Following her recent induction into the Pitch & Putt Ireland Hall Of Fame, John Manning profiles our latest inductee, Honorary Treasurer Breda Brophy

Breda Brophy (McDonagh) was inducted into Pitch and Putt’s Hall of Fame at National Convention in Templemore on February 26th. The citation read: 

“For an industrious and productive administrative career in which she has served loyally at club, club, county, provincial and national level.

For an excellent playing record, which peaked with a bronze medal at the 1991 National Strokeplay championships.

For providing generous sponsorship of Leinster Juvenile championships and the National Mixed Foursomes.

For presenting a sympathetic and approachable face at the Scorer’s table during Pitch & Putt tournaments, competitions and championships up and down the country.

For delivering quiet counsel and inspiring leadership during a term as Ireland’s international team manager, culminating in a 2008 World Cup win at Papendal (Netherlands).

For being an unerring and judicious steward of Pitch and Putt Ireland’s finances for two decades.”

Breda Brophy joined Poulaphouca Pitch and Putt Club near Poulaphouca Reservoir in 1985. At the 1987 AGM, she was elected Hon Secretary of Poulaphouca, a post she held most capably until 1994. For years, she was a welcoming figure at Poulaphouca's successful Opens and Scratch Cups.

At Kildare County Board (or Kildare/Wicklow as it was then) Convention in the autumn of 1989, Breda Brophy was elected Board Registrar. She was a fixture on the Board for many years. She has filled the roles of Treasurer, Secretary and PRO, at one stage combining the twin tasks of Hon. Secretary and PRO of Kildare County Board. Her son Derek has in the past acted as Board PRO In fact, all her family were active in Pitch and Putt.

One of Breda's most memorable feats in Pitch & Putt was to captain Ireland to the 2008 World Cup at Papendal in The Netherlands.

“The players on the team were great,” recallsBreda of that landmark succes. “I am very proud of the fact that I was the First Irish Captain to win the Cup and also the first Lady to Captain the Irish Gents International Team.”

She interacted quite capably with the terrific triumvirate selected to wear the green on that occasion. “The three members of the team (Ray Murphy, Derek Courtney and Paul O'Brien) are exceptional players and they prepared in a professional manner. We discussed who would play in the Foursomes and the order of play in the Singles. During the matches I was on the course and kept the players up-to-date on how each match was proceeding.”

Breda was delighted that the World Cup win in Papendal brought attention from some Media sources that have not mentioned our sport before.

She pays tribute to that superb trio. “Ray Murphy has won everything in the game. He has the respect of all the players in Ireland, both on and off the field of play. Paul O'Brien was the real power house in Holland (and ensured that the team received a Civic Reception in his home town of Templemore). Derek Courtney is one of the gutsiest players I have seen, a real fighter and a real character.”

In 2000, the Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland announced an exciting new sponsorship deal for the National Mixed Foursomes. The Blessington-based building firm, Brophy Brothers, had agreed to advance a four figure sum to underwrite the popular end of season tournament for millennium year. Brophy Bros. had already supported the Leinster Juvenile Strokeplay championships for a number of years.

That sponsorship has continued through to the modern-day National Scotch Foursomes. Breda’s husband Pat Brophy is the principal of Brophy Bros.

Breda and Pat will shortly celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss with their three sons Derek, Mark and Patrick and with their adored grandchildren.

For years Breda made her way up the Naas Road to work in Accounts for various firms in Dublin.

She was Secretary of Chapter 7 Irish League of Credit Union, Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of Blessington & District Credit Union Ltd, and was also involved in the Finance Committee of her local GAA Club.

Hugely dedicated to the administrative side of our sport, Breda always liked to play Pitch and Putt as much as she could.

On July 7th 1991, Meath finally beat Dublin after their four game Leinster Gaelic football championship first round marathon. Pitch & Putt followers were in Mullingar the same day for the National Ladies Strokeplay championships. Tramore's Nellie Sullivan took the Junior crown at St. Loman's with a 36 hole score of 120. Breda Brophy, five shots back after her opening 66, managed a creditable 62 in the second round to clinch third place on 128 behind runner-up Teresa Fitzpatrick (Royal Meath).

She and her husband Pat switched clubs to McDonagh for the 1996 season. Breda was elected Club Captain at McDonagh for the 1998 playing season and continued to pick up prizes on the Scratch Cup circuit in venues such as Athgarvan.

Breda Brophy (McDonagh) was co-opted to the National Executive as Honorary Treasurer of the Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland at the Central Council meeting in Thurles on Sunday February 23rd, 2003. Breda succeeded the late Des Flanagan (RIP).

She represented Leinster at Central Council for over a decade and was a member of the Central Council Finance Sub-Committee, which produced the financial proposal to the Youghal Convention of 1995. She was a constant at all Leinster competitions in the 1990s, teaming-up with her friend Annie Galvin in the Recorder's Office. Since switching to national level, she has linked-up with Michael Murphy in a similar role.

Hugely respected at Sport Ireland, Breda has been a key contributor to Pitch and Putt Ireland’s grant application process, ensuring year on year grant funding increases for our sport.

She negotiated a slot for Pitch & Putt on Michael Sargent’s (Honorary Auditor) sports programme on East Coast Radio. Our organisation’s finances are on a sound footing, thanks in no small part to Breda Brophy’s diligence and stewardship since 2003.

And thankfully, she confirmed, when graciously accepting her award at Convention, her intention to continue in the Treasurer’s role.

 

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