Munster Council elect new officers

Retired Garda John Moloughney (Templemore) has been elected Chairman of the Munster Council of the Golfing Union of Ireland.

Moloughney, the outgoing Council honorary secretary, defeated Michael Lawler (Tralee) in a contest at this week’s AGM. The outgoing chairman, Liam Martin (Castletroy) has been nominated as President-elect of the GUI at the AGM next February. Moloughney has been replaced as secretary by Jim Long (Monkstown) while honorary treasurer, Michael Murphy (Tramore) and honorary match secretary, Liam Harkin (Muskerry) were returned unopposed. Dan O’Sullivan (Ballybunion) will be a branch delegate to the Central Council of the GUI.

A proposal from Castletroy that all players in competitions must complete 18 holes before their score may be considered for handicap adjustment will have Munster’s support going to the Union AGM although it is understood that a review of the situation is coming down the line from the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU).

One of the more interesting motions came from the Ulster club, Rockmount. They advocated that “in light of the healthy bank balance held by the GUI and the poor economic climate in which quite a few clubs are struggling financially, that the GUI subsidise teams getting to the All-Ireland finals in 2013 and thereafter in the following competitions: Cups and Shields, Fred Daly Trophy, Irish Junior Foursomes and Irish Junior Foursomes.”

The delegates were informed by the chairman that the Branch was in receipt of a letter from Rollo McClure, the Honorary Treasurer of the Union, that pointed out certain facts of which the delegates might have been unaware. McClure pointed out there would be no increase in entry fees for the competitions over the next three years; that from 2014 the finals would take place at Carton House with a consequent decrease in costs to the club; that state grants were likely to be reduced; that there was a doubt concerning the sponsorship from Golfsure and that the Union anticipated a rise in expenditure over the coming years.

While there was general sympathy for the motion, the meeting accepted the current circumstances should continue.

Provincial Council: Gordon Adair (Douglas), Eric Brick (Dooks), Phil Cooney (Lee Valley), Tom Donnelly (Youghal), Pat Dunne (Roscrea), Peter English (Limerick), John Fennessy (Clonmel), Kevin Glynn (Lahinch), Barry Lynch (Raffeen Creek), Jim Lynch (Glengarriff), Michael P Murphy (Newcastle West), Pat O’Dwyer (Kenmare/Ring of Kerry), Sean O’Leary (Mahon), Dan O’Sullivan (Ballybunion), Brian Punch (Castletroy), Joe Rouine (Adare Manor).