John Coleman (RIP)

John Coleman

John Coleman (RIP) image

Pitch and Putt Ireland are saddened to announce the death of Patron John Coleman (RIP).

Thanks to John Manning for the following piece.

The Pitch and Putt community is mourning the loss of Pitch and Putt Ireland Patron and Hall of Famer John Coleman (Lakewood).

Former Honorary Auditor of the P.P.U.I., John Coleman spent thirty-eight years as Secretary of the Lakewood club - an astonishing near four decades of unbroken service.

John Coleman was elected Munster Council Secretary at the 1986 Convention and continued in that position up to 1990. He served alongside the likes of Bob Casey, Colman Hayes, Christopher O’Mahony, Liam O’hUigin, Dan Conway, Con Keyes, Vincent Allen and George O’Keeffe.

A thoughtful and articulate provincial delegate to the old Central Council of the Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland in the late 1980s and early 1990s, John also worked tirelessly to promote the sport as P.R.O. of Cork County Board.

John was unanimously elected to be Honorary Auditor of the P.P.U.I. at 1997 Convention in Tramore. That was in succession to the late P.A. Murphy (the first President of the P.P.U.I.), who had served as Honorary Auditor since the 1970s. John acted conscientiously in that role until he was recently succeeded by Sean Minogue (Riverdale).

A person of the highest integrity, John was regularly appointed as Independent Scrutineer for the Voting process at National Conventions.

John was co-opted on to the Lakewood Committee as Secretary in February 1975 and served dutifully and productively in the position until 2013.

A gifted scribe, John produced top-class official programmes for major Pitch and Putt events at Lakewood, such as the 1993 Inter-County championships and 1999 National Matchplay championships.

Employed by John A. Wood sand, gravel and quarrying business in Cork, he became a member of the company’s Sports and Social Committee in 1975 and was Chairman of that body from 1979 to 1982.

John was interested in all sports, particularly Gaelic Games, having served as Secretary of his native Kilshannig G.A.A. club from 1966 to 1970. He had a particular love of quizzes and those of a specific Cork Pitch and Putt generation will remember the famous Inter-Club quizzes he ran with Thos Warren (ex Carrigaline and Crosshaven Pitch and Putt clubs) on the Leeside circuit in the '70s and '80s. John acted as a genial but punctilious quizmaster in that and many other quizzes.

An unassuming man, John's long and distinguished service was recognised with lengthy interviews by the media at the key milestones in his storied career.

John Coleman’s outstanding administrative qualities were also put to good use on the Committee that oversaw the very popular West Cork Leagues of the eighties and nineties.

Living in the same housing enclave as former Munster and National President Liam Houlihan, John took the opportunity to have regular and animated discussions on the Pitch and Putt issues of the day.

John added his considerable acumen to the first P.P.U.I. Strategic Planning Group, joining Mervyn Cooney, Des Flanagan, Michael Hayes, Marina O'Rourke and John Manning, in drafting the 2002 – 2005 Plan – Ár Spórt; Ag Pleanáil don Áisteanach.

John was a member of the original P.P.U.I. Appeals panel, serving with the Chairman, John Moloughney (Tipperary), Ben Lennon (Louth), Gerry McInerney (Limerick) and Geraldine Edwards (Dublin).

John was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Convention at Sport hq in 2006. That was well-deserved recognition for his outstanding contribution to the sport of Pitch and Putt.

John Coleman was confirmed as Pitch and Putt Ireland Patron at Convention 2016, further supreme acknowledgment of his exceptional input into his chosen sport.

A loyal colleague, a tireless worker, a generous advocate, a trusted confidant, a willing listener and a thorough gentleman, John will be sorely missed.

Deepest sympathy is extended to John’s wife, Mary, his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.