Minutes of AGM 2023
MINUTES OF AGM 2023
Apologies received from Maureen Waters, Maura Gillen, Danny and Moira Walsh.
Secretary Mary opened the meeting and welcomed President Brian, Captains James and Noranne, Lady President Kathleen and all members present. Mary asked for all to observe a minutes silence in memory of those members, and member’s relatives whom we have lost in the last year. She offered condolences to all families bereaved.
Minutes of AGM 2022 were then read, there were no matters arising and Brian O’Sullivan proposed the minutes be signed, seconded by Judy Curley.
President Brian then delivered his address. Brian stated that it was an honour to serve as President and he had a most enjoyable and fulfilling two years. He continued by stating that prior to taking position as President he was out of touch with all that was involved in running the club and he was now amazed and in awe of all the input and dedication that was done by all our volunteers, admin in the office, cleaning clubhouse, tea/coffee for visitors, lock up of clubhouse, buggy management and much else. He stated that a saving of over €50,000 or €150 per member per year was made by the work of these volunteers.
Brian said that looking over the past two years his highlights were, the success of Quentin Carew, development and growth of our Juvenile Academy including our Golf 4 All programme, increase in our membership and our super fundraising efforts.
Brian said that he was very pleased to see the course improving and happy to report that there are plans to continue to modernise and improve the course. He only wished he was starting again as a young man.
Brian concluded by thanking the two Lady Presidents he worked with Deirdre and Margaret, and he wished the incoming committee all the best for 2024.
Captain James was then invited to give his address.
James welcomed Lady Captain 2023 Judy, Lady Captain 2024 Noranne, President Brian, and incoming President John and incoming Captain Greg.
He said that it had been a privilege and honour to serve as Captain of Edenderry and District Golf Club and he had huge respect for all those who have held the position in the past and wish Greg the best for 2024.
James stated that 2023 had been a very successful year for the club while it was also very challenging in terms of weather and playability. Our course committee group, course development group, outside experts, main committee and course team are all working together to develop future proofing plans to ensure our course is in the best position possible to withstand future weather years like 2023.
James said that for 2023 he had set two key objectives
- Repay those members who had contributed through members loans in 2020
- Build a fully resourced course team with best practice structures in place.
We have thankfully achieved both goals and in this regard a massive thanks is owed to our finance team under treasurer Brenny McGrath and our course team under Alan Maher and Kevin Gallagher. A special thanks to David Fanning on his work with AIB regarding our new club loan. These two key steps will facilitate the future growth and prosperity of the club.
Working with Lady Captain Judy has been a joy, a top class individual who brought serious energy and drive to the club’s leadership in 2023. To club Secretary Mary a big thank you I could not have done this role without your help.
He thanked Presidents Brian and Margaret for their service to the club in 2023, Margaret for her fundraising efforts and Brian for his work with Governance committee. James offered a big thank you to all working on the sub committees without whom the club could not function.
James gave a special word of thanks to all those involved in fundraising this year, probably the most successful year in fundraising to date.
James wished Will Flynn all the very best of luck in the future as our new head greenkeeper and also thanked David Coleman for all his work as head greenkeeper throughout some lean years and he wished him all the best in his future career.
James concluded by saying he is more optimistic about the future of this great club than ever before. This optimism lies in our recent receiver appointed in 2018 to solid financial footing today. It also lies in our present, a proper resourced course team with outside expert advice, with new top class machinery going to deliver a top class golf course. Also in the present an incredibly successful juvenile academy churning out great golf talent.
Most important of all his optimism lies in our future, our future leaders Greg and his committee, our developing of and people on course, our growing membership base, our future golfing talents. The possibilities for this club are limitless.
Secretary Mary then gave her report, she stated that it had been an honour to serve as secretary in 2023. She had the pleasure to bear witness to all the hard work done by the Committee throughout the year and see the achievements and progress created from this hard work. She congratulated Captains James and Judy and Presidents Brian and Margaret who led from the front throughout the year. She offered thanks to all the committee members who worked in unity for what was best for the club, she said she would resist from naming individuals as they are too plentiful.
Our new Governance Committee, led by President Brian spent many hours reviewing our Constitution and brought it in a line with the Good Governance Practice of Golf Ireland. She congratulated the Finance team for the trojan work they did – repaying members loans and reducing debt yet again. The fundraising committee also worked successfully in adding to our funds. All these events will be discussed further in the finance report.
Mary said that many developments had occurred both on the course and in the clubhouse and these will also be discussed further in the finance report but on a personal note Mary wished to thank those who rolled up their sleeves, climbed the ladders with paint brushes and electric drills in hand to give the function room a much needed uplift. A special thanks to Gretta for overseeing this project.
In concluding Mary thanked all who give of their time and efforts to make our juvenile/junior academy the great success that it is. In acknowledging the achievements of our elite young golfers competing successfully the length and breadth of Ireland I do not forget the volunteers, this year in excess of 25 volunteers helped make our summer camp a success.
Mary wished the incoming Captains Greg and Noranne and incoming Presidents John and Kathleen the very best for 2024.
The accounts for 2023 had been posted to our ClubNet app prior to the meeting, treasurer Brenny then addressed the meeting and gave an overview of our financial affairs for 2023.
Brenny stated that this is his second year on the job and we are now in a good place to look forward. The member’s loans have been repaid and the debt re-financed. To put it all in context in 2020 the club owed €800K it now has a debt of €280K to all the members who helped a big thank you. Brenny offered a special word of thanks to Siobhan O’Callaghan and John Sheehan for all their work in ensuring repayment of members loans.
