‘He made the club what it is today’: Kilkenny club honours much-loved legend
From this week’s Callan Notes in the Kilkenny People
Callan Golf Club was delighted to welcome Margaret Duggan, along with her children Brian, Tomás and Maria, recently for the official opening of the Murt Duggan Bridge, named in honour of her late husband, Murt, who made a greatly valued contribution to the club over many years.
Murt Duggan held a number of important positions within Callan Golf Club. He served as Men’s Captain in 1976 and as President in 1984 and 1999. He also gave 21 years of dedicated service as Secretary of the club.
In recognition of his outstanding commitment and service, Murt was awarded the title of Honorary Life President of Callan Golf Club.
To most of the golf club members Murt was Mr. Callan Golf Club. He was the man that made the club what it is today. He was one of the driving forces behind the modernisation of the club, purchasing the extra land so as to turn the course into an eighteen-hole course.
Murt lived and breathed the golf club and spent most of his spare time there. If he wasn’t golfing, he was either working around the place or meeting and greeting. That’s the way he was, he had a great way about him and made every feel most welcome to the club.
Above everything else Murt will always be membered for his close association with the Emerald Golf Society in New York. They first came to play in Callan in 1979 and that began a long association with the club.
Murt along with the Emeralds created Emeralds Golf Day each September in Callan. It was always a huge event, so much so that Waterford Glass became its main sponsor.
Of course the Emeralds had a fair scattering of Tipperary men involved and as a proud Tipp man Murt loved all the banter between the Tipperary members and Kilkenny.
Each year the Emeralds came to Ireland prior to the All-Ireland finals when they were held in September. The week after the hurling final, many members of Callan Golf Club would take a week’s holiday so as to join with the Emeralds in playing great local courses such as Kilkenny, Birr, Castlecomer, Roscrea and of course at Callan for the big event which was always played on a Thursday.
It was always a wonderful day in Callan and even a greater night with Murt as Master of Ceremonies.
Probably the most poignant night at Callan Golf Club was on Thursday, 13th September 2001, which was a couple of days after the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York.
It had been a strange week leading up to that Emeralds Day and a cloud of sadness was very evident with the people from New York.
The great Tipperary man Ambrose O’Connell was one of the main driving forces of the society and had been returning to Ireland for the Emeralds week for many years.
When Ambrose began to address the gathering at Callan Golf Club you could hear a pin drop. He told us that he worked in the Twin Towers and he knew that many if not all his work colleagues had been killed in the attack.
That week was tough for everyone, but Murt Duggan made sure for the good of everyone that the golf continued. It can’t have been easy for the New Yorkers or for Murt, but he made it happen.
Murt and his wife made several trips to play golf with the Emeralds in the USA as did many Callan Members.
It is only fitting that Callan Golf Club honoured Murt’s contribution and great service to the club and the Murt Duggan Bridge will be a constant reminder of a great club man.