18-Hole Parkland
Course Facts: Address
Blackhall
Balbriggan
Co. DublinSecretary/Manager: Janet Halligan Captain: David O'Connor Lady Captain: Rose Taylor Telephone: 01-8412229 President: Kilian Martin Public No: 01-8412173 Vice-Captain: Billy Whitney & Imelda O'Shea Fax: 01-8413927 Hon. Secretary: Peter Slevin & Maureen Walsh E-mail: balbriggangolfclub@eircom.net Club Pro: Nigel Howley Website: www.balbriggangolfclub.com Hon. Treasurer: David Noone & Jackie Clarke Founded: 1945 Designed by: Stillwell & Pat Ruddy Membership: 716 Course opening hours: Daylight hours Green Fees Midweek: €35 Clubhouse opening hours: 7.30am to 11.30pm Green Fees Weekends & B.H.: €45 Mobile phones: Not on course or in clubhouse Green Fees With a Member: €12 Dress Code: Neat and casual, no denim Green Fees For Opens: €12 Catering: Full catering facilities Practice Area: Yes Days to Avoid: Weekends & Tuesdays Club Hire: No Green Fees and Societies Welcome: Other days Buggy Hire: Yes Pre-booking for open tournaments: 14 Days in advance Soft spikes: No
Course Description:
Founded in 1945 and officially opened on the 6th August 1945, the day the USA dropped the Atom bomb on Hiroshima. It was not until April 1991 that this fine course extended to 18-holes.Designed by Stillwell and redesigned by Pat Ruddy, Balbriggan is now a 5,922 metre Par-71 with a standard scratch of 71 off the white tees. Set in rolling parklands with views of the Mourne and Cooley Mountains, the course presents a challenge to all who play it. Balbriggan has a very comfortable clubhouse offering the golfers excellent restaurant and bar facilities. The visitor is extended the warmest of welcomes and is assured of a memorable days golf at this North County Dublin Club. Societies are welcome and group rates are available.
Open & Major fixtures 2008: Event
Start
Finish
Type
Duration
No fixtures until 2009.
Club History
Liam Kelly tells us golf could have begun at Balbriggan as far back as 1895 as land was obtained at Bremore, Balbriggan. The founding members went as far as purchasing a pavilion, which was later sold on to the Balbriggan Cricket Club. The proposed golf club ran into legal technicalities, the granting of the relevant lease ran into difficulties and the project was abandoned.
Further efforts were made in 1933 and again in 1939 to establish golf in the area, but it wasn’t until 1945 that the aspirations became a reality. In 1945, G. A. McGowan became aware that the lands right opposite his front door was coming on the market. The lands comprised, 48-acres at the present location and was leased from Colonel Scriven for £150 per annum.
It was an 18-year lease and when it expired there was a question about the clubs future. By happy coincidence, the Captain in 1963 was Dr. Edward Caraher, who was a former comrade of Colonel Scriven. When the good doctor approached the colonel about the possibility of selling the lease. The colonel replied "The money I’ve been getting from you doesn’t keep me in cigarettes. Of course I’ll sell".
Further lands were acquired over the following years, in 1971 an additional seven acres known as "Maguire’s Field" was purchased for £7,000, this was followed by the acquisition of "Fox’s Land" in 1982. By September 1988 an additional 31 acres known as "Hoare’s Land" was added thereby enabling the club to extend to the desired 18-holes.
On 27th April 1991 the new clubhouse and course were officially opened, something the founding members could hardly have envisaged. Indicative of the progressive committee and members, Balbriggan were not content to let matters lie and additional "fine-tuning" of the course continues to this day. Pat Ruddy was retained in 1999 to redesign the 7th and 12th holes and plans have been drawn up for further improvements of certain holes on the course.
Location
Balbriggan Golf Course is located at the N1 on the Dublin side of Balbriggan. It is visible from the road.
Members Achievements
Balbriggan Golf Club won their first Leinster Final in the Irish Junior Cup in 2007 when they beat Killiney by 3 matches to 2 matches on Sunday 8th July at Tulfarris Golf Club.
It was off to Shandon Park Golf Club to compete in the All-Ireland Semi-Final against Munster Champions Muskerry Golf Club on Wednesday 12th September.
First on the tee was Gerald Gallen who lost out to Eoin O'Callaghan by 4 and 3, he was followed by Ian Reynolds who won his match by 2 and 1. Next on the tee was John Fitzpatrick against Dave Lane who lost out to the Belfast man by 4 and 3. The penultimate match saw Peter Slevin have a convincing 4 and 3 win over Gordian Barry, but it was to late as the as the anchor mach of Liam Rooney against Ger O'Shea was decidedly over with a 6 and 4 win to the Belvoir Park team to win their place in the All-Ireland Final against Munster Champions Muskerry, the eventual winners on the Thursday.
Balbriggan Golf Club were Dublin County winners in the Holmpatrick Cup in 2005.
