Years 1987 - 1991
1987
This was the momentous year which saw the culmination of all the thoughts, hard work and energy by many people spent over the previous years with the Grand Opening of Old Conna Golf Club for its Members over the Gala Weekend of 11th 12th and 13th July.
The First Tee Shot being played by the Captain Jack Tiernan,
followed by the Lady Captain, Frances Buckley, President John L Byrne, Members of Council, Committee Members and Members. There followed a weekend of celebrations with the Clubhouse full to the rafters each night. The Fund Raising Committee had a special Opening Weekend Programme printed along with a host of advertising by Members and Friends.
A Special Opening Scorecard was also printed which along
with the Competition Book for the Weekend, stating who played is also available in our archive. When we look back at the temporary First Tee used on that Day and compare it to the beautiful, large Tee in place today, it alone shows the progress that has been made over the last 30 years.
The design of the Club Crest was also discussed at this time, the decision being held over.
Six tenders for building the new Clubhouse at Old Conna were received on 26th January 1987. The lowest tender was from Matthew Wallace. This tender was further reduced down to £255,404.36. Discussions were taking place with Matthew Wallace, regarding aspects of the construction of the Clubhouse and also regarding the conditions imposed by the local planning authority and Bye Law approval.
Dublin Corporation wrote to Club regarding the Vartry Main Water pipe which flows through the lands from beside the 5th Green through the 6thfairway and exits behind the 8th Tee Box. The Way Leave of 3 yards on either side of this Main Pipe was accepted by the Club. This pipe also incorporates an extension to the left of the 7th Tee along with the Pump House which allows a feed of 1½ inches from the pipe to provide water to the Cuffe family under an agreement reached in 1953, in perpetuity.
A letter dated 21st May from Dublin County Council agreed to allow the Club make staged half yearly payments over 5 years of the Planning Levy totalling £43,200.00. This was in addition to Planning Fees of £1,295.00.
At this time great care was being taken over Budgets. A new Budget being prepared for the forthcoming visit of Executives from Ulster bank to view the work taking place. At this time problems were arising with the septic tank from Aravon School and a letter was sent informing them of this. The school management were generally unreceptive to the Club’s suggestions and the matter was passed to Gerard Butler Solicitor for his attention. Later a letter was written to Dublin Corporation for them to investigate the condition of the septic tank.
At a Development Committee meeting on 12th June, the total development costs were now projected at £1,340,000.00
In July, a meeting was held with the contractor for the irrigation system which was finally commissioned and handed over to the Club Staff.
A design for the entrance at Ferndale Road was also being prepared. The supply of E.S B. and telephone lines was also proceeding.
Discussions were taking place with regard to the fitting out of the Bar and its operation with contact to be made with local clubs as to their method of operation.
The Fire Officer stipulated that a reservoir with a capacity of 150,000 gallons was required. This was achieved from the reservoir in front of the wall at the 18th Green. A pump house was required and was built, with the roof being completed by Jimmy Brien as a presentation to the Club.
A job specification for Secretary/Manager was in hand.
An advertisement was placed in Daily Newspapers for a new Greenkeeper, and subsequently Jim Sargent was appointed. At this stage the franchise agreement with the franchisee, B Billings, was finalised and signed by both parties.
On 10th July R.T.E. broadcast a TV interview by Fred Cogley in Old Conna, featuring the President John L Byrne.
Official Opening
On 20th July John L. Byrne gave a personal guarantee to Guinness Group in order to allow the Club open an account with Guinness for the supply of drinks for the proposed Bar. This guarantee was withdrawn on 20th December 1989 after the Club had acquired a proven track record with bill payments.
Clubhouse during construction and original completed clubhouse.
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A suggested date of the official opening of the Clubhouse was being pencilled in for 4th October. This date was moved out and the official opening took place on 18th October by John L Byrne, President. again followed by a very successful Social Night. Coverage of the opening of the new clubhouse appeared in both Irish Times and Evening Press later.
A close watch was placed on all costs, overheads and standards at this time.
Following the earlier Court Order and fine, Aravon school had to mitigate the problematic septic tank on 10th fairway. This appears to have been finalised by agreement later on in 1990.
Council agreed that Leave of Absence would only apply in cases of hardship.
Eddie Hackett wrote in October to Brian O'Kelly, Chairman Greens Committee regarding the further Development of the Course and stated how delighted he was to see the Course so busy on his visit. To end off the first year end at Old Conna a very successful New Year's Party was held in the clubhouse at which all attending celebrated the coming of the New Year in style.
