When I joined Fortwilliam Golf Club over 20 years ago, I never thought I would have the honour to be invited to be Captain of this wonderful Golf Club. 

I would like to thank our immediate past captain, Mr Seamus Shields, for nominating me and affording me the privilege to accept this position.  I truly hope that I will carry on with the superb work and example that Seamus showed during his captaincy.

I am sure that I will have to call upon the services of the Council members throughout the year for guidance and advice and would also thank them for the tremendous work they perform year on year. 

I welcome those newly elected members to Council at our recent AGM, Bill McLernon, Leslie Leopold, Jim McDonnell and Noel McCann and would also like to thank Mr John Molloy for his time and effort whilst working as a Convenor during his time on Council.  Congratulations to Mr Jim McGinn on his election as Trustee.

I would extend my congratulations to the incoming Ladies Captain, Mrs Anne Marrion McCambridge and Vice-Captain Mrs Patricia McBride and look forward to working closely with them to ensure both sections of the Club, male and female, have a successful and enjoyable year.

I also extend my best wishes to the incoming Junior Captain Owen Donnelly.

Throughout my year as Captain I will strive to ensure that the Club continues to flourish and assure members that I will work tirelessly to this end. 

Fortwilliam Golf Club is widely regarded as being a friendly, hospitable and a pleasant place to be a member of and this is something we must protect and enhance to ensure members enjoy the amenities as much as possible. 

Inclusivity is an integral part of a golf club’s life and I would encourage members to play their part. I shall be approaching all golfing groups/societies within the Club to invite them to meet with me to discuss ways that we could improve our golf club.  I believe openness and transparency is the only way that the club can truly maximise its resources and members’ talents. 

Finally, golf and golf teams are the lifeblood of this great club and I wish all our club teams every success in the various Ulster and All-Ireland competitions.