European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady has been presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by the National University of Ireland Maynooth.
O’Grady – whose citation was read by Frank Fitzmaurice, Director of Corporate Services for NUI Maynooth – was presented with the ceremonial scroll by Professor Philip Nolan, President of NUI Maynooth in honour of his revolutionising of The European Tour and his significant contribution to the development of golf in Ireland.
The ceremony, at the NUI campus which is close by Carton House Golf Club, the venue for this week’s Irish Open, also honoured four other people: Catriona Crowe, manager of the Irish Census Online Project; artist Martin Gale, Philologist Professor George Huxley and Irish Literary Critic, Professor Breandán Ó Doibhlin.
Professor Nolan said, “An honorary doctorate is a very significant award in the University firmament and must go to candidates who excel in their field and pursue paths relevant to our own mission. The two Georges, Catriona, Martin and Breandán all fit these criteria excellently.
“They have shown leadership, made significant contributions to society, to learning and the public good. Golf is one of the Ireland’s great showcases, and it is no coincidence that as the Irish Open goes from strength to strength, we also have several leading Irish players on the world stage.
“Great administrators help that happen and that is why NUI Maynooth, with our own rich golfing scholarship tradition, is delighted to honour George O’Grady.”
Included in the audience for the ceremony – which started and ended with a selection of chamber music by the Tatra String Quartet – were students of the Golf Scholarship at NUI, including Alan Lowry, the brother of European Tour professional Shane Lowry, who is the touring professional at Carton House.
