Tom Garvey - An Appreciation

Jonathan Smith, Golf Environment Europe

In April of this year, Golf Environment Europe lost one of its longest serving and most distinguished Trustees.

Tom Garvey, formerly of the European Commission Environment Directorate, had for over ten years supported the golf sector’s efforts to become more socially and environmentally sustainable.

In this time, and with his trademark combination of passion and resolve, Tom provided encouragement and guidance to industry leaders, and stimulated much practical action.

He was also one of golf’s great ambassadors in Brussels.

In golf, Tom saw a game that echoed many of his own personal values and interests. To him golf was sporting challenge, healthy recreation, a chance to be amongst nature, a chance to spend time with his children and grandchildren, it was about camaraderie and fun. He understood how golf could inspire people, and also act as a positive force within the wider environmental movement.

But Tom also knew that golf is a business, and he applied his considerable business knowledge, developed through a diverse career, to argue the economic reasons for more sustainable golf facilities, golf developments and golf events.

This career started when he joined the Irish Export Board and became its Chief Executive in 1969. In 1977, he became the first Delegate of the Commission of the European Communities in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He returned to Ireland to become Chief Executive of An Post (the Irish Post Office). Tom went to Brussels in 1984 as Director in the Internal Market & Industrial Affairs Directorate General of the Commission. In June 1992, he was appointed Deputy Director General in DGXI – Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection.

Tom was a fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce. He was Chairman of the Helsinki Commission for the Protection of the Baltic Sea Environment; Director on the Board of the Regional Environment Centre, Budapest, and Vice-Chairman of the Irish Institute of European Affairs in Louvain.

In golf, he was responsible for the EC’s support of golf’s activities to green the 1997 Ryder Cup in Valderrama, including the attendance of the then President of the EU, Mr Jaques Santer. In 1999 he represented the European Commission at the signing of the Valderrama Declaration – the first and only time that the EC has formally committed to supporting golf in its environmental programmes. In recent years he was at the helm of the establishment of Golf Environment Europe – in building partnerships within and out-with golf and in determining an exciting new strategy and vision for the organisation.

Tom was a man of considerable integrity and intellect, and with a tremendous appetite for life. There is no doubt that both the game of golf, and the environmental movement, have lost a great asset.

Our condolences are extended to Tom’s wife Ellen, and his children and grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place in Brussels on Friday 12th September at 5pm at St Anthony’s Church in Kraainem.