Brenny continued by speaking of the Course Investment and Development, we have increased staff numbers, upgraded machinery by purchasing a tractor and trailer and fairway mower. He thanked the Ladies Section for their contribution of €5,000 to this. We continue progress in tree felling, together with bridge repairs. Our new water tank and irrigation system is now complete, thanks to the final payment of the Capital Sports grant which was €54K in total.
In our House Development the bathrooms have been upgraded, the restaurant roof repaired thanks to grant received from Drehid (€7,600) and our security system restored thanks to grant from Offaly County Council (€1,300) Brenny thanked Kevin and Mary Farrell for their efforts to secure these grants. Other small grants were received from Golf Ireland and Offaly Sports Partnership for the Juvenile Section. Brenny also thanked member Finbar McGrath for securing a grant from Intel of €5,000.
In our fundraising efforts it has been a wonderful year, starting with Eden Chorale event, Poker Classic, 50-50 draws Drive in fastest record event, Master Predictor and finally the great success of the Classic. Brenny offered thanks to all the fundraising committee and incoming captain Greg, Kevin Farrell and Ciaran McDonnell for their drive and hard work during the year.
Brenny said that a great thank you is owed to registrar Deirdre Feely for her work in processing subs, and to John Sheehan and Ann Gunning for work with societies. He stated that our future is bright as we are working with a good surplus which allows us plan for the future.
Brenny concluded by offering a very special thank you to Siobhan O’Callaghan for her work on day to day finances for the club.
Brenny noted from the accounts the following
The bar sales are good, we registered for VAT this year, due to increased party events
Subs very good
Green fees and societies good.
Poor weather reduced competition receipts
Fundraising income very good
Increased wages but this could be seen as an investment rather than expense
Cost of machinery increasing but we are trying to purchase new rather than second hand
The running costs of all businesses are increasing but our cash balance is healthy
Brenny then asked for question from the floor regarding the accounts, there were none.
Treasurer Brenny then proposed the appointment of Walsh Kealy & Co as auditors for the club. Agreed by all.
The Secretary then introduced the Motions
- The subscription rates for 2024 will remain the same as 2024.
Proposed by Brenny McGrath
Seconded by James Farrell
This motion was deemed passed by members
- A sustainability (development) levy of €75 is retained for 2024 on all categories of members excluding Juveniles and Full Time Student.
Proposed by Brenny McGrath
Seconded by Eoin Osborne
This motion passed by members
- Given the significance of the role of the new Chairperson of the Committee and the need to ensure they have the requisite expertise and experience in chairing meetings and understand good governance practices as stipulated by Golf Ireland I propose that such Chairperson be appointed a the Club’s AGM rather htan at the first meeting of the Committee.
Proposed by Joe O’Connell
Seconded by Justin McDonnell
In discussion of this motion Captain James stated that the Chairperson only chairs the meetings and President Brian stated that it would be difficult to do this at an AGM.
Joe O’Connell withdrew his motion.
Then followed the ratification of incoming President, Men’s and Ladies Captains and Junior Captain.
President
In introducing the incoming President John Sheehan, President Brian stated that this man, an excellent member who has and continues to work so hard for the benefit of the club – he looks after our ClubNet, introduces new members, societies, sponsorship of the POY competition, latest venture Kildare Senior Alliance. Brian formally introduces John Sheehan as our Club President for 2024/2025.
In accepting John thanked Brian for asking him, He stated that while born in Cork he moved to this area for work commitments and joined Edenderry Golf Club in 1998, he loves playing golf here – a great atmosphere and great members. John urges the members to do what they can to continue the development of the club.
Captain
Outgoing Captain James then introduced the incoming Captain Greg Farrelly. He said that Greg had been very supportive to the members buy out deal in 2020, and this year spearheaded the very successful Classic event. He thanked Greg for stepping into the role and wished him well for the year.
On accepting the position Greg first thanked James and Fiachra for proposing him for the position of Captain. He stated that it is a great honour to serve the club as Captain for 2024.His greatest hope for 2024 will be to continue to work with the course committee and staff to help produce even more improvements to the course. He wished the incoming Lady Captain Noranne and Lady President Kathleen the best of luck for the year and looks forward to working with them.
Lady Captain replied with thanks and said that she looks forward to 2024 and working with committee to aid the club move forward from our recent difficult past. She wishes Lady President Kathleen the best of luck.
Captain Greg then introduced the incoming Junior Captain Vinny Leech. – a great golfer and future of our Club
Vinny accepted the role and stated that his vision for 2024 is to foster a welcoming environment where every junior member feels valued and inspired to enhance their golf experience. Let us build a community where friendships are formed. He continued to state that his second goal is to ring a Junior Pennant to the club in 2024. Vinny congratulated outgoing Junior Captain Stephen for his great leadership in 2023.
There followed the election of the committee
President: John Sheehan Captain: Greg Farrelly Lady Captain: Noranne Callagy Secretary: Eoin Osborne Treasurer: Brenny McGrath Ex Officio: James Farrell Captain elect: Ciaran McDonnell Registrar: Deirdre Feely Lady Vice Captain: Deirdre Maloney
Committee members: Alan Maher, Ronnie Farrell, Siobhan O’Callaghan, Mary Farrell, Ger Lawlor.
There was no other matters arising so meeting concluded.