Siblings Ricky Morgan and Karen Healy drive in as Captain and Lady Captain

Family is important at County Louth Golf Club. Since 1892, the Baltray based club has welcomed golfers of all ages and abilities – and, more often than not, welcoming their children and grandchildren too.

It’s not uncommon to meet three or even four generations of the same family playing together, supporting events, or sharing stories in the clubhouse. This year, that sense of family has taken on even greater meaning.

In a quiet but meaningful moment in the club’s long history, 2025 marks the first time that both the Men’s and Ladies’ Captains come from a third-generation family line.

Brother and sister Ricky Morgan and Karen Healy have taken up the captaincy roles this year, following in the footsteps of their late father and grandparents, who each served as captains many years ago.

While many families have passed down a love of Baltray through the generations, this is the first time that the club has seen both roles filled by members whose family has held the honour across three successive generations. It’s a lovely reflection of what County Louth Golf Club is all about – a place where people don’t just play golf, they grow up, grow old, and stay connected through it.

This year’s captains are no strangers to the club or to its members. Ladies’ Captain Karen is a familiar face from her work as an event organiser and interior designer, known for her creativity and energy. Men’s Captain Ricky runs his own golf shop and has a strong eye for the latest golfing equipment – regularly travelling to international golf shows to make sure he’s offering the very best advice and technology to help improve your game.

To start their year in office, the pair opted to do their Drive-In together– a light-hearted break from tradition that was warmly welcomed by members. True to form, they made it memorable by hitting their shots under a cheeky cloud of smoke, making sure no one could say who hit it further (or shorter!).

They weren’t the only ones to make a strong start. Junior Captains Daniel O’Brien and Elizabeth Sharkey also stepped up to the tee – and both delivered magnificent drives, the kind of shots any PGA Tour player would be proud of. Their confidence and composure set the tone for what promises to be a fantastic year for junior golf at the club.

And of course, all of this takes place on one of Ireland’s most celebrated links courses. County Louth Golf Club is consistently ranked among the top golf courses in the country, admired for its natural, unspoiled layout and its fair but demanding test of golf. Redesigned in the 1930s by renowned architect Tom Simpson, the course is a favourite among purists – and has hosted many elite events, including the Irish Open. In 2009, a young Shane Lowry famously won the Irish Open here as an amateur, securing Baltray’s place in golfing history.

But for Ricky and Karen, the moment wasn’t about the spectacle – it was about the club. “This club has been part of our family for as long as we can remember,” said Karen. “We’ve grown up here, and we’ve seen so many families do the same. We’re just proud to be part of that bigger story.”

County Louth Golf Club is more than a championship course. It’s a place where the past and present walk side by side, where friendships form and last a lifetime, and where tradition and community remain at the heart of everything. 2025 promises to be a year of celebration, connection, and continuity – all things Baltray has always stood for.

For more, visit www.countylouthgolfclub.com.