Tributes to Finbar Condon

Former Monkstown GC professional, Finbar Condon, passed away just before Christmas at the age of 81.

Finbar's father, Jerry, was the greenkeeper at Monkstown GC and his son, born under the shadow of Monkstown Castle, served his time under the club's professional, Jim Higgins, registering with the IPGA in March 1956 as a 21-year-old.

When he completed his training, Finbar took up a post at Macroom GC but when Jim Higgins was tragically killed, he returned to Monkstown as head professional from 1961 to 1974. After Monkstown, he moved to Kinsale GC and spent a further 15 years working as a dedicated club professional.

Finbar loved to compete and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Christy O'Connor Snr, Gary Player, Peter Thomson and Dai Rees however, his passion was teaching and later in his career he took his skills to the continent.

In 1989 he began a four year spell teaching in France at Golf de Cornouille, Quimper. He also spent a summer season teaching at the Golf and Country Club Christnach in Luxembourg.

PGA in Ireland secretary, Michael McCumiskey, met with Finbar in December 2015 to mark his 80th birthday.

“We had some lunch in Carrigaline and Finbar recalled his years as a professional,” said Michael.

“He reflected on his playing career and how much he enjoyed his time spent as a club professional. It was an enlightening and informative afternoon.”

He leaves behind wife, Alice, and daughters Shirley and Paula, granddaughter Sophie, son-in-law Matt Petitt, sister Terry, extended family, relatives and friends.