MARKING 50 YEARS

MARKING 5

Dave Kavanagh and Siobhan Talbot outline the 50-year-old golf society’s plans to Adam Hyland. YEARS

This year we mark the 50th anniversary of Dublin Fire Brigade’s Golf Society, and plans are in place to mark the achievement when we emerge from the restrictions brought about by the pandemic.

“Being 50 years old this year is a huge achievement,” David says as he tells me about the origins of the society. “We tried to do a little investigating to see when exactly the society was established, but it has proven quite hard to trace back and find those involved, because we are going back a long time.

“From what we can gather, there were two groups playing golf around 1969. Southside were Jim Kavanagh, Michael Carey, Jim Clerey, Tom McCabe and Tom Quirke. On the Northside you had John McEvoy, Gus Fitzpatrick, Paddy Rogers, Mick Dineen, Joe Brady, Eamonn Purcell, and the Doyle brothers. A committee was formed in 1971, and they were all involved and would have been some of the founders, but it’s hard to put the finger on exactly how it all came together.”

The first game took place on 17 August 1971 with a match against the Gardaí at Milltown, sponsored by B&I. Former FF/P Michael Keane says FF/P John Whelan had brought his baby son to watch, and that he’s 50 now.

He tells me: “There were always golfers in Dublin Fire Brigade, and there was always a sort of north/south divide based on where people were stationed, but that match was the first time members from both the northside and southside came together to represent DFB as a golf team, and the golf society came about as a result of that. I can only imagine that maybe after the golf society got together there was a realisation that there should be a social club, so maybe the Sports and Social Club came out of that first joint golf game? They showed it could be done.”

ANNIVERSARY

The anniversary was marked on 17 August at Beech Park Golf Club in Rathcoole with 90 members attending. Society Treasurer Siobhan Talbot also tells me about other plans to mark the anniversary.

“We designed and commissioned a challenge coin for the 50th anniversary, which every member will receive, and have also commissioned a new Golf Society logo, and we will issue every member with a shirt featuring this logo,” she says.

“The level of interest and eagerness to get out and play is not surprising, given that most of the year’s outings had to be understandably cancelled or postponed. We usually kick off the season in March, but because of the lockdown that was put on hold.”

David says the society is quietly optimistic for the year ahead, however. “50 years is a huge achievement and the society is going from strength to strength,” he tells me. “We have a big and enthusiastic membership, possibly the biggest in the country, and many thanks must go to the members of the committee for their hard work.

“That match against the Gardaí in 1971 was the first time members from both the northside and southside came together to represent DFB as a golf team”

The new DFB Golf Society logo and 50th anniversary challenge coin.

MAJORS

Siobhan points out that last year’s Captain’s Day did at least manage to go ahead at St Margaret’s in August. “Restrictions meant we were only allowed 50 people in total for the reception,” she tells me, “so we had to replace the big sit-down meal with people coming in and eating after they finished playing, and for the presentation we had around 20 people who were left at the end of the day – mostly the prizewinners. It was

THE COMMITTEE

Secretary: David Kavanagh Handicaps: John Phelan Time Sheet: Noel Jackson Treasurer: Siobhan Talbot

Club President Martin Gallagher.

Club Captain Karl Byrne.

Vice-Captain Lar Sweetman.

different, but at least we were able to find a way to make it work.

“We are hoping that by August restrictions will have eased and we can fully enjoy our outings. Captain’s Day will take place in Arklow on 1 September, home turf of Captain Karl Byrne, with Martin Gallagher’s President’s Day following on 28 September at Laytown.

“Those are the two Majors,” Siobhan tells me. “As with any golf club, in order to qualify for prizes you have to have been a member for a couple of years and have the prerequisite number of cards played and handed in, just to maintain the integrity of membership.”

OUTINGS

David tells me that in total there are seven outings planned for the year, with the first held on 11 June at Slade Valley Golf Club. An outing at Royal Dublin was on 29 July, with others at Laytown, Bettystown and Seapoint. The final outing of the season will be held on 19 October at Seapoint GC, where the postponed Draeger Cup match against NIFR will be held.

“Interest is huge,” David adds. “We have around 140 members, with some of the younger DFB members coming on board recently,” and this new blood adds more competition across the age spectrum.”

“The breakdown is about 70% operational and 30% retirees, although a lot of the retirees are not old people – we can retire at 55,” Siobhan says. “It also doesn’t matter what age you are, you can keep playing golf until you are nearly in the brown box.

“There is a great age profile in the golf society and one great thing about golf is that it breaks down the age barrier. If you have somebody that’s my age, and then you have someone who is 22, you are asking yourself, what do I have in common with this person? But you go out and play a round and it really does break down those barriers. Also, there is no rank in the society, or in sport in general, so you are going out with a recruit or a D/O, and it’s like two mates playing. It brings back a really nice atmosphere into the stations, which is something that is badly needed.

“New members, especially new recruits, do sometimes feel a bit nervous about coming up against a D/O or a more senior member at first,” she says, “but as soon as they see how we interact with each other, when they see the banter, they become relaxed. There is no rank on the golf course. They certainly don’t let you win!”

NEXT YEAR

Another exciting event on the horizon is the World Police and Fire Games, which were due to take place this year but will now be held in Rotterdam in 2022, and Siobhan says this could be a great way for members of the society to get involved and compete on an international level.

“We hope the world opens up again and we get a good crowd from here to go and represent DFB at it, to compete on behalf of DFB,” she tells me. “I played at the event in Belfast a few years ago and I have to say it is very well organised. You get really good courses so it’s almost like being on tour. You play as singles but you represent your organisation. We are talking about it but nothing is cemented yet because we are waiting to see what happens and when the world opens up again, to see what is possible, but if we could get a gang to go it would be great.”

David also adds that the society is open to new members at any time. “All you have to do is contact any member of the committee. It’s very easy to join. The majority of people do it through DUBCO, and it’s only a couple of Euro a week, so get in touch and make sure you are added to the society’s WhatsApp group!”

Despite restrictions, the DFB Golf Society is back in the swing, so the best of luck to all members at this year’s competitions.