Dear members,
I am privileged to write to you as Captain of the Galway Association Golf Society. As a Kerryman with Galway connections (my father was born in Galway and my Grandad was bank manager at the National Irish Bank in Tuam) I am following in the footsteps of great men who have all honourably lead this society. I intend to enjoy my year and I will do my best to ensure that you enjoy yourself on the occasions you can join us throughout the year.
I am delighted to inform you that Terry Moseley is my Vice-Captain and that he is chomping at the bit to get the season underway. Terry and I are also drawn against each other in the Match Play competion so hopefully Terry will respect protocol and do the right thing!
We have a lot to celebrate but equally, as is the way with life, a lot to reflect on. We have lost several members over the years and many of us still find it hard to accept that Thady McGloin is no longer with us. Still, while we have our health, we owe it to ourselves to get out there and battle away in the never ending quest for the perfect round.
I would like to congratulate our Majors Winner; Andrew Doyle- our Golfer of the Year and US Tour winner. Well done Andrew for that notable double; truly the stuff of champions.
As usual, we begin our year with a visit to the majestic Buckinghamshire Golf Club in Denham on the 14th April. Not a place to dust off the cobwebs from the clubs and expect a good score..!
Last year we strayed a little further from home and crossed the Atlantic to visit America, Four golf courses were played at Pinehurst No.2 (US Open Course) playing well but No.8 being the best. Common consensus was that it was a “trip of a lifetime”. More of the same please for 2016.
This year The Committee has arranged our trip to the home of golf in Scotland from the 29th August to 3rd September staying in The Old Course Hotel and even playing St. Andrews itself. Please contact Pat Keary ASAP if you are interested in travelling. We have a different format this year in that we’re only having two formal group dinners allowing people to have a more relaxed approach as, while great fun, having dinner and prize-giving every night is hard on the body.
I would like to thank our Sponsors as their unwavering support ensures that we have a never ending supply of great days out. Collectively, they seem to co-ordinate the weather as well….or maybe that is down to our “lucky” President Pat Keary- a man who leaves little to chance at the best of times! Finally, my thanks to our Committee who collectively ensure that all of our events run smoothly, and to Joe Egan for doing a great job as Captain last year. As we all know great days do not’ just happen’. My Vice- Captain Terry is also looking forward to keeping me on the ‘straight and narrow’ for the year ahead.
Kind Regards for now
Dermot O’Grady
Captain 2016
Galway Association Golf Society 