Tipperary Golf: New captains at Slievenamon Golf Club take up their roles

SLIEVENAMON GOLF CLUB

It’s been a quiet few weeks for competitions at Slievenamon, as the weather has been less than encouraging for golfers, to say the least. Nonetheless, both the Ladies and the Gents Turkey and Ham Competitions are proceeding apace, and becoming more competitive as D Day approaches.

Our Gents are also sharpening their golf clubs as they vie for leadership of the 9 Hole Christmas League that has been organised by Heather Bailey, the season of goodwill notwithstanding.

Annual General Meetings
Last week, the main attraction was the Ladies and the Gents AGM. The first to kick off were the Ladies, whose AGM on Monday, December 4 was very well attended and marked the conclusion of a very successful year for our incumbent Lady Captain, Ann O’Dea. Ann’s time at the helm has been marked by graciousness and good humour and, though she expressed herself nervous this time last year when she assumed the role of Lady Captain, she has acquitted herself with great distinction and, one suspects, might even have been somewhat wistful at passing the reins to incoming Lady Captain Paula Spillane.
Paula set out her intention clearly at the AGM that she intends running a Club that will be marked by its inclusiveness and I have no doubt that she will achieve everything that she sets out to do.

Mark Dillon (left) receiving the scroll of office as Men’s Captain at Slievenamon Golf Club from outgoing Captain Terry O’Brien

Our Gents AGM took place on Wednesday, December 6 and concluded with the election of Mark Dillon to the role of Captain. Mark is taking over from Terry O’Brien, who has also run a very successful year. The evening also saw a number of presentations being made, including the September Monthly Medal, which was won by Michael J O’Donnell. The evening also saw the presentation of the McGarry Cup, which was won by John J Doyle. John was unable to attend on the night so the trophy was accepted on his behalf by Competition Secretary John Fitzgibbon.

25 YEARS OF GOLF AT SLIEVENAMON

Next year will see the Club celebrating its 25th Anniversary. Planning for the event is already underway and we are looking forward to profiling our Club and showcasing the huge changes that have taken part on the Course over the past five years under the excellent stewardship of Paul Kenny.

It’s hard to believe we are at the end of another year already. Fortunately Heather has worked her usual magic on the clubhouse and transformed it into a twinkling winter wonderland, so it is impossible not to feel the Christmas cheer. There is nothing like sitting in front of the open fire in the Clubhouse drinking a cup of hot chocolate that will warm even the hardest of hearts!