Captain Tony O’Toole address at 2019 AGM.
President Michael Keely, Thank you for all your support throughout the year.
I would like to have a slight pause for those members who have passed on, as they laid the Club foundation and especially now as we approach the 50th. anniversary and in the near future Historical Autonomy for the club and for those, trough sickness that cannot be here tonight. Rody Cawley, Dinny Maher who was to be my successor and Myles Mc Murrow.
I want to thank John Stapleton for my nomination to Captain and hope to see him back in action soon on course work.
I am truly proud and honored, to have served as Captain of Templemore Golf Club for 2019.
It was a fantastic year of accomplishments.
I want to complement all the committee for their contribution, enthusiasm, dedication, commitment, who freely give of their time and support to me and the club, especially Tom on Finance, Pat as Secretary, Jim, Michael and Martin on H/C, and especially in relation to the recent Munster GUI Audit. Also, a special thanks to Pat Dunne on the new rules and Slope ratings on the new score cards. The club are so lucky to have such dedicated and knowledgeable members. Thank you all.
I also want to thank all the Team managers and all the teams that represented the club at various competitions, especially Seanie Gleeson and Liam Leahy and their teams for the fantastic success this year in the Fred Perry, and Central Towns competitions. The club is proud of each member as they competed with integrity, enthusiasm, honesty and brought an air of achievement to the club.
I want to express on behalf of all the members an acknowledgement of thanks for the dedication and expertise on the course work by Dinny Maher and Jack Alexandra. The course and the Greens have never been in a better condition than they are at present. Also, thanks to all the volunteer workers on the course especially to Tommy Foley, John Galvin, Frankie Shortt, Michael Purcell and Chris Doyle. Also, to FAS workers under the supervision of course manager Liam Leahy. “The Course is a credit to you all”.
A special thanks to the Classic Committee, Phil, Donal, Declan and Tom for their commitment and dedication which resulted in a successful fundraising achievement which contributed to the purchase and replacement of equipment. And to all the sponsors who were so generous in their support, which is an acknowledgement and testament that Templemore Golf Club is recognized as an integral sport amenity in the town.
I also want to acknowledge a special thanks for the substantial monetary contributions to the club from the “Senior Sector” and The Ladies, In support for the away Teams and equipment. Also, to all other societies, The White Dowling, LMC, and Green Fees paid.
I am delighted with the success of the “Golf Cadets” and the support from the supervisors and trainers (Dinny and Sean) and especially to Pat O’Connell who over the years contributed to the training of the next generation of Golfers. The current Cadet strategy is under the umbrella of the CGI, (Confederation of Golf Ireland) and will be a great asset to the club in the bigger picture going forward for the future development of the club and obtaining Sports Capital Grants.
Communications/PRO; Communication is an essential part of our club, because it provides information on our activities and purpose as a club to our members and the public far and wide. It Implements our values across the golf fraternity and sport sectors. It Creates a positive and truthful image of our club and the game of golf. It especially Strengthens our role in our own community. A special thanks to Jim Ryan for the introduction of “What’s App” and to the Tipperary Star the Nenagh Guardian and especially to Seamus Bourke for his photography Skills in making us all look better and his dedicated response when required.
“Praise the Club its members and it will Grow”
I have a big ask to all members, to Build Bridges on past differences and the club will move onwards and upwards especially now that the Club is very close to its own Historical Autonomy.
OPW Update; Successful progress is currently been made on the conclusion of our commitment to the Garda Sports field Company Ltd. and a resolution into the future in achieving our own autonomy with one body, the OPW. I especially want to thank the delegation representing the club at the various meetings and backroom support. Tom McGrath, Pat O’Connell, Martin Bohan and Liam Daly. The knowledge and acumen of these members were essential in reaching a satisfactory result for the Club and its members in achieving its own autonomy into the future. A special thanks to Catherine Eddery, OPW, Head of Owned property Management, and to Joe Nugent, Chief Administrative Officer, An Garda Síochána and recently appointed Director of the Garda Sports Field Company, for their assurance and continued determination to resolve the impasse and to create Autonomy for Templemore Golf Club.
I also thank our Trustees John Moloughney and Johnny Hacket for remaining silently steadfast to be called upon, and particularly in relation to the future autonomy of the club.
I wish the incoming President, Captain, and committee all the best in continuing with the great progress that the club has achieved to date. Also to the Ladies new committee and Lady Captain, Kay Brennan and Lady President Breda Murphy with their endeavors to increase the Ladies and Cadets membership going forward, and a special thanks to the outgoing Lady Captain Lorraine Ryan for all her help during 2019.
At this point I will now hand over the club in “Good Stead” to my successor Tom McGrath.