Sean Keane - Patron of PPUI

Mr Sean Keane of Tipperary Hills was elected unanimously as Patron of the Pitch & Putt Union of Ireland at its Annual Convention that was held in Athlone on Saturday last. Sean has been symnonous with the game of Pitch & Putt for the last 40 years and it was a fitting reward for his sterling service to the game in Tipperary Hills and also with Tipperary Co Board. Sean now fills the shoes of the great Paddy Power RIP from Hillview who passed away last year.

Sean decided to step down as Treasurer of the Co Board in 2005 after serving nearly 35 years on the board in a number of positions. He had a very clear vision for the direction of the game, always having a positive input to meetings, he was the driving force as Chairman of the Board in the 80’s and early 90’s that have sown the seeds to have the board as strong as it is today.

Sean, himself was a very keen player. Undoubtedly one of the highlights of his career was playing for Tipperary at his beloved Tipperary Hills in the All Ireland Inter County Championships back in 1990. Although not in the winner’s enclosure that day, it was a proud day for Sean as he has had a love for the Inter County Championships over the years. He was a very important factor on Tipp Hills Senior League teams over the years and was always very capable of performing to a very high standard.

Sean through his former employer Blue Hawk DIY became a very prominent sponsor of the All Ireland Inter County Championships for a number of years. Lakewood in 1993 and Tralee in 1995 will always remain fond memories for Sean, when he emotionally presented the victorious Tipperary Captains with the Anchor Cup. This was truly one of his proudest moments in Pitch and Putt.

Tipperary Hills has a place in the Keane household that will always be cherished. Involved since the early 70’s he and his committee brought “The Hills” to extremely high standards. Their Juvenile crop were the crave of the country in 1980’s, their course was always impeccably prepared, their hospitality only bettered by some 5 star Hotels. How his heart must have broke to see the course close back in late 2005. In his speech last Saturday, he spoke of his own personal illness, this time two years ago he was in the intensive care unit in the Mater Hospital in Dublin. He gradually improved but then in November 2008 he got a call informing him that there were plans in motion to re-open the course. He overcame his own adversity and took on a new challenge with the new committee led by Michael Brennan to re-establish The Hills once more. This dream was finally realised in August of 2009 when the official opening of Tipperary Hills took place. The man who had seen it all was back to see a new beginning. The Clubs Committee that night acknowledged his years of tireless work and announced that he would be Hon. President of Tipperary Hills, an honour he so greatly appreciated.

Sean now joins the elite few of have become Patrons of the Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland. It truly is a deserving honour for a man who has dedicated over half his life to promote, foster and develop the game of Pitch and Putt.