You are cordially invited for cocktails and dinner at Merion Golf Club on Wednesday, the 8th of May at 6.00 pm
The Irish Chamber is thrilled to present a unique opportunity for a peek behind the curtain at Merion Golf Club. We will present a panel discussion on preparations for the 2013 US Open with leaders in the golf world.
This is your chance to visit Merion before it closes to the public to complete preparations for the US Open, which will begin on June 10th. We will enjoy a view of the first tee and practice green from the grand tent.
Registration & Cocktails: 6.00 pm
Dinner & Panel Discussion: 7.00 pm
Networking Dessert Reception: 8.30 pm
Reserved tables of ten are available, Chamber members will receive a special rate.
Members: $115; Non-Members: $150
Join the Irish Chamber and receive the member rate for our dinner, as well as a discounted rate on your 2013 – 2014 membership dues. Discounted rates for corporate membership and tables of ten are also available.
* Ticket price includes 2 drink tickets, full sit down dinner, buffet-style dessert reception.
For questions, please contact Alanna Barry McCloskey at [email protected] or 215.772.3101.
Space is limited. Registration will close on Friday, the 3rd of May. All reservations are binding unless cancelled by the 3rd of May.
Distinguished moderator and panel speakers include:
Moderator: Craig Ammerman - former member of the USGA Executive Committee
Craig has been a leader in golf administration at the local and national levels. He is a past President of the Golf Association of Philadelphia, former member of the USGA Executive Committee and immediate past President of Riverton Country Club. Having scored a 99 on the USGA's Rules Test, Craig has been a rules official at USGA Championships and at the Masters. After selling his healthcare communications company, Craig now serves as a marketing communications strategist for healthcare organizations.
Bob Morey – VP of Merion Golf Club and the Golf Association of Philadelphia
Bob has been a member of Merion Golf Club since 1973. He serves as Merion’s golf chairman, Vice President and member of the Board of Governors. Bob has served on committees for championships held by the United States Golf Association (USGA) at Merion, including the 2005 U.S. Amateur Championship, the 2009 Walker Cup and now the 2013 U.S. Open Championship. For the 2013 U.S. Open, Bob serves as the Chairman of on course operations and also serves on the Executive Committee of the Open.
For the Golf Association of Philadelphia, Bob has served as the Chairman of the Championship Committee and currently serves as the Vice President and member of the Executive Committee.
Professionally, Bob is the COO of Empire Abrasive Equipment Company, a manufacturing company located in Langhorne, PA that manufactures abrasive blast equipment sold around the world.
Jack Connelly – Past President of the PGA of America
Jack became interested in golf at a young age and learned to caddy at the Woodbury Country Club. After serving two years in the U.S. Army, which included one year in Vietnam, Jack worked for the famous “Swings the Thing” golf school before serving as the head golf professional at Huntingdon Valley Country Club for 38 years. While managing the golf operation at Huntingdon Valley, Jack played in the 1975 U.S. Open, won the 1979 Philadelphia Open, and earned the Philadelphia Section’s Player of the Year four times. Jack qualified for the PGA Professional National Championship nine times. Jack currently serves as an Ambassador for North Hills Country Club.
After serving as the President of the Philadelphia Section PGA from 1983-1984, Jack began to serve the PGA of America’s 27,000 men and women golf professionals on a national basis. In 1996, Jack was elected secretary of the PGA of America for two years, vice president for two years and in 2000 he was elected president of the PGA of America.
Honoring his contributions to the game, the Philadelphia Section of the PGA initiated the Jack Connelly Head Professional Championship and the Golf Association of Philadelphia awarded him the Arnold Palmer Lifetime Service Award. Jack was inducted into the Professional Golfers Association Hall of Fame in 2005.
Hank Thompson - Director, 2013 U.S. Open Championship
Hank serves as director of the 2013 U.S. Open Championship at Merion Golf Club. Hank and his team are responsible for parking and transportation accommodations, player services and volunteer operations.
Thompson, who is in his seventh year with the Association, is also the main contact for local and state governmental agencies as well as residents in the vicinity of the Merion Golf Club as well as community relations. He is the USGA’s point of contact with the Merion Golf Club on all matters for the 2013 U.S. Open.
Hank joined the USGA as the assistant manager for the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club. He headed up volunteer operations for both the 2007 and 2009 U.S. Open Championships. Thompson was then named championship manager for the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.
Prior to his arrival at the USGA, Thompson spent nine years at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, N.C. While on the professional staff, he worked in the day-to-day golf operations at Course No. 8 and at the Main Club. During his final five years at the resort, he was the director of tournament operations, focusing on all corporate and member tournaments, in addition to teaching in the Pinehurst Golf Advantage Schools. He was also responsible for conducting the North and South Amateur Championships.
