Annual PPUI Convention 2010


The 2010 National Convention of the PPUI took place at the Springs Hotel in Athlone on Saturday February 27th. The convention was well attended with over 100 people checking in at 11am as club and county delegates and also as observers. The Offaly Co. Board was represented by three delegates, Joseph McGrath, Una Pyke and Tracey McGrath, while Joe Egan represented the Erry club and Mick Hogan as the Tullamore club delegate respectively. Following the acceptance of all the Officer's reports the convention got down to real business as the agenda reached the election of the National Executive Council Officers. It was the end of an era in some ways as the first election of the day came to the handing over of the PPUI presidency. Frank Smith (Glenville) stepped down from his position as President following a long service to the game and placed the presidency chain upon Myles McMorrow (Lakeside) who spoke encouragingly on bringing the game of Pitch & Putt forward as best he can in his term in the office as President. Myles was unopposed for the position and was nominated unanimously by those in attendance. Vice President went to Dan Cronin (Kilmichael) unopposed as Paddy Browne (Collinstown) and Liam Sheery (St. Bridget's) withdrew their nominations. Michael Murphy (Old County) was re-elected unopposed as Honorary Secretary while Breda Brophy (McDonagh) returned unopposed to her position as Honorary Treasurer. Helen McMorrow, wife of newly elected President Myles McMorrow, returned to her position as Honorary Registrar for another term unopposed as Mary Farrell (Gaeil Colmcille) withdrew her nomination. Timothy Ryan Jnr, (St. Anne's) also secured another term as Competition Secretary as he ran for the position unopposed when Paddy Browne (Collinstown) withdrew his nomination. Last year saw the welcomed return to the Council of one of the game's greatest servants Eamonn Birchall (Shandon), Eamonn who gave a well structured report of 2009 was unanimously returned for another term as Coaching/Development Officer. Padraig O'Shea (Douglas) ran unopposed and was re-elected as Public Relations/Marketing Officer. There were four Non-Portfolio positions up for decision with six nominations seeking support. Niall Reynolds (Clare Road), Paddy Browne (Collinstown) and Mary Farrell (Gaeil Colmcille) were re-elected on the count of 71, 66 and 53 respectively while Liam Sherry (St. Bridget's) made a welcomed return to the Council by securing the fourth and final position with a count of 63. Former officer of 2009 Liz Lysaght (Charleville) and P.J. Curtain (Kilmichael) were the two nominees who unfortunately lost out on a count of 40 and 41 respectively.

Following the election of the above officers there were a few more formalities to addresses before Motions could be debated and voted upon. One of which was the nomination and election of Sean Keane (Tipperary Hills) as a new Patron of the PPUI, this was due to the unfortunate death of the late Paddy Power. One of the many achievements of Sean Keane was the recent triumph in assisting the resurrection of Tipperary Hills Pitch & Putt Club. The National Executive Council of the PPUI also took the opportunity to re-introduce the Annual Club Awards at the Convention, which proved warmly welcomed by all in attendance. Tipperary Hills received a special reward for their newly resurrected club and course. Portmarnock, Dublin received the runner-up award in the 2009 Club of the Year while neighbouring Westmeath club, Kilbeggan, were named as the overall winner, to the shock and surprise of their delegates in attendance. As the winners of the Awards were kept secret it was no surprise that John Carton, Kilbeggan Officer and player, was for the first time caught for words! Congratulations to John and to all at Kilbeggan on their great achievement. We would also like to wish the incoming NEC Officers the very best of luck in their positions for 2010 and also to wish Frank Smith all the best as he seeks election as President of FIPPA (International Pitch & Putt Federation).

It was then time to hear the debate, arguments and voting surrounding the entire 63 motions and 14 recommendations. For all the motions which were passed, defeated, withdrawn and ruled out of order please click on this link: List of Motions

Following a long day which saw the Convention end at 7pm the NEC officers, delegates and guests finally took the chance to refresh themselves and dawn their glad rags as the majority of them returned at 8pm to enjoy the PPUI Dinner Dance to celebrate the year that was 2009. The evening was extra special for the Offaly guests and delegates as Offaly's and Erry's Tracey McGrath accepted the Number One Irish Ranked Ladies Award for 2009. Tracey secured this award for the very first time by securing her maiden Senior National title at Castletown in the June, the National Matchplay, and added the coveted National Strokeplay title at Glenville the following month. Achieving the National Double is a feat which has only been replicated by 5 other ladies of the game. Tracey's parents were also in attendance on the night. Congratulations to Tracey and we wish her the very best of luck in 2010 in her title defenses. During the evening presentations Billy Lynch (Clonee) was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Photos from the Convention..

Tracey with her parents Mary and Joe - No.1 Ranked Irish Lady

John Carton of Kilbeggan - Club of the Year

Mick Hogan & Liam Sherry - Newly elected NEC Officer

Tracey McGrath, Una Pyke & Mick Hogan