The above two photos of the First Tee on the First Day and the First Tee in 2016 signify the progress that had been made at Old Conna over the intervening years.
The Bridge Club was established in 1981 in Dublin Sport G.C. was the one enduring social event through the years. The Bridge Club was now re-established in Old Conna by a Committee consisting of Frances Buckley, Carmel Kevin, Rita Flood, Vera O’Connor, and Eileen O’Brien. Martha Brawn was instrumental in attracting new-comers to the game by offering a series of lessons.
It is worth noting the valuable financial donations and equipment made to the Golf Club over the years, along with the Charity donations, amounting to many thousands of Euros each year from their hugely successful Spring Bridge Morning. Members also enjoy a Bridge & Golf break each year at Cabra Castle in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan.
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1988
Officers for 1988. President, John L Byrne. Captain, Liam Carroll. Vice captain, Eddie Moroney. Hon. Secretary, John Davitt. Hon. Treasurer, Stuart Howarth. Lady Captain, Maeve Green. Council Members, Philip Bredin, Tony Carroll, Michael Cluskey, Liam Dwyer, Paddy O’Brien, Brian O’Kelly, Jack Tiernan, Kieran Larkin and Ken Gleeson.
The Captain’s Drive-In (Liam Carroll and Maeve Green) took place on 23rd January.
The year was noted for a number of additional and remedial works taking place on the Course following the advice of Eddie Hackett and Dr Tom Kavanagh. A decision was also made early in 1988 to purchase 120, 8 x 12 foot high trees and some shrubs to define the fairways.
Don Corrigan was appointed Head Greenkeeper.
A decision was made to only accept Green Fees from Monday through to Friday.
In June the first minor indications of problems on the 4th and 5th Greens were reported.
The new Crest was approved, along with the decision to use it generally and not solely on Captain’s Blazers, which were available from Louis Copeland for £25.00.
Mel Flanagan was the Professional at this time. He was available to provide tuition to those Members who required it.
Again, as to the fact that the Club was gaining recognition locally, the Club was invited to take part in the McCrea Cup, still held in Dun Laoghaire Golf Club annually. Outside Competitions that the Club took part in were The Barton Cup, Junior Cup, Pierce Purcell and Best Cup.
The Rule regarding teeing off on 2nd before players on Green have putted was retained.
A successful weekend away took place to the Heath Golf Club.
The 1988 Ladies Bumper Day was successful as was the Children's Party.
Again, various very successful fund raising and social events took place, raising substantial amounts of money during the year under the Chairmanship of Michael Cluskey and a strong Committee. As part of the fund raising and social aspect of the Club, 130 attended the table quiz held on the 7th March along with a race night on 7th May. The following weekend, the 14th May, the official opening of the Main Greens took place. On 27th June a Race Night was held raising £2400.00 and a barbeque in July and a Mega Draw in August raised £5700.00. A Programme of Social Events was put in place for the winter. The Table Quiz, Auction, Christmas Raffle and New Year's Eve Party raised a total of £1,750.
A show case for cups considered.
A decision was taken that in future the Mid Week Competition would be played as Stableford or V Par Competitions, along with the introduction of Fourball mixed competitions. The decision was made that various Full Time Staff Members could play the Course, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, subject to Time Sheet availability. A total of 180 played in the Captain's Prize, while the Captain's Dinner was held on 18th June at £14.50 per person.
The rateable valuation of property was considered too high at £135, and it was decided to attempt to have this appealed and which was later slightly reduced.
Slow play resulted in Course Marshalling again being put in place.
A Rule that “Ladies to qualify for entry to the Lady Captains Prize must have three 18 hole Competitions cards submitted in the current year was subsequently transferred to the Ladies Committee for implementation”. Permission was granted to the Lady Captain for practise facilities for visiting teams in the Autumn Schedule.
Around this time, concern was expressed at the level and quality of service from the bar. Discussions were taking place regarding the appointment of a Secretary/Manager and the overall costs expected along with an approach to the P.G.A. that the Club were interested in appointing a Club Professional.
The Juniors won the Wicklow Cup. A special presentation was made to their team on the evening of the Captain’s Prize on 9th October.
A Special Council Meeting was held on 11th October that discussed financial matters in detail.The Hon. Treasurer stated that the financial outcome to end of June 1988 showed a deficit of £23,000. A proposed budgetary income of the following for 1989
Green Fees £11,000.00
Competitions £25,000.00
Fund Raising £15,000.00
Societies/Green Fees £14,000.00
Total £65,000.