Long-serving Michael McCumiskey given memorable send-off
05/10/2021
Dundalk Golf Club, a who’s who of Irish PGA pros, plus friends and associates accumulated during his 35 years of service as The PGA in Ireland’s manager have given Michael McCumiskey a memorable send-off following his retirement.
McCumiskey retired in May and the occasion was marked earlier this week by a pro-am and dinner organised by Dundalk Golf Club, The PGA in Ireland’s headquarters for all but one year of his time in the role.
“I was appointed in 1986 and we moved to Dundalk in the following year,” McCumiskey recalled.
“It’s been a really happy marriage. We’ve promoted the club whenever possible, held events there and had a great relationship with all the managers.”
The latest, John O’Sullivan, was the driving force behind the day that celebrated the long-serving PGA in Ireland manager’s retirement and his dedicated service.
“I told John when I was due to retire and he immediately said there should be an event at the club to mark it,” McCumiskey explained.
“Not only did he talk about it, he got the club to approve the staging of the event. Then he worked tirelessly to get sponsors for the day and make it the huge success it was.”
The event also celebrated the long association involving Dundalk Golf Club and The PGA in Ireland and Conor Dillon, McCumiskey’s successor, added: They over-delivered on the event and supported it exceptionally well.
“The weather was good, the field was over-subscribed and Michael was given the perfect send-off.”
In addition to the day celebrating his retirement and long service, the club has given McCumiskey full membership.
Moreover, at the post-pro-am dinner, The PGA in Ireland chairman, Gary Chambers, presented McCumiskey with a commemorative Galway crystal plate donated by the country’s PGA Members.
The dinner also featured speeches from Dundalk Golf Club’s captain, Trevor Giff, The PGA in Ireland captain Michael Kavanagh, and PGA chief executive Robert Maxfield.
Reflecting on McCumiskey’s work for The PGA in Ireland and the Association, Maxfield said: “It’s testament to the high esteem in which Michael is held in Ireland that today’s event has been so well-supported.
“That esteem is the result of the 35 years of dedicated, exemplary and loyal service he has given The PGA in Ireland’s Members and the Association.
“I thank him for his invaluable contribution and wish him a long, happy, healthy and well-deserved retirement.”
McCumiskey, however, was not the sole beneficiary from the day’s activities. Proceeds from the event have been given to the PGA Benevolent Fund and Simon Thornton and Colm Moriarty were winners out on the course.
Their negotiations of a course in superb condition resulted in them posting five under par rounds of 67 to finish tied-first two shots clear of Tim Rice and Richard Kilpatrick.
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