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Golf clubs were first established in Ireland in the 1850s and the game increases in popularity through the second half of the 19th century. This was no less true in the Newry area where three clubs were formed in the 1890s.
Warrenpoint Golf Club was founded in 1893 and was originally a 9-hole course before being extended to 18-holes in 1920. The re-design was undertaken by Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock resulting in the splendid 18-hole Parkland course that we see today. Instituted in 1893 and affiliated in 1894, the ‘Golfing Annual’ 1894-95 lists Warrenpoint for the first time. It records a foundation date as 1893, with Major Hall as President and Colonel Cattell as Captain, with seventy-five members.
In the early 1900’s, nobody was more alive to the plus-value of golf than the Great Northern Railway, and it was thanks to them that Warrenpoint became a mecca for holiday golfers. By 1907, the club could afford to spend £16 on a horse-drawn mower and still show a profit for the year of £24-6s.
Then several years later the club took its first big gamble. Membership had grown to 240, nearly half of them ladies, so it was decided to replace the old clubhouse with a brand-new model at a cost of £640. This was a lot of money then, but a benevolent landlord and president, Captain Hall, was demanding no more than one shilling a year in rent, so members were certain that the debt would be paid off quickly and that was the case.
By the mid-20’s bar takings at ‘the Point’ stood at a record £750 for the year, but Tom Richardson, Treasurer of the day, still kept an eagle eye on things, especially those who failed to pay their sub promptly. A quote in the minute book states that “Tom watches them as a cat watches a mouse, and if they are a day late, he pounces”. After that the club went from strength to strength right up to the 1963 fire which gutted the glorious old clubhouse.
A twelve-hole course was also laid out in the Ballyedmond estate, near Rostrevor, in 1892. The Tyrone Courier reported that, on Saturday 29 April 1893, the first of the monthly competitions for the Great Northern Railway Challenge Cup, open to members of recognised Irish clubs, would take place on the links of the Rostrevor Golf Club. The value of the cup is £20.
On Saturday 23 November 1895 the competition was played for the Narrow-Water Challenge Cup, won by Mr Dempster. On the 30th November 1895 the Challenge Cup was competed for on the Ballyedmond course. The winner was Dr. Martin who defeated F Henry by 3 and 2. The putting greens were in first class condition and much credit was given to the green-keeper Johnny Fleming. However, the Rostrevor Golf Club ceased to exist in 1897.
Newry Golf Club was founded in 1892. According to an article in the Ulster Echo dated 22nd October 1892 the opening competition took place at Newry Golf Club located on the links on Camlough Road and was won by a Mr J Stewart from neighbouring Royal County Down club.
A description of the course provided by the Newry Telegraph newspaper in October 1892 stated that the course comprised nine holes and as “hazards are numerous and the links well looked after, a very good game can be enjoyed”.
by Mark O’Neill
The Museum is currently offering free tours of the main exhibition galleries on Wednesdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.
Please visit their website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/museums/newry-and-mourne-museum
