Dunfanaghy Golf Legend James Brogan honoured by Club

In a lovely event at Dunfanaghy Golf Club on Saturday, 14 June, the life of James Brogan was celebrated in the presence of Dunfanaghy Golf Club members and James' family.

A memorial bench was unveiled by his sister Mary (herself a former Lady Captain in 1993) and its position near the first tee box and eighteenth green ensures that all who play Dunfanaghy will continue to remember James.

All who spoke at the event paid tribute to James' friendly welcoming nature.  His love of golf and all that he contributed to the development of Dunfanaghy Golf Club over the years as caddie, player, greenkeeper and Club President in our centenary year 2006-2007.

James Brogan was truly a golfer of note, playing off low single figures for most of his life, James won the Captain's Prize in Dunfanaghy eight times (1980, 81, 87, 94, 95, 98, 99 and 2001), an incredible record.

To add to this, he won the Presidents' Trophy in 1998. He also won Captain's Prizes in Rosapenna, when Columba Boyce was Captain, in Cloughaneely when Michael Murray was Captain, and Presidents Day in Portsalon when Neil Blaney was President, and the Muckish Ramblers prize when Michael Keaveney was Captain. Add to this the All-Ireland Captains Competition, played in Rosapenna in 1971; two Intermediate Scratch Cups in Portsalon; and three Senior Scratch Cups in Dunfanaghy.

James was a wonderful golfer who loved the game and he was known across the golfing community, not just in Donegal, but in many clubs across Ireland and beyond, including in Athy, who the club twinned with in 2006.

All who were fortunate to play in his company witnessed his golfing prowess, his cheery good humour and his genuine interest in people. 

The Dunfanaghy Club House seems empty without him, but we can still hear his laugh, recall his many stories and remember him fondly.