Aidan Keogh, captain of Newlands golf club, and members of the 2001 committee will travel down memory lane this evening when they hold their monthly committee meeting in the Black Lion Pub in Inchicore. Newlands was founded 75 years ago as the Robinhood Golf Club which was situated about 250 years behind the present Red Cow Hotel and the meetings to form the club were held in PJ McEvoy's Pub in Inchicore, now the Black Lion.
By coincidence, an old picture of the Black Lion was found in Eddie Hackett's home after his death. Eddie, one of the gentlemen of golf, will be fondly remembered in many parts of Ireland as an exceptional course architect. And the reason for the picture was that Eddie was married to PJ McEvoy's daughter Loretta. The present owner, Liam Dillon (a member of Hermitage) has kindly reserved the lounge for tonight's unique meeting.
Strong field
The Links Golf Society have lined-up a strong field for the final outing of 2001 as they reach the halfway mark of the winter programme with the Guinness-sponsored outing to Co Louth on Thursday.
Des Smyth, the president of the Links, will be joined by Christy O'Connor jnr, Nial Manchip, Philip Walton, Gary Murphy and Jimmy Hegarty from the professional ranks while Noel Fox, Jody Fanagan, Colm Moriarty and Justin Keogh are among the top amateurs taking part.
One putt short
Edmondstown came up just a point short in the Britain and Ireland finals of the Rules of Golf Quiz at St Andrews recently. Six teams competed in the finals and Edmondstown drew Stone (who have reached this stage of the competition on the last five years) and Ely in the semi-final. And the result went down to the last question in the last round with Stone winning by a single point 40-39 (out of a possible 44) from Edmondstown with Ely finishing with 33. Stone went on to win the final beating Ashburnam from Wales.
New secretary
Six officers will be returned unopposed at the National Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland national Convention at the Gleneagles Hotel, Killarney, next Saturday (11.0 a.m.). Mervyn Cooney (St Patrick's) remains as past president in accordance with the constitution.
Long-serving national secretary Peg Smith (RGSC), who has been a member of the National Executive for 24 years, steps down and there will be a three-way contest to replace Peg. Meath secretary Mary Farrell is seeking the position along with former Kildare Co Board chairman Billy Bell (Ryston) and Michael Murphy (Old County), who recently stepped down as Leinster Council vice president after a two-year term.
Rule changes
Two important rule changes were passed at the Connacht Branch AGM in Roscommon.
Athlone's proposal that "the lowest handicap limit for participation in the Irish Junior Cup be 4, instead of the current limit of 5" was passed as was Portumna's proposal that "the handicap increase by restricted to twenty 0.1s in a calendar year".
Meanwhile, Tommy Besquille from Strandhill, the outgoing treasurer, is the new chairman of the Connacht Branch, while the new honorary treasurer is Pat Lynch from Loughrea.
Landmark year
Next year will be a landmark year for the Society of One-Armed Golfers. It will mark the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the society in Scotland in 1932.
The intervening years have seen a huge increase in the society and in its activities. Its full membership now stands at 174, but the aim is to extend that membership and to seek new blood in an effort to lift the profile and boost the cause of those who are handicapped with just one arm but who still want to play golf.
A five-year strategy of publicity and promotions has been launched in an attempt to promote their cause and boost their numbers. They will also attempt to stage the annual World Championships at prestigious courses in Ireland. The current world champion is an Irishman, Brendan Swan from Kells. He won the title in Headford earlier this year.
Society official Noel Heavey would like to hear from anyone interested in helping the society in their ambitious plans. He can be contacted by phone (0902 93744); fax (0902 93755) or e-mail: nfheavey@iol.ie
