THE KERRYMAN WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10 2008
BY GER WALSH
THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN FOR CLUBHOUSE CRITICS TO PUT UP OR SHUT UP
It’s that time of year again when the talk at the clubhouse bar comes to the forthcoming AGM. “Who is going to be elected to committee?” will it be a quiet affair?” or “Is the top table in for a night of awkward questions from the perennial cranks on the floor” are just some of the questions posed at every golf club bar in the country around this time of year. There’s an old saying that goes ‘empty vessels make the most noise’ and that’s usually the case where AGM’s are concerned.
You know the type. He’s the one that sits at the bar all year long and complains about everything. The state of the greens, the selection of the Pierce Purcell team, the women having the tee for too long and the price of the pint are some of his usual complaints-and don’t forget that he is an expert in every field.
What happens when the AGM comes around? Not a word from our friend. He sits at the back of the room listening to proceedings and offering those around him a running commentary. He’ll never have the guts to stand up and speak and there’s no chance that he will ever put his name forward for election to a committee, but he will criticise those on committees who are giving the time for the betterment of the club. Sounds familiar does it? Of course it does!
These guys are in every golf club in Ireland and as we all know that golf club politics is worse than the carry on in Dail Eireann. But would we have it any other way? I don’t think so.
Four of Kerry’s clubs held their annual meeting over the past weekend and new captains are now in place at Ballybunion, Dooks, Killarney and Waterville. There are several more on the way before the end of the month before the talk will turn to another topic like the Winter League or the forthcoming Cups and Shields, giving our resident expert more fodder for future rantings.
(we would like to thanks Kerry O’Shea for his help in preparing the script for publication)