Flannery new manager of Killarney Golf Club

Dingle man Cormac Flannery is the new general manager of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club — but it’s been a circuitous route back to O’Mahony’s Point.

Flannery is returning to Kerry from Bahrain, where he was golf operations manager at the world renowned Royal Golf Club.

He replaces Maurice O’Meara, who steered the club through two very successful hostings of the Irish Open in 2010 and 2011.

Chair of the golf club’s new management council, Michael O’Donoghue said yesterday: “Cormac is the right man for the job and brings a strong skill set to the role. He will assist us in implementing our strategic plans to move Killarney Golf and Fishing Club forward.”

One of the country’s premier golf clubs has endured a turbulent couple of years since the heady high of the Irish Open, selling and eventually closing its third course to an industrial neighbour and battling persistent suggestions of financial problems.

A difficult internal restructuring of club operations and membership payment terms will put Killarney on the road to recovery, management believe.

Flannery has over 15 years’ experience in the hospitality industry.

He said: “My experience at one of the Middle East’s busiest and most prestigious clubs will enable me to support the management council in achieving their goals and aspirations.”

He was the first ever Irish graduate of the Applied Golf Management Studies at the University of Birmingham and is a recognised PGA Class A Professional.

He is no stranger to Killarney from his time spent working with popular Head Pro, David Keating.