The 1st January at Co Armagh Golf Club is always a very special day and a wonderful positive way to commence the new Golfing Year with the installation of Captain, Lady Captain and President and a packed Clubhouse watched the proceedings throughout the day.
Early in the afternoon, just after all the ladies had breakfast, Ellen Brady was installed as Lady Captain for 2024, receiving her blazer and brooch from outgoing Lady Captain, Lily McMullan to rapturous applause from a packed Clubhouse, followed by the installation of Ellen’s Lady Vice-Captain, Frances Davidson to equal applause from the audience.
Before breakfast in the Clubhouse restaurant, a large contingent of ladies played from early morning, the 7-hole stableford competition, with the winners being 1st Phil McKenna, 2nd Marie Tennyson and 3rd Hilary Johnston, receiving their prizes from the newly-installed Lady Captain, Ellen.
A smaller group of men played their 7-hole stableford competition later in the day, with Keith Campbell being declared the winner.
Later in the afternoon, the installation of the 2024 Captain and the 2024/25 President took place. Outgoing President, Paddy Burns called on Elizabeth Mawhinney to receive her President’s blazer, just after he had announced that history had just been made at Co Armagh Golf Club this evening, with Eizabeth becoming the 32nd President of the Club from its inception in1893, and being the first Lady to hold the post of Club President in the Club’s 130 years history. Much applause followed, after Elizabeth delivered a beautiful, heartfelt speech, thanking the outgoing President Paddy for nominating her, and the Club members for their support and stated she hoped to live up to the expectations of those members over the next two years.
The final inauguration of the day saw outgoing Captain, Gerry Kelly present the 2024 Captain’s blazer to a young 2-handicapper Neil Cromwell. In his comments, Neil thanked Gerry for nominating him for the 2024 Captaincy and stated that he was very proud and happy with many of his achievements on the golf course to date, not necessary on his own course, but on many courses throughout Ireland, and Portrush, in particular, but by becoming Captain of Co Armagh this topped the lot and was looking forward to serving the members during 2024.
The evening concluded with great music from Cunningham & Casy (from More Power to your Elbow) fame – a duo that has become part of the New Year’s Day entertainment over the last few years at the Club, thanks mainly to our Events convenor, Declan McReynolds.
The Club also wishes to thank Brenda and her staff at the Parklands Restaurant for the splendid food served during the course of the day and to Neil and his bar staff for keeping the drinks flowing throughout the day.
Club Captain for 2024 is Neil Cromwell and his Vice-Captain is Ian O'Hea
