Members spared levy for new HQ

Golf GUI a.g.m.In an example of fiscal rectitude that would be the envy of many a sporting body, the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) will only be required to dip into the top of its reserves to finance the €6.8 million move to a new headquarters and national academy at Carton House Golf Club, near Maynooth, Co Kildare.

Yesterday's a.g.m. of the GUI at Portmarnock Links was informed there will be no need to impose any further levy on club members to finance the move, with the union contributing €800,000 from its reserves to make up for the shortfall.

The rude good health is due to the sale of its old headquarters, Glencar House in Donnybrook, Dublin, for €2.9 million. A once-off levy from members of clubs last year accounted for a further €2.6 million, while there was a grant of €500,000 from the Government towards the development of the 22-acre academy, which was designed with the advice of Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke.

The GUI's administration staff will vacate Glencar House later this month to take up temporary accommodation at a business park in Maynooth while the new headquarters is constructed. It is expected to be ready early next year.

Lindsay Shanks, a member of Royal Portrush, took over from Albert Lee as the 57th president of the GUI, which is the oldest national governing body in the world. Shanks, who won a Senior Cup medal with Royal Portrush in 1979, also played interprovincial hockey with Ulster.

His predecessor as president will have a new role. Lee, a member of Mullingar Golf Club, was voted in as honorary secretary to assume the position vacated by Gerry O'Brien of Clontarf, who had held the rank for 17 years.