Lawlor losses out for Munster Branch Chair

CASTLEISLAND GC’s Michael Lawlor was unsuccessful in his bid for the Chairmanship of the Munster Branch of the Golfing Union of Ireland at its AGM in Mallow with representatives of nearly all 85 affiliated golf clubs attending.

Out-going Chairman John Moloughney thanked everyone involved with the Branch over the past year for all of their help and said there was a degree of sadness in compiling his final report as Chairman.

A great servant to golf, he became involved with the Munster Branch in mid-1980s before going on to serve as Treasurer and Secretary before taking over from Liam Martin as Chairman.

Moloughney will now serve as President-elect of the GUI for 2017 before assuming the role of President the following year.

His successor will be the Branch’s nominee, Jim Long of Monkstown, who defeated Lawlor and Liam Harkin (Muskerry).

Ahead of his election as Chairman, Long, in his capacity as out-going Honorary Secretary, delivered his report on the year’s golfing activities and gave details of several high points including the success of clubs and individuals at national level.

He also referred to the implementation of the GUI strategic review, and development of a Strategic Plan to map the future of the GUI which includes opening talks with the ILGU to examine the feasibility of having One Governing Body to oversee the game of golf.

Discussions on this are ongoing and will continue into 2017.

Honorary Treasurer Peter English’s reported showed a marginal increase of adult membership in Munster of just over 1% (391 persons, total: 28,596) but a drop of 4.5% in junior membership (228 persons, total: 4,810) while the branch’s accounts for the year showed an excess of expenditure over income of €25,208.

Liam Harkin, Honorary Match & Handicapping Secretary, stated that all Annual Handicapping Reviews were completed by the deadline and he thanked the clubs for their co-operation in this.

He also reported that the handicap committee have electronically monitored several clubs and have also carried out audits with advisory visits taking place, a process he said is ongoing.

Barry Lynch (Raffeen Creek) was elected Honorary Secretary to replace Jim Long, while Peter English (Limerick) was re-elected Honorary Treasurer.

Dave Prendergast (Cork) was elected as Honorary Match & Handicapping Secretary replacing Liam Harkin.

Castleisland’s Seán Turner was unsuccessful in his bid for a place on the Provincial Council but Tralee’s Michael Coote and Ballybunion’s Tom Keane were both re-elected and Killarney’s motion regarding the Fred Daly was successful.

The issue of handicaps was raised by a number of delegates and the Pierce Purcell Shield and Michael Cashman Four Ball were highlighted as competitions that had suffered from inaccurate handicaps and the question was also asked as to where responsibility lay for the management of handicaps.

Pat Dunne responded on behalf of the Branch outlining the processes involved and clearly stating that the responsibility first and foremost lay with club and their handicap committees. Dave Prendergast, incoming Match & Handicap Secretary informed the meeting that the home and away format of the Michael Cashman Four Ball would change to home (or away) for whole team with team on top of draw at home. He reported that representations will be made nationally to increase the age limit to 45 upwards which currently stands at 30.

Barry Lynch informed the meeting that all courses in Munster were currently being re-rated in terms of new SSS and slope measurements while all clubs were requested to return an updated list of Club Officers to the Branch as soon as possible.