes with: best runner up lady, Nicky Reeves (34); best lady Christine Frankton (34); best runner up gent Jonnie Owen (38); and, best gent John Rees (38). Best overall score (39) went to Paula Johnston (Wicklow).
There was a real buzz in the lounge after the day 1 competition with friendships made and rekindled. Everyone was entertained and stunned that evening by magician Luke Gravett, who will surely return in the near future with his incredible, up-close magic act.
Day 2 is traditionally “a bit of fun” – in other words, a hotly contested Texas Scramble for 13 mixed Haverfordwest/Wicklow teams. With 57.8 points, John Rees, Clive Frankton, Deidre Small (Wicklow) and Paul Furlong (Wicklow) were runners up. Taking the win, with a score of 56.6 was Steve Blowes, Mark Kelly (Wicklow), Anna Noone (Wicklow) and our club professional, Elliot Harding. The quote of the evening was “I know the teams were drawn out of a hat but the winning team got the Club Pro and we got the bus driver!”. The craic carried on that evening with some fabulous music from Muddy Funsters.
Sunday morning, day 3, we gathered at the clubhouse for a debrief and to bring the exchange to a close. Wicklow Club Captains, Valerie Brennan and Michael Small, thanked everyone who had worked so hard to make the exchange a success; perhaps more importantly, they said the friendships, laughs and our club’s hospitality had been second to none. The Irish flag has been lowered after this exchange and will be kept safe for Wicklow’s next visit.
These weekends bring so much energy to the clubhouse but are not possible without a lot of ground work in advance. Thanks go to John Rees, Pam and Alex Pile, Annie and Willie Williams, Nicky Reeves, Andrea Dudden, the members who laid on a fantastic buffet lunch on day 1 (and cakes that were still being eaten on Saturday night) plus, of course, Rosie and her team behind the bar. Thanks also to Judith Phillips who pulled out the stops to get outside catering for this important event.
In the spirit of a fun weekend, Wicklow tried to liberate the Celtic Cross from the trophy cabinet but were thwarted by a well-placed car in front of their coach and a peaceful sit in by the Lady Captain and her vice-Captain.
News will follow soon about our return visit over the water to Wicklow and I would encourage any member who enjoys golf and a fantastic craic, to sign up as soon as the list appears.
Alex Jones
HGC Club Captain
There was a real buzz in the lounge after the day 1 competition with friendships made and rekindled. Everyone was entertained and stunned that evening by magician Luke Gravett, who will surely return in the near future with his incredible, up-close magic act.
Day 2 is traditionally “a bit of fun” – in other words, a hotly contested Texas Scramble for 13 mixed Haverfordwest/Wicklow teams. With 57.8 points, John Rees, Clive Frankton, Deidre Small (Wicklow) and Paul Furlong (Wicklow) were runners up. Taking the win, with a score of 56.6 was Steve Blowes, Mark Kelly (Wicklow), Anna Noone (Wicklow) and our club professional, Elliot Harding. The quote of the evening was “I know the teams were drawn out of a hat but the winning team got the Club Pro and we got the bus driver!”. The craic carried on that evening with some fabulous music from Muddy Funsters.
Sunday morning, day 3, we gathered at the clubhouse for a debrief and to bring the exchange to a close. Wicklow Club Captains, Valerie Brennan and Michael Small, thanked everyone who had worked so hard to make the exchange a success; perhaps more importantly, they said the friendships, laughs and our club’s hospitality had been second to none. The Irish flag has been lowered after this exchange and will be kept safe for Wicklow’s next visit.
These weekends bring so much energy to the clubhouse but are not possible without a lot of ground work in advance. Thanks go to John Rees, Pam and Alex Pile, Annie and Willie Williams, Nicky Reeves, Andrea Dudden, the members who laid on a fantastic buffet lunch on day 1 (and cakes that were still being eaten on Saturday night) plus, of course, Rosie and her team behind the bar. Thanks also to Judith Phillips who pulled out the stops to get outside catering for this important event.
In the spirit of a fun weekend, Wicklow tried to liberate the Celtic Cross from the trophy cabinet but were thwarted by a well-placed car in front of their coach and a peaceful sit in by the Lady Captain and her vice-Captain.
News will follow soon about our return visit over the water to Wicklow and I would encourage any member who enjoys golf and a fantastic craic, to sign up as soon as the list appears.
Alex Jones
HGC Club Captain