Sports fanatic Heery assumes presidency at Tullamore Golf Club

The 28th President of Tullamore Golf Club is Co Meath native Tom Heery following his election at the recent Annual General Meeting. The role of President in Tullamore for many years was an honorary position but in recent times it has taken on added significance because the President is Chairman of the Management Committee, a tough assignment at most times but more particularly so in the current climate. Tom is well qualified to fill this position with his financial background and his experience from having served on committee and also as Honorary Treasurer for a number of years. A native of Oldcastle, Tom is a qualified accountant. He spent his early working years in England but he moved back to Ireland in 1975. In 1982, he moved to Tullamore with his wife, Julie, and their two young children, James and Clare to take up the position of Financial Controller in the new manufacturing company in Tullamore, Sherwood Medical. He spent the next 18 years there before moving to Elan where he remained until his recent retirement. Although not that involved in playing golf at the time, Tom recalls that on his first visit to Tullamore, when he came in relation to the job on offer, he called out to see what the golf club was like and was suitably impressed. Little did he know that he would get many years of enjoyment from that same club or that he would assume the highest office in the club in future years. A keen sportsman with a fiercely competitive edge, Tom's early sporting escapades were playing Gaelic football. Those who know him are very aware of his fierce allegiance to Meath and had to suffer when they were at the top a few years ago but, truth be known, Tom's early GAA background is in Cavan. As a dogged midfielder he won an U16 county championship medal playing for Castlerahan, in Cavan (parish rules allowed playing up to 16) and this achievement still comes in for mention on occasions! The following year he was not allowed play with that club and Cavan's loss does not appear to have been Meath's gain! Tom was a very accomplished squash player and his move to Tullamore enabled the Tullamore Squash team of Tadhg Lambe, Paddy Fenning, Tony Colville and, his later to be golfing buddy, Pat Delaney, to achieve the honour of winning the Leinster League Cup and promotion to Division 1 in 1985. From his arrival in Tullamore Tom took to playing golf and he did not take long to get his name on a major trophy because in 1985 he won the much coveted Briscoe Cup and he recaptured it again in 2010.He has also represented Tullamore on several teams in inter-club competitions. His proudest golfing achievement however is winning Seamus Kealey's Captain's prize in 1993. Tom has a fantastic memory of golfing performances and he continues to amaze his friends with his ability to recall not only his own performance in golf competitions but that of his friends that he was playing with. The year as President is a demanding time in the club and in the current economic climate it is proving difficult for all golf clubs with falling membership and green fees. However, Tom looks forward to the year in which the Ladies Club celebrate its centenary and in the hope that all members will support the Club to see it through these difficult years. While he hopes that the work as President will not impact too much on his playing time he says that his Club duties will take precedence. His wish for the club in 2012 is that allowing for the difficult times that pertain that course standards and club facilities will be maintained to their current high levels. Knowing Tom's commitment to the job, there is every confidence that he will succeed and all the members wish him every success in the year ahead.