Laois and Offaly communities mourn popular local man

Tributes have been paid to the late Michael (Mick) Hogan, Knockowen Road, Tullamore, and originally from Clonaslee, who passed away on Saturday last.

A popular member of the local community, the deceased was injured in a serious accident some years ago and fought a long and brave battle.

Deepest sympathy is extended to his loving wife Teresa, his beloved children Mark and Amanda, grandchildren, extended family, neighbours and friends.

In a tribute, Tullamore Pitch and Putt club's Darren O'Connell, said: “Words cannot describe how much Mick meant to us.

Mick Hogan grew up in the village of Clonaslee, Co. Laois. He loved his hurling and played as a goalkeeper for Clonaslee (these skills would eventually help him to become one of Tullamore Pitch & Putt’s finest players in the future).

He eventually left the village for Tullamore and married his lovely wife Teresa. He joined our great club in 1989 and quickly became a popular figure within the club. His friendly demeanour and witty humour quickly endeared him to the members, he was a gentle giant who had time for everyone.

Mick joined the committee in 1990 and served for 30 consecutive years, during this time he also served as Captain. He selflessly dedicated his time to maintaining and improving the course and helping it become one of the top championship courses in Ireland.

Mick did everything from cutting grass, sanding greens, trimming hedges to collecting green fees. There was nothing he couldn’t do. The social scene in the club wouldn’t have been the same without him. He was our head bar man who served at every function, cards night and competition.

He had many a late nights listening to us all talking nonsense as we drank, I really don’t know how he put up with us, especially as he never drank alcohol himself. Mick was at every fundraiser, club outing and competition, truly he was the definition of what a great club man should be. He was the face of Tullamore Pitch & Putt Club.

We always knew he was nearby when we heard the ride on lawnmower in the distance, he would eventually fly around the bend a few minutes later and give us a big wave and a smile.

As a player he was brilliant to watch. He was one of the very few left handers in the club and quickly rose through the ranks of Junior and Intermediate to become one of the top Seniors. For a man who didn’t practice much he was just so steady. He had a big draw from left to right and was easily one of the best putters in the club, he was lethal from anywhere around the greens.

Mick won all the major championships in the club and when he was on form he was a joy to watch. He was more than capable of competing with the top players in the country. This was proven when he nearly beat the great Sean Downes (who was at the peak of his powers) in a titanic battle on his home course of Stackallen in the 2005 National Matchplay Championship. Mick may have lost the match that day but he gained so much respect from the pitch and putt community for his fearless style of play.

Mick loved the team aspect of the pitch and putt. He partnered his great friend Una Pyke in scotches and foursomes in many tournaments around the country and won a record number of Business House Leagues alongside his great friends Ronnie O’Shea and Joe Hogan. Mick also represented the Gents Offaly Intercounty team on multiple occasions at National and Leinster championships.

He proudly captained the Offaly men’s team at the 2014 National finals on home soil where he shot a stunning round of -14 in the doubles and a round of -10 in the singles as we narrowly missed out on a top 3. His proudest moment in pitch and putt came when he played on that Offaly team alongside his son Mark who himself is regarded as one of Offaly’s greatest young players.

Perhaps the greatest legacy he has left us is the annual Ryder Cup challenge between Tullamore and Erry Pitch & Putt clubs. Mick and his friend William Buckley came up with the idea to run a 5 week tournament over the winter between the two rival towns to determine who had bragging rights for a full year. Little did they know how big it would get and how it would become one the most talked about events in pitch and putt. It is a yearly highlight for all of us players who are fortunate enough to get to play in it. We will now hopefully win it in honour of Mick.

Around Ireland, Mick Hogan is regarded as one of the greatest supporters of the game. He was at every championship regardless if he was playing or not. We all affectionately knew Mick as “Radar” because he just knew what score every player was on the course, it didn’t make a difference if he was 200 yards away or if there was a large hill in the way, Radar was always right.

I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time driving to scratch cups and championships around the country with Mick as my co-pilot. He was just a great friend. He supported myself and so many others through good and bad times. Unfortunately due to illness he had to retire from the game in 2015.

It was at this time we had a fundraiser for Mick in the hope that we could help him with any medical expenses. The huge crowds we had that day from the local community and pitch and putt clubs from across the country blew Mick away, for the first time ever he was speechless as he received a well deserved standing ovation from all in attendance. I believe he realised that day just how much he meant to all of us in pitch and putt. We all loved and respected him for the honourable man he was.

Unfortunately due to a terrible accident we never got to see Mick play again but he was still a huge part of our club and still a great supporter of our game. He sponsored the Intermediate Club Strokeplay with a beautiful cup that will now be forever in his name and he also sponsored the Captains Prize.

His legacy is the course that you see there now. Mick alongside so many other greats helped transform the course into one of Irelands premier venues and helped keep it there for so long. He was a pillar of stability in the club and a man we all looked up to, he is a legend and always will be. We will miss him dearly but are so fortunate to have made so many great memories alongside him. He will never be forgotten.”