RACGS tees off 2026 season at the prestigious Montgomerie Course
The Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Golf Society (RACGS) officially swung into action for the 2026 season on 09 April, returning to the formidable inland links of the Montgomerie Course at Carton House. Under the banner of this year’s theme, “Putting our Industry in Touch for 2026,” the outing proved once again that there is no better venue than the fairways to foster professional connections and friendly rivalry.
The “Monty” is renowned for its cavernous bunkers and rolling fairways, demanding the kind of precision and strategy our members usually reserve for complex HVAC installations. Despite the challenging layout, the leaderboard showed some impressive scoring across all categories.
The Winners’ Enclosure
The day belonged to Michael Nolan, who claimed the title of Overall Outing Winner. Playing off a handicap of 27, Michael navigated the challenges of Carton House with clinical efficiency to card a winning 38 points.
In the competitive Class 1 category, Alan Darcy took the top spot with a solid 36 points, narrowly edging out John Ryan and Paddy Smee. Class 2 saw Roland Bradley emerge victorious with 37 points, leading a tight pack that included Vinnie Sullivan and David Killalea.
The Visitors’ section saw some of the highest scores of the day, suggesting guests weren’t intimidated by the championship setting. Simon Killeen led the charge with a fantastic 40 points to take the visitors’ win.
Official Results: Carton House (Montgomerie)
| Category | Winner | Score |
| Overall Outing Winner | Michael Nolan | 38 Pts (Hcap 27) |
| Class 1 Winner | Alan Darcy | 36 Pts |
| Class 1 2nd | John Ryan | 34 Pts |
| Class 1 3rd | Paddy Smee | 33 Pts |
| Class 2 Winner | Roland Bradley | 37 Pts |
| Class 2 2nd | Vinnie Sullivan | 33 Pts |
| Class 2 3rd | David Killalea | 32 Pts |
| Visitors Winner | Simon Killeen | 40 Pts |
| Visitors 2nd | Stephen Moran | 39 Pts |
| Visitors 3rd | Keith McDonnell | 38 Pts |
– Front Nine: Ciaran Moody (17 Pts)
– Back Nine: Fergus Daly (15 Pts)
– Nearest the Pin: Mick Curran (100”)
– Longest Drive: TBC (Rumour has it the ball hasn’t landed yet!)
Industry Connectivity
Beyond the scorecards, the event served its primary purpose: keeping the industry in touch. As the technical and regulatory shifts of 2026 are navigated, the RACGS remains a vital social hub for the refrigeration and air conditioning community.
The success of the day is a testament to the hard work of the 2026 committee: Martin Baneham, Fergus Daly, Giles Drum, Mark Kiely, Stuart Gaffney, and Michael Clancy. Their dedication ensures that the society continues to thrive, providing a perfect balance of sport and networking.