GUI a.g.m.: Rather than wait for others to set the agenda, the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) - the oldest governing body in world golf - has decided to look to the future by committing to establishing a National Golf Centre at Carton House in Maynooth, Co Kildare. It is estimated the cost of the project will reach €4 million.
Originally, the GUI had backed plans for a golfing academy to be built as part of the national sports campus at Abbotstown, in north Dublin. However, once those proposals fell victim to the downturn in the economy, the GUI investigated other avenues which has led to a decision to relocate from its administration offices in Donnybrook. The move is expected to be completed by late 2004 or early 2005.
Delegates to the GUI's annual general meeting in Portmarnock yesterday were unanimous in making the decision to move to Carton House, where two courses - one designed by Mark O'Meara, the other by Colin Montgomerie - have been built. The GUI plans to buy the freehold on a 22-acre site within the demense where it will build administration offices and convert a former gamekeeper's cottage in to a golf museum.
The focal point of the project, however, will be the golfing academy. Ireland's leading professionals Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley - all products of the GUI coaching structures - have offered to provide input into its design, which will include a number of holes, a short game area, putting greens and state-of-the-art driving bays.
Much of the move will be financed by the sale of the GUI's headquarters on Eglington Road in Donnybrook.
"Delegates to the a.g.m. saw it as an exceptional opportunity," remarked the new GUI president, Michael "Skip" O'Donoghue. The GUI has long believed there is a need for such facilities, and Carton's Conor Mallaghan described the initiative as "a wonderful fit" for what they are seeking to achieve at the facility.
Meanwhile, Mark Gannon has succeeded Eddie Dunne as captain of the Irish team, while former Walker Cup selector Rupert de Lacy Staunton has been added to the selectors alongside Padraig Hogan, Michael Burns and David Young.
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: M O'Donoghue (Galway). President-elect: A Lee (Mullingar). Hon Secretary: G O'Brien (Clontarf). Hon Treasurer: R McClure (Malone). Committee: J Lynch (Limerick), T Basquille (Strandhill), J Brett ( Douglas), B Doyle (Carlow), L Shanks (Royal Portrush), D Clarke (Athlone), F Buckley (Hermitage), S MacMahon (Adare Manor), P J Collins (Co Armagh).
Irish team captain: M Gannon; selectors - P Hogan, M Burns, D Young, R de Lacy Staunton.
Irish youths' captain: M Burns; A McIlraith (convenor); selectors - C Gannon, F Buckley, J Graham.
Irish boys' captain: C Burke; selectors - C Gannon, F Buckley, J Graham.
Irish seniors' captain: J Lynch.
CONGU representatives: A Lee (Mullingar), B Black (Malone).
STRI representative: E O'Connor (Donegal).
EGA representative: I Bamford (Royal Portrush).
Greenkeeper training representative: J Carroll (Dundalk).
Golf Foundation representative: P O'Sullivan (Monkstown).
CONGU SSS & Handicap representatives: M Cashman (Cobh), S McBurney (Massereene).
