ONE of the sport’s longest-serving and likely Professionals Noel Cassidy – who was in residence at Castletroy GC for the best part of 30 years – passed away at the weekend, and was laid to rest in Kilmacreehy Cemetery, Liscannor.
Some years ago, the noted journalist Dermot Gilleece informed his then Irish Times readers of “an obligatory call to Noel” in his then new surrounds of Rathbane GC.
He observed: “On the walls of his office were a number of eye-catching photographs of Cassidy taken with such celebrities as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Bob Hope and Gary Player.
“But the one that appealed most to him was one taken during a practice round for the 1976 British Open at Royal Birkdale. It’s not often an Irish club professional gets the chance of playing with Arnold Palmer and Cassidy’s colleague, Owen Mulhall, was on hand to capture the moment.”
A native of Waterford, Noel’s family boasted as many as seven professionals at one stage.
He was one of the finest teachers of the game.
Noel will be most missed by Orla, Carolyn, Dianne, Dennis, Yvonne, Jackie, Lisa, Dylan, Dean, Ray and Laura.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
