Changes due at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club after heated AGM

SIGNIFICANT changes are to be put into place at one of the country’s most famous golf clubs following a heated AGM on Monday night.

Chairman of the Management Council at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, Mike Daly has resigned from his position at the club. A notice of no confidence was on the agenda at the AGM but was not moved as Mr Daly had resigned.

More than 350 members attended the AGM of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club on Monday night at the club headquarters, in Fossa. The club hosted the Irish Open four times and welcomes thousands of national and international golfers ever year.

In recent months there has been concern among some members about the running of the club, in particular over the lack of information from a commissioned Deloitte report. They had called for a special general meeting but this was refused because of the contractual agreement between Deloitte and the management council.

Following Monday’s night AGM, a number of changes are to be made at the club including the appointment of an independent facilitator to run the agenda at management council meetings for the club. This person will now be sought and will act as intermediary between the management council (board) and the executive.

A number of changes are also to be made to the constitution in relation to various roles. Elections to the management council have been postponed following the AGM to allow other issues of concern to be dealt with.

THE chairman of the management council of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, Mike Daly has stepped down. A motion of no confidence had been on the agenda at Monday night’s AGM calling for him to step down immediately.

However, the motion was not moved as Mr Daly resigned from the position. He did not wish to comment when contacted by The Kerryman this week.

More than 350 members attended the AGM on Monday night which was held at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club. A motion was carried at the AGM seeking the engagement of an independent facilitator to run the agenda at management council meetings for the club. This person will now be sought and will act as an intermediary between the management council (board) and the executive.

A number of changes are also to be made to the constitution regarding various roles. Elections to the management council have been postponed following the AGM on Monday to allow other issues of concern to be dealt with and these will be held at a later date.

There have been concerns in the club in recent months over the content of a Deloitte report undertaken by the management council and which was not shared with club members.

The management council had stated that it could not release this information due to a contractual agreement with Deloitte and confirmed by Deloitte.

Members had called for a special general meeting to discuss the report. A petition was signed by 50 members of the 1,700 members to this effect. This was refused in a letter to members from the management council because Deloitte stated that the report was conducted for the management council only. This issue was also raised at the AGM and is still a matter of discussion.

Concerns were raised about the financial future of the club in an action plan, drawn up on foot of the Deloitte report, and seen by The Kerryman.

A management council letter to members last month also stated that the “club’s financial viability and stability” were key concerns that led to the engagement of Deloitte and that considerable steps still need to be taken to secure its future.

The action plan, provided to members last month, says that the management council needs to be more focused financially. The management council stated that green fees are a matter for the general manager but that it is conscious of the financial position of the club and looking to ensure it’s commercial viability.

Issues over communication between the management council and general manager of the club have also been raised in the plan. The Kerryman understands that issues between the management council and the general manager are in the hands of legal professionals. Other concerns raised in the action plan include confidentiality and staff concerns, as well as concerns over the contract to the club’s golf professional, Dave Keating, whose contract terminated earlier this year. A new contract was offered to Mr Keating but no agreement was reached. Outside contractors are now to run facilities at the club including the pro shop which was run by Mr Keating.

The Kerryman attempted to contact Killarney Golf and Fishing Club for comment but at the time of going to print had not received a response.