The future of women’s golf had looked bleak at Tandragee in 2015, few new members were joining and the section was struggling to maintain numbers.
A decade later and the club has an entirely new outlook. It is a thriving community of players who have helped make the Armagh club a vibrant centre for women’s golf, a transformation driven by one volunteer’s vision.
At the heart of this change is Dolores Hamill. Her passion and dedication as a volunteer have helped introduce almost 200 women and girls to the game. Through her leadership and development of the Get into Golf programme, she has created a welcoming pathway for beginners and helped build a strong community of female golfers.
Hamill’s own golfing journey began during her time as a lecturer in the Southern Regional College (formerly Armagh Technical), when an exchange programme with a college in Virginia in the United States brought a passionate golfer to work in her department.
“She used to take me out to a municipal course, and we played there and I took it up with her. It was her that got me involved and I absolutely loved it,” said Hamill.
From there, her love of golf grew, and as a member of Tandragee for over 30 years, her passion for the game and the club she calls home continues to grow.
Hamill took up the role of Women’s Captain in 2015, at a time when female membership at the club was struggling. Inspired by how her American colleague had introduced her to golf years earlier, she decided she would try and do the same.
“I appreciated how much golf enriched my life’s experiences, so I felt passionate about wanting other ladies to have those sorts of golden opportunities,” said Hamill.
“I decided to start up a golf programme myself in October (2015). It was largely my work colleagues, my former colleagues or maybe golf members’ families.”
Later it would be club professional Dympna Keenan who approached Hamill about developing a more structured programme.
“At that time, it was Dympna who approached me and asked would I consider working with her to offer the Get into Golf programme. Along with Rory Leonard (Golf Ireland) we planned our new programme.”
Beginning with just a group of eight in October when Hamill initially set out to improve membership, her work with Keenan and Leonard on the Get into Golf initiative attracted more than 20 eager participants in its first year.
Since then, Hamill has helped oversee a remarkable rise in women’s membership at Tandragee, not only building a strong community of golfers but also inspiring many along the way.
Hamill’s dedication has been particularly inspiring given the personal challenges she has overcome. In 2017 she faced major surgery, a battle with bowel cancer, and more recently injuries including a broken leg and broken wrist.
Despite all she has faced Hamill remained committed to the programme.
“It was my passion for golf and getting back to my GIG ladies that helped me fight through every setback,” said Hamill.
“It was 2020 during COVID that I was diagnosed with cancer. I had my diagnosis on June 2, my operation the 22nd and I was back playing golf and involved in golf in July.”
One of the defining features of Hamill’s approach is her personal touch as she welcomed each participant personally, creating an atmosphere where beginners could feel comfortable asking questions and learning at their own pace.
The introduction of a buddy and mentorship system paired new golfers with experienced members, helping them learn the rules, etiquette and spirit of the game in a fun, social setting. Camaraderie and enjoyment were central to Hamill’s approach, ensuring that every new player built confidence both on and off the course.
Over the past decade, 191 women and girls have participated in the Get into Golf initiative, with 154 of those going on to become full members of the club. Today, nearly half of Tandragee’s female members started through the programme, highlighting its profound impact on the club.
“It’s just amazing, they’ve just been wonderful,” said Hamill.
“The joy in it is the happiness and the joy you see in them. I just know in my own heart how much it changed my life and how many opportunities it’s given me. I wanted other people to have that also.”
“But you look how much they’ve given to me, just seeing them achieve. They’re a ray of sunshine being in the club and they add so much and they’re so involved and enthusiastic it totally warms my heart.”
Not only has Hamill’s work helped these women gain confidence and develop their golfing skills, it has also helped them envision themselves as leaders within the golfing community with many participants having stepped into key roles in the club.
Past participants have gone on to become Club Secretary and Match and Handicap Secretary, while Esther Paul who joined through the programme, became Lady Captain in 2025 after being mentored by Hamill through her early years at the club.
“It’s given them confidence to do those types of things and to think of a bit about themselves and what they want out of life,” said Hamill.
“In our local community it’s very easy to just get set in what you’re doing and not have the courage to move on and change and develop.”
Hamill’s vision for Tandragee has made Get into Golf more than just a programme, it has created a community where women of all ages and abilities feel confident to learn, compete and contribute to a growing club.
“I hope I’m doing our girls justice because I love these girls and I just want them to do well,” said Hamill.
“I know it’s changed their lives because some of them have brought whole families in and there are families who are all involved.”
For her tireless dedication and contribution to women’s golf, Hamill has been nominated for the Women’s and Girls category at the upcoming Golf Ireland Club Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Her story serving as an example of how one volunteer, driven by passion and love of the game can help transform a club and influence the lives of many.
“It means a lot to me because it endorses the programme,” said Hammil.
“It wouldn’t just be endorsing me, it would be endorsing all the ladies that have come through it and how valued they are. It recognises the whole 10 years and endorses how well all those ladies have done and taken up roles in the golf club.”
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