WALTER Neville is the new President of County Armagh Golf Club, taking over from Dr Oliver Woods who has held the post for the past two years.
A packed clubhouse welcomed the new President as he was presented with his new President's blazer at the inauguration on New Year's Day.
Walter Neville (right) the new President of County Armagh Golf Club is presented with his new President's blazer by outgoing President Dr Oliver Woods at the Presidential inauguration on New Year's Day
Walter joined the city club in 1971, and was elevated to Vice-Captain in 1998 before becoming Captain in 1999. For many years he also held the posts of handicap convenor and juvenile convenor.
Now playing off a handicap of 12, Walter has represented County Armagh Golf Club in many competitions down through the years - as a member of the Junior and Senior Cowdy teams, as well as Junior Cup, Rossmore Cup, Carlingford Cup, Jimmy Bruen, Pierce Purcell and Ulster Cup teams.
Married to Mabel for 38 years, and father of Mark who lives in Edinburgh, the Armagh man told club members he was honoured to be President.
“I hope also to continue the good work of recent Captains and Council and my predecessor Dr Oliver Woods to promote the wonderful facilities at County Armagh Golf Club,” he said.
“Importantly I would like to see membership return to the healthy levels we once enjoyed, and particularly to see more junior boys and girls involved in this great sport.”
Away from County Armagh Golf Club, Walter has many interests. Initially it was football and cricket which stirred his sporting involvement locally, but a serious injury at a young age curtailed ambitions.
However, along with his brother Norman, Walter has had a life-long interest in fishing. Today however, he enjoys painting in oils and watercolours and has become a keen model railway enthusiast, using his artistic bent to build landscapes for the ever-growing track at his Drumman Hill home.
Perhaps though, Walter is best known to many in the district and indeed further afield, as a singer in the very popular Neville Cromwell Band and the fact he still enjoys playing the odd gig with friends in the golf club augurs well for an entertaining two years in post as President.