16 Ball – Holywood Golf Club

The 16 Ball is one of a number of small societies operating within the membership of Holywood Golf Club.

It was established over 50 years ago by a group of friends and acquaintances who felt that individually and collectively they could more easily maximise the benefits deriving from Club membership and, at the same time, play a more significant role in the wellbeing of the Club.

The name the group chose, 16 Ball, is hardly innovative and simply reflected the target number of members at the outset.  The size did, however, acknowledge the optimum golfing fourball concept and was held to be manageable in terms of administration and relationships.

A central objective from the outset was round the year golf, with groups of members participating in Club competitions over the main season and a 16 Ball winter league over the winter months.  The aim was to build and sustain the commitment of members to the group (especially over the winter) and thereby to maintain the desired societal benefits.

The group shared the common benefits of intra-club societies such as:-

 the links to one another and to their club;

 a great way to socialise and to develop relationships – old and new;

 a potential support mechanism for members;

 a mix of generations, backgrounds and abilities;

 an opportunity to enjoy smaller group competitions;

 easier opportunities to access other courses.

However, in addition, on setting out on the society path, the original members saw merit in evolving a distinguishing ethos, which included:-

 creating a sense of community within the group;

 an inclusive approach which valued all members on the same basis;

 to recognise acceptable standards of behaviour;

 to welcome new members on the basis of an introduction and discussion within the group;

 to encourage the support of members to group initiatives;

 to share administrative tasks across the group; and

 to appoint a president on an annual basis, the primary criterion being the longest serving group member who had not served in that capacity.

While weekly golf has always been the bedrock of the 16 Balls’ function, other activities emerged over the years, including the weekend away, snooker and indoor bowls nights, and participation in one-off golf and social occasions.  That said, the core approach and structure have remained essentially the same across the years – presumably because they worked.

Unfortunately, our numbers have dropped off a little in recent times, making events like the weekend away and President’s Day somewhat more challenging.  This, and questions from our newer members about the origins and ethos of the group, have prompted discussions about how we see the future.  Hence Gavin’s survey and this analysis.