16/06/2026
Busy Time For Captain Donal.
Although he indicated at the beginning of his year as 2026 Captain of Bright Castle Golf Club that he was happy to take a back-seat with regards the Clubโs inter-club teams this season, Donal Smith has had a busy time of things of late, both on and off the course. Having led the over 50s senior menโs team to the final of that particular competition in 2025, heโs once again steering that particular ship this year and heโll be back in action with his teammates this coming Saturday in their round three match against Letterkenny. Donal also teed it up last Sunday in the Jimmy Bruen Shield at Warrenpoint and although Gerard Creggan and himself suffered a reversal in their foursomes tie, the team made it through to round three of the competition and Ciaran Mahonโs side will face Silverwood on Sunday week, June 28th. We wish both teams the very best of luck.
Off the course, as well as making preparations for his Captainโs Day on Saturday, August 1st, Donal has been finalising plans for a couple of charity events which are taking place over the coming weeks. All monies raised via this yearโs fundraisers are being donated to Life Changes, Changes Lives, (LCCL), & Pop-Up Art, Downpatrick, which provides a safe, welcoming space for people with mental health challenges, addiction and social isolation. Their Social Cafรฉ situated in Market Street, Downpatrick offers more than just coffee and Captain Donal has been known to partake in the odd traybake (or three) from there himself, which he highly recommends. This Friday evening, June 19th, Donal will be welcoming invited guests from Ardglass, Downpatrick and Spa golf clubs to Bright, along with other friends and family to his Captainโs Guests evening, while the following weekend will see the Captainโs Charity Competition for Bright Castle members take place. Members can choose to play on the Friday, Saturday or Sunday but naturally can only enter once. Entry fee will be ยฃ20 and will include competition entry, a donation to the charity, twos, nearest the pin prizes, raffle tickets and an entry into the Captainโs Golden Shot, which is being trialled ahead of Captainโs Day in August.
Although the majority of tee boxes have been sponsored for both events, anyone wishing to sponsor a tee box and/or green (ยฃ20) is asked to contact Donal on 07843807516.
Blustery conditions made things difficult enough for the majority of the players in last Saturdayโs stableford competition but both Ross Dunwoody and Dylan Duffy proved that good scores were achievable, when they both finished with 40 points. A better back nine score gave Ross the victory with Dylan taking second place and the minor placings filled by Trevor OโShea (38), Pat Dornan (36) and Ken Montgomery (34). The ever consistent Darren Boyd secured the gross prize and also pocketed a share of Saturdayโs twos pot, with other shares going to Dylan Duffy, Colm McNeil and Donal Smith. Players are reminded that they are responsible for making sure that all scores are entered correctly onto the computer upon competition of their rounds and that their scorecard is signed by both themselves and whoever was marking their card.
Members are reminded that Captainโs Day tee time sheets are available in the shop and members are asked to indicate whether they want to play in the 930am or 130pm shotgun starts on Saturday, August 1st.
After the third of eight 2026 Order Of Merit, Sam Burns leads the way with 103 points, closely followed by Phil Bullock on 102 points, with Odhran Collins two points further adrift on 100 points. Members are reminded that their six best scores in the eight Order Of Merit events will count towards their overall total.
