As he embarks on a new chapter in his career Donal Gleeson is enjoying his home from home at Old Conna Golf Club just south of Dublin.
Recently promoted to Director of Golf at Old Conna Golf Club, Gleeson sees the position as rich reward having dedicated fifteen years of professional service to his boyhood club. His father was a founding member and Gleeson himself helped construct tee boxes and greens for its opening in 1987, so it is fitting that he has enjoyed such a long & prosperous career there.
“I started off as an amateur in Old Conna at the age of 12, my dad was a founder member of the club. I first set foot in the club in 1987 as a three-year-old and my brother Conor and nephew Shane are members too, so we have a lot of family connections here,” he explains.
“After a ten-year hiatus around different parts of the world I was lucky to get the Head Professional job at Old Conna and I absolutely love it. I’ve now been promoted to Director of Golf which is a huge honour for me and it’s nice after 14 or 15 years in the club that there’s still career progression and opportunities.
“After all this time here the change in role has given me a fresh perspective as I come through the doors and also new responsibilities which are very motivating and enjoyable. We have big plans here now and are launching new golf services at the Club which to provide a higher level of customer service to our members and are increasing our staffing levels with the objective of improving customer focus & service levels as well as particular bugbears like pace of play.”
“While warming up for a round in PGA National Ireland, Slieve Russell and I were hitting drivers. I hit one and I remember this sharp, shooting pain in my back and my legs. My hips became compressed and I was immobile. Nothing like anything I had experienced before.
“I had no coach growing up or anyone keeping an eye on me. My posture was pretty bad and as it turned out I was putting serious stress on my lower back all the time. Three disks eventually became herniated which was the end of my ambitions to become a tour player and even today I can’t practice too much without discomfort.”
Luckily, Gleeson had a career as a PGA Professional to fall back on and how he has enjoyed it.
“I truly believe everything happens for a reason” he says and after completing his PGA Training in 2007 the travel bug hit. He spent a period of time in Sydney, Australia at a golf store & academy prior to returning home to Ireland and his home from home at Old Conna.
Gleeson rates the PGA Programme very highly and his biggest compliment is that it is a ticket to the world.
“They didn’t even look for references they saw the qualification and offered me a job over the phone, that’s how strong the PGA qualification is.
“I have also been privileged to be welcomed into many of the top Clubs around the world. Being a PGA Member has opened so many doors and I am truly grateful.
“I also love being a club pro. To be able to develop an academy and a shop and make a living out of my passion is everything. The PGA qualification combined with Old Conna has given me a career and a workplace that I love coming into every day. I get to see golfers progress from beginners through to accomplished players and knowing I had a hand in that is extremely rewarding. Every day is different and presents different challenges, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
“I feel blessed to leave home and always look forward to arriving at the pro shop. It’s a wonderful career and the perfect one for me.”
