#004 - The Beast of Ballygobbard
Twenty years after tragedy struck, the fearsome menace is the main topic at a golf club dinner
Una and Don Hatton, the veritable Taylor and Travis of the Ballygobbard golf scene, are at the helm of a memorial event to mark 20 years since the mysterious disappearance of their beloved Bichon Frisé, Bianca. Una is determined to keep Bianca’s memory alive, and does so with a rousing speech and a call to action …
ARTEFACT #004: QUARTERLY RATHBORRIS GOLF CLUB NEWSLETTER, MARCH 2024
Captain’s Note – A word from Don Hatton
I’d like to thank everyone who attended the Bianca Hatton Memorial Golf Classic last weekend. It was a great success and raised much needed funds for the 16th hole defibrillator, which will be dedicated in honour of Fonsie Dunlop at a ceremony in the coming months. Fonsie died doing what he loved most: bogeying the 16th and drinking from his Gaviscon flask. Those who were with him on the day in question say he passed relatively peacefully, full sure it was just the peppercorn sauce from his lunch repeating on him. The new defibrillator will hopefully ensure that there will be no more tragedy at Rathborris GC.
I’d also like to thank all members who have nominated me to once again take up the role of Club Captain. It is a prestigious post and one I have been proud to hold for the past four years. As announced at last weekend’s golf classic, I will once again be contesting the election to retain my position and hope to continue with my passion for governance and member welfare. Voting will take place at the club AGM in May. Your nominations are welcomed until May 1st.
A note from our greenskeeper Gerard Crowley: Could whoever is using the bunker at the 10th hole as a toilet please cease doing so immediately. We always urge members to return to the clubhouse to use the facilities wherever possible but while urine is one thing, what I was forced to clean up during the recent execution of my duties was unacceptable. Also, the soiled golf club sock I had to destroy may be traceable and we have images of said sock available to view in the Captain’s Office should anyone wish to attempt an identification.
Finally, for the perusal of any members who were unable to attend, I present, in full, the speech given at the Bianca Hatton Memorial Golf Classic by my wife, Lady Captain, Una Hatton:
“Esteemed club members, visiting players, friends and family members,
I want to thank you all for the effort and camaraderie shown here today on the twentieth anniversary of the loss of my beloved Bianca. Many of you knew her personally, she was a common fixture here in the club especially on days when our now-retired catering manager Teresa Daly was preparing her infamous pork chops …
(ALLOW PAUSE FOR LAUGHTER, TEARS)
No doubt Bianca touched all of you in some way, before she was cruelly ripped from us that fateful night in 2004 by a monster who remains at large to this day. Before I get into that though, and issue a new appeal for information in the case, I want us to remember Bianca as she was. Don, slide one, please.