Kennedy ÔputtsÕ humour into driving range business

Date Published: {J}

Loughrea defender and selector Greg Kennedy may be wholly focused on guiding the club to their second county senior hurling title in five years at Pearse Stadium this Sunday, but another of his great passions – golf – is never too far from his mind.

Over the last decade and a half, Kennedy has been very much to the forefront of Loughrea and Galway hurling. He first sprung to prominence in 1994 when captaining Galway to a 2-10 to 1-11 victory over Cork in the All-Ireland minor final at Croke Park.

Managed by Mattie Murphy, that team contained a hosts of other stars, including Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry’s Kevin Broderick, Craughwell’s Fergal Healy, Portumna’s Ollie Canning, Clarinbridge’s Alan Kerins, Beagh brothers Rory and Finbarr Gantley, and Athenry’s Eddie Brady, who scored both of Galway’s goals in the decider.

For most of those players, including Kennedy, it launched their hurling careers, with the Loughrea man joining the Galway senior panel a year later. For the next seven years, he remained part of the senior set-up before he was forced to withdraw with a long-term injury in 2003.

However, following Loughrea’s victory over Portumna in the 2006 county final, their subsequent 2-16 to 2-3 victory over Athleague in the Connacht final, and a solid showing in the All-Ireland club series, where they were defeated in the decider by kingpins Ballyhale Shamrocks, Kennedy was recalled to the Galway squad by manager Ger Loughnane and he spent another year and a half in the maroon and white.

Yet, as much as hurling has been a constant in his life in this time, so has golf . . . so much so that three years ago, the astute businessman bought Loughrea Driving Range at Masonbrook, which he now runs alongside PGA professional Raymond Ryan.

“I bought it and re-opened it nearly three years ago,” says the affable Kennedy, “and Raymie came in then about a year ago, teaching and running the golf shop. He is a PGA professional, so he gives lessons and does club fittings. It has been going very well. Along with all the adults, there are also a lot of kids using it as well. People come from all over the county.”

No doubt, since taking over the facility, Kennedy – who also owns Supermacs franchise outlets in Athlone and Moate – has put his indelible mark on the driving range. Around the 100 marker, there is a fine picture of Jedward to aim at while, in the middle of the course, his father’s old Mitsubishi Pajero looks a little worse for wear.

In many respects, the fun approach Kennedy has brought to golf sums up the Loughrea man to a tee – if you pardon the pun! He has a wicked sense of humour.

“I got the auld lad’s Pajero at home in the yard, threw it out there and it (‘Hit the Banger’ competition) has been very successful,” says the 34-year-old. “More than 2,000 people have hit it so far since the competition started this time last year.

“The competition is up and running again now until Christmas and I am hoping to have another 2,000 to 3,000 out in the competition before then. We are doing hampers for the winners at Christmas and come the Summer, we will do a set of golf clubs for the winner there, custom fit by Raymie.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.