History of Old Conna Golf Club
The roots of Old Conna Golf Club goes back to The Dublin Sport Golf Club, which played out of The Golf Course belonging to and held under Licence from The Dublin Sport Hotel, Kilternan, Co. Dublin. The Hotel itself was formerly The Pat Quinn Club in the early to mid 1970's, and prior to this period was owned by the Opperman Brothers, which had traded as a Hotel and 5 star restaurant. During this time an 18 Hole Golf Club attached to the Pat Quinn Club was formed under the name of Kilternan Golf Club where on the 27th October 1973 an application was made to the Leinster Branch of the Golfing Union of Ireland to join. The application was signed by Patrick D Conroy as Secretary and Patrick J Quinn (Pat) as Chairman and is on file.
Following the demise of The Pat Quinn Club, and being offered for sale by Public Auction, jointly by Lisney & Son, and Keane, Mahony, Smith, on Wednesday 10th April 1974, Patrick Cosgrave (Paddy) purchased the Club; Changed the name to The Dublin Sport Hotel and opened the Course for casual Green fees in June 1975. An advertisement was placed in the Irish Times on June 17th 1975 to this effect. A letter dated 1st September 1976 inviting applications for an Annual Green Fee Membership was also circularised.
As the numbers playing increased to 120, some of those Members got together with Patrick Cosgrave and decided to investigate the forming of a Golf Club again under the auspices of the G.U.I. A General Meeting of the Annual Green Fee Members was called for Tuesday 28th June 1977, in The Dublin Sport Hotel, at which approximately 100 members attended. It was chaired by Mr John Kavanagh, Manager of the Hotel. Mr Brendan Walsh, Solicitor for the hotel attended on behalf of the Management. Mr Ivan E.R. Dickson, General Secretary, Leinster Branch G.U.I. was also in attendance. A Working Party was set up which consisted of the following people: Dr Lorna Browne, Jim Meaney, John Byrne ( John L ), Jim Cluskey, Bob Pelissler, Reg. Keating
The Working Party understood its brief to be:
1. To negotiate with Hotel Management on behalf of the members, in order to secure satisfactory tenure of the Golf Course and other necessary facilities in return for a reasonable fee.
2. To ascertain the requirements of the G.U.l. for Club affiliation and to submit proposals for fulfilling these requirements.
3. To recommend to the Members, a suitable Club Constitution and proposals for working arrangements with the Hotel.
4. To conclude the above and report back at the 2nd Meeting of Members on 26th July 1977.
The Working Party duly reported back to a General Meeting, again held in the Hotel on Tuesday 26th July 1977, with the following Agenda:
1. Adoption of Report.
2. Resolution to form Golf Club.
3. Resolution to adapt Club Constitution and Rules.
4. Resolution to apply for G.U.I. Membership.
5. Resolution to agree to be bound by G.U.I. Rules.
6. Nominations for Officers and Council Members.
7. Election of Officers and Council Members.
8. A.O.B.
9. Conclusion
The Working Party had held a number of Meetings during the period and came back with a lengthy report setting out the priorities and requirements of establishing a Golf Club under the auspices of the G.U.I. and to meet the wishes of the Hotel they had suggested the name “Dublin Sport Golf Club” . The following is a summary under the various headings from the Working Party:
1. Demand for a Club. From the attendance at the first Meeting, they were satisfied that that demand existed.
2. Club Structures.
3. Club Facilities.
4. Co-Operation with Hotel. Hotel throughout negotiations confirmed their goodwill for the formation of a Club.
5. A Proposed Constitution. See under Constitution.
6. G U I affiliation.
7. Tenancy Agreement. The Hotel had undertaken to prepare draft of same, which the Party considered would be fair and reasonable.
8. Membership Limited to 200, perhaps expanded to 250 by year end.
9. Fees. Because of limited numbers the Hotel required a further £5.00 raising the hotel share of Membership to £30.00 and a further £8.00 to run the Club and pay G U I fees for 1978. If however G.U.I. affiliation was achieved in 1977 an additional sum may be required.
10. Entrance Fees. The working Party suggested that an entry fee be charged for new members, but not to those who had paid the Annual Members Green Fee of £25.00 for the current year, the amount to be decided by Incoming Council.
11. Other Membership Classes. Associates to include, Lady, Six Day, Five Day, University, Junior, Juvenile, and Family Associate.
12. Casual Green Fees. To be remitted in Full by Club to the Hotel. Conditions to be agreed.
13. Hotel Guests. Hotel required Golf facilities to be made available to their Guests.
14. I D tag to be provided.
15. Bye-Laws. Suitable Bye-Laws to be introduced by Incoming Council.
16. Insurance. To obtain advice regarding what insurance is required immediately.
Constitution.
1. The name of the Club will be “Dublin Sport Golf Club.”
2. The Game. Played under the Rules of the Royal and Ancient Club of Saint Andrews.
3. Management. To be vested in Council. With President, Vice President, Captain, Vice Captain, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, 4 Members and 1 person nominated by the Hotel.
4. Election of Council. All Officers and Members to be elected at the A.G.M. to be submitted in writing 10 days before the A G M signed by 2 Members of the Club along with the nominee signing, that if elected, is willing to act as an Officer or Council Member of the club.
5. Vacancy on Council. Shall be filled by Co-option subject to holding office until next A.G.M.
6. Annual General Meetings.
a. To be held in the Month of May each year.
b. The Agenda to be drawn up by the Hon. Secretary to provide the following:
1. Hon. Treasurers report.
2. Hon. Secretary’s Report.
3. Election of Officers and Council Members
4. Notice of Motions.
7. Any Motion proposing alterations to or additional Rules, must be in 28 days before A.G.M.
8. Voting by Ballot requiring a vote of two thirds plus one vote to succeed.
9. Quorum to be 20 Members.
Annual Subscriptions for 1977/78
Full Membership £38.00 Hotel received £30.00 with the G.U.I. receiving £3.00
Lady Associate £23.00
6 Day Associate £30.00
5 Day Associate £20.00
University Associate £20.00
Juvenile Associate £10.00
As can see from the above figures there was not much surplus to run a Golf Club.
