Minutes of the meeting of Coleraine Probus Club

Attendance: 46 members.

The Club President, John Graham, welcomed members to the meeting. The members were informed that because of the NW 200 Practice on the 12 May the Club Quiz and Lunch will now be held on Tuesday 5 May. The Peter Ferris talk will be postponed until the Probus Meetings resume on the 1 September 2015. The President then introduced our speaker for the morning, Mr Maurice McAleese, the topic of his talk being “Echoes of the Open Glory – Portrush 1951.”

Maurice trained as a journalist with the Coleraine Chronicle and as such was responsible for compiling “The Portrush Notes.” This proved to be a useful resource when he came to write his book entitled “Echoes of Open Glory”. Maurice read extracts from the book which is loosely based on the 1951 Open Golf Championship in Portrush and also reflects his memories of growing up in Portrush. He referred to John Aitkin who manufactured and repaired golf clubs and golf balls and to his daughter Mrs. Lily Ross. She owned a tobacconists shop and was an infinite source of local news.

Dr. Anthony Trail of the Causeway Tram fame apparently “Cut a Dash” on the golf course. Sadly the Causeway Tram closed in 1951, the year of the Portrush Open Championship.
The youngest competitor in the Portrush Open was a young man called Peter Allis who then played as an amateur. In concluding Maurice gave an honourable mention to the three local heroes Clarke, McDowell and McIlroy.

A question and answer session followed the talk.
A summary of this talk is available in the Speakers’ Record Book, and also on the Club Website.
A vote of thanks proposed by Bob McIvor was passed on to Mr.McAleese by the President.
The members showed their appreciation for an interesting and enjoyable talk.

Weekly Business

Apologies: Norman Gallagher, Mervyn Patterson, Billy Platt, Cecil Spotten and Mike Turner.

Minutes: The minutes of the 21 April 2015, were read, agreed and signed by the President.

Matters arising: None not covered by the agenda.

Correspondence: None.

REPORTS:

Social: Joe Alcorn reminded members that because of the date change from the 12th to the 5th May completed lunch menu choices must be returned today.

Welfare: An apology was received from Cecil Spotten.

Treasurer: Nothing to report.

A O B: The President welcomed new member Malcolm Hinds and presented him with the Club badges and documents.

Next Speakers Meeting: will be held on Tuesday 1st September 2015. Speaker and Topic to be arranged.

The President thanked the members for attending and hoped that everyone would be at the Club Quiz and Lunch on Tuesday 5th May 2015 .
Meeting closed at 11:50am.

SIGNED: John Graham
Date 1st September 2015.