Balbriggan Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Jimmy Bruen Shield at Dundalk Golf Club when they beat The Castle by 3.5 matches to 1.5 matches. The squad was Brian Cannon, Martin McInerney, Tom Dwyer, Pat Philips, Peter Sullivan, Damien Leagh, David Brabazon, Mick McNamee, John Behan, Pat Boshell, John O'Shea, Tom Walsh, Kieran, Joey Hughes, Tom Regan, Ray Nugent, Peter Slevin, Martin Reilly, Freddy Healy and Peter Callaghan. They were Captained by Frank Bissette and were drawn against Thurles in the All-Ireland Semi-Final at Newlands Golf Club on the 21st September 2001. They lost to Thurles the All-Ireland Champions who beat Holywood in the final.
Ciaran McAleavey was selected on the Irish Boys' team for the Home Internationals at Moortown, Leeds in August 2001.
Balbriggan member and 1997 Lady Captain Mary O'Meara teamed up with her son Maurice (9) playing his golf out of the Island, in the final regional qualifiers of the Spar-Irish Independent Mixed Pairs Challenge at Westmanstown Golf Club in early August 2001. They were runners-up with a score of 56 points, which say them safely through to the National Finals at Adare Manor Golf & Country Club on the 25th of August.
Now here is one young lady to watch. 15-year old Dearbhla Behan started playing golf in May 2000, she was given the usual handicap of 45 by August 2001 she was down to 21 and dropping. In July she shot an 87 gross off 29, to return 52pts. A record for a juvenile. She returned 43pts. In the Captain's Prize to the Juniors and lost 8-shots in the month of July.
Prior to 2001:
Robert Cannon won the Thorsman Trophy at Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club in 1997.
Balbriggan Golf Club were Semi-Finalists in the Senior Cup in 1992 when the team was Ray Nugent, Joe O'Loughlin, D. Callaghan, S. McKenna, D. Noone and P. Morrissey.
Balbriggan Golf Club won the Squire Ennis Trophy in 1995 when the team was Barry O'Reilly, Brian Boshell, Scott Lewis, Robert Gannon, Patrick McGowan and Gerald Gallen. They also won it in 1979, 1999 and 2000.
They won the Uden Cup in 1995 when the team was N. Dunne, J. Callaghan, M. Lynch, T. Dwyer, B. O'Connor, S. Halligan, D. O'Connor, E. Reilly, D. Kearns, K. Nulty, B. Casey, F. Whelan, G. Whelan, F. Healy, C. Headford, E. Martin, T. Walsh, B. Corcoran, P. Williams, F. Bissette and M. Sheeran.
Balbriggan won the Sony-Evening Herald Medal Championship at the Golf Del Sur, Tenerife in October 1992, when they beat the other three finalists, Coollattin, Royal Dublin and Thurles by 13 points, the team was John McKenna, Declan Dunne, Damien Lenagh and they were captained by Padraig Faughnan.
They won the Uden Cup in 198 0 when the team was D. Kelly, G. Penny, M. Tobin, P. Williams, J. Courtney, L. Dean, C. Mulvey, H. McKenna, S. McNally, F. Dervine, K. Gamble, E. Mulvey, F. McKenna, M, Sheeran, M. McCarthy, A. Fynes and J. White. They also won it in 1982.
Balbriggan were Uden Cup Finalists in 1974 when the team was Ken Gamble, Owen Nolan John Kenna, Eddie Mulvey, Michael Sheeran, Joe McGowan, Leslie Cashell, Kevin Cahill, Conor Mulvey, Michael Smyth and Jimmy Ennis.
The Ladies of Balbriggan Golf Club won the Ulster Bank All-Ireland Ladies Fourball in 1999 when the team was
They won the I.L.G.U. Eastern District in 1994 when the team was Olive Downes, Muriel Ennis, Vanessa Hartford, Anne White, Fiona Flanigan and they were captained by Brid Taylor.
They won it again in 1999 when the team was Francis Monahan, Rita Murphy, Evelyn Flood, Margaret Campbell, Ann Griffin and they were captained by Helen Fullam.
They last won it in 2001 when the team was Joan Tully, Vera Cagney, Anne McEvoy, Mary McGoff, Sandra Cumisky and they were captained by Rita Murphy.
Ian Griffin played Leinster Youths in 1997 winning 4 of his 6 matches and played Leinster Boys in 1996.
Balbriggan won the Leinster Final of the Bulmers Jimmy Bruen Shield at Dundalk Golf Club when they beat The Castle by 3.5 matches to 1.5 matches. The squad was Brian Cannon, Martin McInerney, Tom Dwyer, Pat Philips, Peter Sullivan, Damien Leagh, David Brabazon, Mick McNamee, John Behan, Pat Boshall, John O'Shea, Tom Walsh, Kieran, Joey Hughes, Tom Regan, Ray Nugent, Peter Slevin, Martin Reilly, Freddy Healy and Peter Callaghan. They were Captained by Frank Bissette and were drawn against Thurles in the All-Ireland Semi-Final at Newlands Golf Club on the 21st September 2001. They lost to Thurles the All-Ireland Champions who beat Holywood in the final.
Ciaran McAleavey was selected on the Irish Boys' team for the Home Internationals at Moortown, Leeds in August 2001.
