Brendan is new Captain at County Armagh
BRENDAN Smyth has been announced as the new Captain of County Armagh Golf Club.
The Drumsallen man was presented with his new navy-blue Captain's blazer by outgoing Captain Tom Calvert in front of a packed clubhouse.
A member of County Armagh since 1971, the affable Brendan has held a number of posts in the club, including, last year, Greens Convenor when he was also Vice-Captain.
He has captained the club's Junior Cowdy team and Craigavon Senior Shield team on several occasions down the years and up until last year could boast an unbeaten run in all matches in which he played. His name is also engraved on the club's coveted Tuesday Cup as a previous winner.
Brendan retired from his mobile grocery business in 2003 after some 18 years delivering to rural families in the Ballymacnab, Granemore, Birches and Annaghmore areas. His mushroom farming business at Drumsallen gave him more opportunity to play the game and he modestly recalls achieving a handicap of 13. Today it's 20, but he readily admits he plays for the craic now and not so much the competition of the game.
Speaking at his inauguration, Brendan commented: "I honestly never believed I would one day be Captain of County Armagh Golf Club. It is a real honour and I hope I can carry the role as professionaly as all of those who have gone before me.
"I am really looking forward to all that is involved in the captaincy and I wish all our members every success in the many competitions - individual and team - to be played in the forthcoming year."
Mervyn Watts won the the new Captain's Inaugural 9-hole competition with an excellent 24 stableford points - one of the few competitions to played to date due to the inclement weather.
The first Sunday Stableford competition of the new year was won by Paddy Duffy with 48 points.