An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir March / April 2024 www.military.ie/magazine 12 | T he DF Golf team's journey to the 14th CISM World Championships began on the 30th September 2023, although qualification had taken place over the preceding months. At the end of September, the group of 11, including Chief of Mission, Brig Gen Brendan McGuinness, GOC DFTC along with six (6) male and three (3) female golfers and the Team Manager, gathered in Dublin Airport to begin our competitive journey. In a strange twist of fate, the celebrations began early as the youngest and oldest members of the group celebrated their birthday on the day of our departure, as it happened, they were also the most senior and junior ranked members of the group! The DF golf team included a combination of both experienced golfers and rookies in CISM terms. Four members of the team had CISM World Championships experience prior to competing in San Diego. Our most experienced golfer was Sgt Brendan Healy competing at his 6th CISM World Golf Championships. The team was selected based on handicaps, experience and performance during the 2023 golfing season that included the Bde/ Fmn Championships and the DF Championships along with previous DF Championships winners. Our three main winners from the DF Championships were included, Senior Champion Cpl Richard Finn, Junior Champion Comdt Regina Foley and the Intermediate Champion Cpl Jennifer Kingston. In the period between team selection and travelling to the CISM World Golf Championships, the team spent a day with Mr Kenny Fahey, Head Professional at the Golf Ireland Academy located in Carton House, Maynooth. The training concentrated on the various aspects of the game and also focused the mind of the team on the task ahead. On Monday 2nd October the team got to see and play the Admiral Baker Golf Course for the first time, it was clear from the outset it was a demanding course that would test every aspect of a golfers game. The greens were running at high speeds and all competitors could see the huge effort put in by the CISM Committee together with the club officials and in particular the green staff in preparation for the event. The opening ceremony followed the practice round, with a technical meeting followed by a meet and greet and an opportunity to meet some of the competitors or to catch up in some cases. On Tuesday 3rd October, the competition commenced in earnest, with the first tee time just after 0700hrs as the sun was rising to greet everyone on their arrival at the course. The competition format included individual and team competitions for both the men and the women, based on gross scores, played over four days, a true test of golf. There were over 100 competitors from 17 different countries, 78 male and 24 females, within that number there was 12 male and 9 female teams. The best four scores from the men's six daily scores and two scores from the ladies three over the four days would determine the team placings. To assist in the running of the event, the local organisers had over 150 local volunteers on hand. These were mostly members with strong connections to the local Naval Base, many claiming to have Irish relatives and happy to relay stories of their visits or plans to visit Ireland. These volunteers assisted as starters, scorekeepers, referees and ball watchers, with water and food stations located throughout the course to satisfy the demands of the competitors as the temperatures rose during the week. BY COMDT JOHN FITZGERALD PHOTOS PROVIDED BY COMDT JOHN FITZGERALD Out in support, flying the Irish Tri Colour CISM GOLF TOURNAMENT 2023 Sgt Brendan Healy Sgt Niall Kennedy and Capt Mark Doyle enjoying the tournament DF team at the opening ceremony

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