The "Noughties"
The 2000’s saw the Celtic Tiger roaring across Ireland! During the ten years unemployment in the Country fell to an all-time low, a record number of houses were built and Ireland took its place among the richest nations in the world. Sadly the decade ended badly with recession hitting hard, but no doubt the recession will pass too and once more Ireland will stride forward.
The Peace Process in Northern Ireland dominated the news, with talks on-going to secure lasting peace. Despite many setbacks and the inherent distrust between the two communities there the Peace Agreement held and Northern Ireland became virtually self-governing.
The Irish soccer team, under manager Mick McCarthy, reached the 2002 World Cup finals in Korea/Japan; this however was completely overshadowed by the Roy Keane saga. In 2003 Mick McCarthy resigned as Ireland manager.
In 2001 a series of co-ordinated suicide attacks by Al-Qaeda on the United States took place on 11 September. Ultimately this led to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the war on terror.
In 2006 former Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey died.
Padraig Harrington won back to back British Open Championships in 2007 and 2008.
For Castlebar Golf Club the decade started off with the redevelopment of the course in full swing. Eighteen new tees and greens complete with an entirely new layout were being built. The newly developed course was officially opened in 2001.
In 2002 Castlebar Golf Club won the Kenny Cup and in 2003 won the Connaught Junior Foursomes. In 2007 and 2008 respectively the Connaught section of the Junior Cup and the Connaught section of the Pierce Purcell Shield were won.
The Winter League was started in 2003 and this has developed into a very popular league with over 200 golfers entering it each year.
Fund-raising became even more essential in the 2000’s. The 2004 Captain, Denis Gallagher, introduced the Club Lotto, which ran for just over two years and raised over €40,000!
2004 was a huge year for Castlebar Golf Club. The Club hosted the Youths All-Ireland Finals with the finest young golfers from all over Ireland playing and a certain Rory McIlroy winning the title!
Also in 2004 Jim McGovern became the third Castlebar member to be elected to the Connaught Council of the Golfing Union of Ireland and in 2007 Jim became the first Castlebar member to be appointed Honorary Secretary of the Connaught Council.
The decade ended as it began with construction work on-going. This time the Clubhouse was being extended and renovated, a job overseen by Val Jennings and completed in early 2010, leaving Castlebar Golf Club with a very fine Clubhouse as well as a very fine course!