email: [email protected] MAY 2021 PGA head pro Conor is TaylorMade for the role With the opening of his pro shop trading under the CMK Golf banner on Friday 30th April, our Head PGA Professional Conor McKenna felt he was finally underway in his new role. Although he officially started on 1st April, he wasn’t fooled into thinking it would be all plain sailing to transition effortlessly to a new business venture during the Covid curbs. • CONTINUED ON PAGES 2/3 MEN’S CAPTAIN: PETER HILLEN LADY CAPTAIN: KATHLEEN SMYTH PRESIDENT: HARRY CARSON For everything that is good in Golf... exclusive at CMK Golf MAY 2021 email: [email protected] • continued from page 1 Whilst he was able to meet and greet members from the foyer, and familiarise himself with club systems, the big challenge was winding down his shop at Concra Wood in tandem with revamping the retail outlet at Banbridge. After weeks of hard labour by Conor and club volunteers, the pro shop has now been remodelled to enhance atmosphere and services, as well as create a swing room for a club repair service, custom fitting and indoor coaching. Some finishing touches remain, such as installation of an enlarged window, but as it stands, the refurbishment is impressive – smelling of newness and sporting a retail area stocked with apparel, bags, shoes, clubs, and accessories, along with a confectionery stand, and soft drinks and coffee vending machines. And despite supply chain disruption, stock is still coming in. Club captains Peter Hillen and Kathleen Smyth welcome our new head pro. Already, he’s been assigned an ambassador role with TaylorMade, to include demonstration days such as 4th May. Supporting him in his overall role is Josh Black, Road. His dad, Michael, was a member for 54 years and recently appointed by Conor as Assistant Pro. Josh, a well-known figure in Armagh, with his confectionery/ aged 19 and from Templepatrick, is a former Irish tobacconist business. Conor began his working life as a international and plans a career in golf through the merchandiser with a bread company before gravitating PGA trainee route. towards a career in golf. CMK Golf is part of the package that Conor brought Although a late starter to the game, having played to Banbridge upon his appointment to the position all kinds of sport up to then including football and of Head Professional, replacing Jason Greenaway who basketball, Conor took to golf quickly and saw his stepped back from golf in 2020 to take up a role in handicap reduce from 19 to 9, then 9 to 5 (and now a the family timber business. He also brings a wealth scratch golfer). “I enjoyed seven years competing in local of experience, having completed 11 years as Head and provincial tournaments and I represented the club Pro at Concra Wood Golf Club in Co Monaghan and, at many levels.” At the age of 22, he took on the job as previously, Co Armagh Golf Club. Assistant Professional at Armagh GC under Alan Rankin. “It was an opportunity to make a living out of something He’s excited at the prospect of a new start, a new club, I enjoyed,” he says. The following year, in July 1997, he and the opportunity to see what he can bring to BGC – turned professional. a more member-oriented club than the resort-type club he’s just left. And while the Covid pandemic was an Conor spent 14 happy years at Armagh GC, working hard additional challenge to getting the show on the road, he to develop a reputation as a coach and player, including was more energised than intimidated by the task that competing on the Irish region. His track record as an lay ahead. Assistant Pro speaks for itself: as well as coaching at a number of clubs and schools, including Silverwood, The stars aligned for both club and professional Lurgan, Loughgall, Benburb and Castleblaney, he helped late last year - with BGC’s job opening coming at a to develop a competitive junior section for both boys and time when Conor was seeking a change, and the job girls at Armagh (nine underage girls played for Ulster, spec meeting his expectations for coaching, retail, and two went on to represent Ireland), he was also the membership recruitment and retention. His vision Junior Golf Ireland coach for the county of Armagh, reflects that of the club: To enhance the golfer’s a coach for the Darren Clarke Schools League, and a experience from the time they enter to the time they Development Coach with the ILGU. He prides himself on leave. He says: “I want to offer the services that I would being a coach to a winning Ronan Rafferty team, as he’d want if I was a member: a well stocked golf shop, repair won the Ronan