Unfortunately all competitions were cancelled last weekend due to the continuing ' big freeze'. The Wednesday Society outing scheduled for January 13th has been put back to wednesday the 20th. Hopefully next weekend will allow a return to action for a lot of frustrated golfers.

DIAGEO WINTER LEAGUE: The current spell of harsh weather has played havoc with the Winter League schedule as yet another round was called off last Sunday. At the time of going to press, the previously postponed Round 5 will go ahead next Sunday January 17th. A decision will be made this week regarding the completion of the League, so keep an eye on the notice board and website for further updates.

Competitiors are reminded to please write in their scores on the Winter League tables board in the clubhouse bar before they leave on Sundays, otherwise it is impossible to keep the tables up to date. It is also important that players are on the first tee at the appointed time to ensure that the field keeps moving.

MEMBERSHIP OFFER: For a limited time only a unique opportunity now exists to join Co. Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point. We are offering a special introductory deal for new members in 2010. Rosses Point is committed to attracting new members to the club and the game of golf.

We are discounting new full membership subscriptions by 50% in the first year and 25% in the second year; this is on top of relaxing the joining fee for 2010.

This new membership fee structure is effective from 1st January 2010 and with the option of monthly payments also available there will never be a better opportunity to become part of one of the best golf clubs in Ireland.

For further information please contact Teresa on 071 9177134 or email teresa@countysligogolfclub.ie

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CO SLIGO GOLF CLUB â?“ PART 1:

The club owes its existence to Lieutenant Colonel James Campbell who chaired the first meeting on the 18th of October 1894 and became its first captain. Harper Campbell Perry became the first Hon Secretary and with the assistance of Author Jackson, these three are regarded as the founding fathers of the club. The proposed location of the links.

James Campbell was familiar with this piece of ground because the Sligo militia, of which he was a Lt. Col, held their annual summer camps on the flat ground of Bomore. They also practised their artillery skills against the waves of the Atlantic from gun emplacements on Bomore Point. It is generally believed that the officers played golf over a few rudimentary holes laid out by army personnel long before the formal laying out of the course. Incidentally Bomore was also the venue for Sligo Races for many years as it was a natural amphitheatre for spectators who lined the high ground along the present fifth tee. George Combe was invited by James Campbell to lay out the first nine holes at Rosses Point. Combe was a scratch golfer, the first honorary secretary of the Golfing Union of Ireland of which he was a founder member in 1891, and set up the world's first handicap system in 1896. He laid out the first nine holes around the current clubhouse and Greenlands. His early association with the club has been perpetuated by

his presentation of a silver cup in 1896. The Combe Cup is still played for today and is one of the oldest golf trophies in existence.

In 1902, George Combe was awarded the first Honorary Life Membership for his contribution to the designing and creation of the club's first nine holes. He was a regular visitor until his death in 1938.

In 1906 the club decided to increase the number of holes from nine to eighteen. This task was entrusted to Captain William Campbell, a step brother of James. He was a scratch golfer, a distinguished polo player, a more than useful soccer player and a member of Royal Dublin Golf Club as well as the Cambridge GOLF SOCIETY. His design incorporated the Combe holes and explored new territory along the sand dunes out as far as the present 12th hole. At over five thousand nine hundred yards, it was regarded as a "A Capital Links" and was considered one of the best in Ireland.