Noel Cassidy (1945 – 2024)

Noel Cassidy, who has passed away at the age of 78, was destined to become a golf professional given the family boasted seven of them at one stage.

Originally from Waterford, Noel first swung a golf club at the age of five and was playing off scratch a decade later.

He went on to serve three clubs in his career, starting in 1973 with Castletroy, County Limerick, three years prior to becoming a PGA Member.

Noel was there as club professional for the best part of 30 years before he spent a short spell at Limerick County Golf Club. He followed up by taking over the running of Rathbone Golf Club, a municipal facility on the cusp of Limerick in 1998.

His office there featured several images of him in the company of such celebrities as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Bob Hope. His favourite, however, was one of him with Arnold Palmer that was taken during a practice round before the 1976 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

Noel, who was renowned as a coach and a gentleman, retired in 2009. He is survived by Orla, his partner, daughters Carolyn and Diane, brother Dennis, sister-in-law Yvonne, and grandchildren Lisa and Dylan. The PGA extends heartfelt condolences to them and Noel’s other family members and friends.