Rafferty as a junior member at Armagh facility, custom fitting, and coaching to all categories of GC in 1992. members. I want to bring a fun, family oriented feeling to the membership and, as you say, a club for all.” His goal was always to become a Head Professional at a golf club and after eight years PGA qualified, he achieved Conor began to play golf in 1990 at the age of 16 at his aim in 2010 when a job opening arose at a premier Armagh GC, close to his home on the city’s Newry golf course, Concra Wood, to become its first Head Pro. 02 email: [email protected] banbridgegolfclub.com MAY 2021 email: [email protected] • continued from page 2 He also had a vested interest in concluded that the job of a head relocating across the border as, professional was impossible without two years previously, he helped to a retainer. For the sake of himself secure the club’s future (formerly and his family - wife Maura and sons Castleblaney GC) through the sale of £185,000 of shares. Concra went on to Jamie (20) and Mark (16) - he decided be redeveloped on woodland beside to move on. Lough Muckno by Christy O’Connor Jr in collaboration with his uncle The opening at Banbridge gave him Christy Sr into a stunning scenic the opportunity to get back to a club parkland course. with a more secure financial future, and a chance to stamp his mark in “Concra Wood was my dream job and I believe I delivered all I promised its ambitious five-year development them in my time at the club,” reflects plan. Moreover, it’s close to his Conor. He felt privileged to be part home in Armagh, and allows him of the Concra team: “I worked to reconnect with players such as hard to grow the reputation and Rory Leonard, Richard Kilpatrick and course ranking, and it was a great Connor Doran. “The club has always experience. I’m very proud of what we achieved at the club in such a been renowned for producing great short time – from hosting three PGA players. I’d like to help regain that Europro Tour events 2012-2014, then reputation.” Another draw was the hosting a Challenge Tour Event in work he had seen accomplished by 2018.” He managed to raise £240,000 Head Greenkeeper Chris Moran to in sponsorship and high profile Assistant Professional Josh Black the course. Addressing membership Sky TV coverage for this event, the From managing the shop at Armagh Monaghan Irish Challenge, which he says, “All clubs are facing the attracted 120 golfers from around GC which gave him good insight into challenges of having an ageing the world - with the winner Oliver running a business, to setting up his membership, so I see my job as own retail outlet at Concra, he has Wilson, a Ryder Cup player in Nick getting that average age lowered.” Faldo’s team in 2008, finishing on built up 25 years’ retail experience 270 (-12). in the golf industry, and his business The 47 year-old’s experience and CMK Golf has benefitted from its enthusiasm for the new role is He continued his work in developing links with Europe’s largest retail underage sections and, through group, TGI Golf. TGI gives him buying evident. “I look forward to meeting summer programmes and camps, power with a group of 480 fellow golf you all and getting to know you increased junior membership from professionals/partners throughout and maybe even helping you enjoy 15 kids in 2010 to 75 in 2020. He Ireland and the UK and access to all your golf a little more. One thing is also introduced a ladies Get into the leading brands, as well as support for certain, you will receive a warm Golf programme to boost female in running a business. Conor became welcome when you come to play at membership. To complement the a TGI golf board member in 2019 and Banbridge Golf Club.” For supporters course and clubhouse, he also built issues a monthly TGI e-newsletter up a strong reputation in coaching, to members to inform them of new of Manchester United and the Co retail and member services - developments in the golf industry. Armagh GAA team, you’ll be pleased providing members and visitors with to hear he’s in the same camp! a well-stocked and competitively However, in common with his priced golf shop, a club repair service, professional colleagues, his business Welcoming the appointment, Council a modern swing room for custom was hit by the arrival of the Covid Chairperson Paddy Malcolmson says, fitting and lessons, Flightscope/ pandemic last year. Course closures “We are certain that Conor will be Trackman 4 for swing and ball flight forced Concra Wood to make tough a tremendous asset as we strive to analysis, an 8-bay driving range, financial decisions.