Balbriggan member and 1997 Lady Captain Mary O'Meara teamed up with her son Maurice (9) playing his golf out of the Island, in the final regional qualifiers of the Spar-Irish Independent Mixed Pairs Challenge at Westmanstown Golf Club in early August 2001. They were runners-up with a score of 56 points, which say them safely through to the National Finals at Adare Manor Golf & Country Club on the 25th of August.
Now here is one young lady to watch. 15-year old Dearbhla Behan started playing golf in May 2000, she was given the usual handicap of 45 by August 2001 she was down to 21 and dropping. In July she shot an 87 gross off 29, to return 52pts. A record for a juvenile. She returned 43pts. In the Captain's Prize to the Juniors and lost 8-shots in the month of July.
Ian Griffin played Leinster Youths in 1997 winning 4 of his 6 matches and played Leinster Boys in 1996.
Card of the Course (yards)
Hole No
White
Yellow
Green
Par
Index
Red
Par
Index
1
365
345
342
4
6
333
4
3
2
504
466
458
5
10
423
5
7
3
357
355
352
4
4
346
4
1
4
321
312
302
4
15
268
4
13
5
384
382
362
4
2
333
5
15
6
180
155
149
3
16
116
3
17
7
339
295
287
4
14
270
4
9
8
171
165
160
3
12
159
3
11
9
360
353
347
4
8
310
4
5
Out
2,981
2,828
2,759
35
2,558
36
10
417
407
400
5
18
362
5
4
11
184
171
168
3
5
146
3
14
12
368
356
352
4
3
329
4
2
13
308
298
295
4
17
268
4
16
14
358
345
345
4
7
358
5
12
15
392
386
385
4
1
372
5
8
16
130
121
120
3
11
115
3
18
17
323
321
314
4
9
261
4
6
18
461
448
442
5
13
403
5
10
In
2,941
2,853
2,821
36
2,614
38
Total
5,922
5,681
5,580
71
5,172
74
SSS
72
71
70
73
Men's Course Record: 67 Darragh Callaghan (3)
Roll of Honour D. O'Hickey 1989 Ladies Captain N. Dunne 1989 Men's Captain C. McDermott 1989 President C. Mulvey 1989 President D. McLoughlin 1990 Ladies Captain B. Farrell 1990 Men's Captain L. McClear 1990 President M. Russell 1991 Ladies Captain D. Noone 1991 Men's Captain L. McClear 1991 President V. Grimes 1992 Ladies Captain P. Foushnan 1992 Men's Captain L. McClear 1992 President M. Griffin 1993 Ladies Captain B. O'Keeffe 1993 Men's Captain L. Cashell 1993 President M. O'Donohue 1994 Ladies Captain J. O'Keeffe 1994 Men's Captain L. Cashell 1994 President M. Reilly 1995 Ladies Captain G. Gallen 1995 Men's Captain L. Cashell 1995 President M. Martin 1996 Ladies Captain M. Sheeran 1996 Men's Captain S. Dignam 1996 President M. O'Meara 1997 Ladies Captain E. Mulvey 1997 Men's Captain S. Dignam 1997 President O. Downes 1998 Ladies Captain B. Redmond 1998 Men's Captain S. Dignam 1998 President M. Faughnan 1999 Ladies Captain T. Walsh 1999 Men's Captain Michael Monaghan 1999 President Bernie Lewis 2000 Ladies Captain Frank Bissette 2000 Men's Captain Michael Monaghan 2000 President Olive Campbell 2001 Ladies Captain Killian Martin 2001 Men's Captain Paddy O'Keeffe 2001 President Helen Fullam 2002 Ladies Captain Michael Hough 2002 Men's Captain Paddy O'Keeffe 2002 President Mary Quinn 2003 Ladies Captain Ian Fraher 2003 Men's Captain Nicky Ennis 2003 President Vera Cagney 2004 Ladies Captain Jim Behan 2004 Men's Captain Nicky Ennis 2004 President Sandra Downes 2005 Ladies Captain Brian Flynn 2005 Men's Captain Cyril Campbell 2005 President Moya O'Connor 2006 Ladies Captain Sean O'Connor 2006 Men's Captain Cyril Campbell 2006 President Anne McEvoy 2007 Ladies Captain Hugh Devlin 2007 Men's Captain Kilian Martin 2007 President
Holes-in-One Person Date Hole No. Distance Michael Monaghan 3 August 1997 6th 155 m Mick McCauley 6 August 2000 8th 165 m Brendan Griffin 28 May 2000 6th 155 m Joe O'Rourke 13 May 2000 11th 171 m Gerry Tallon 23 May 1999 11th 171 m David Noone 27 March 1999 6th 155 m Nick Ennis 14 March 1999 8th 165 m T. Murtagh 1 August 2002 11th 171 m Sean Reid 7 June 2002 6th 155 m Patrick Roban 19 April 2003 16th 121 m William Beare 31 May 2003 8th 165 m John F. K. Flannery 1 August 2003 16th 121 m Patrick Darcy 8 May 2004 16th 121 m Padraig Faughnan 4 December 2004 11th 171 m Karl Mulvey 24 April 2005 6th 155 m Myles Fleming 20 August 2005 8th 171 m
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