18 Hole Links
Course Facts: Address
North Bull Island
Dollymount
Dublin 3Secretary/Manager: Paul Muldowney Captain: David McConnell Lady Captain: Brendan Cole Telephone: 01-8336346/01-8331262 President: Frank Keane Public No: 01-8337153 Catering: 01-8333370 Vice-Captain: J. J. Abernethy, M. J. Cooke, M. F. Downey, & F. Ryan Fax: 01-8336504 Hon. Secretary: Denis Murphy E-mail: info@theroyaldublingolfclub.com Club Pro: Leonard Owens 01-833 6477 Website: www.theroyaldublingolfclub.com Hon. Treasurer: Kieran Howard Founded: 1885 Designed by: Harry S. Colt Membership: 1225 Course opening hours: Daylight hours Green Fees Midweek: €150 Clubhouse opening hours: 8.00am to 12.00pm Green Fees Weekends & B.H.: €170 Mobile phones: Not on course or in clubhouse Green Fees With a Member: €40/50 Dress Code: Neat casual, no denim Green Fees For Opens: N/A Catering: Full catering facilities Practice Area: Range Days to Avoid: Weekends & Wednesdays Club Hire: Yes Green Fees and Societies Welcome: Other days (phone) Buggy Hire: Yes Pre-booking for open tournaments: N/A Soft spikes: No
Course Description:
What I have always considered one of Irelands Premier Links Golf Courses, The Royal Dublin Golf Club is situated on Bull Island, which is a wildlife habitat, with access across the wooden bridge to Dollymount strand. The Royal Dublin has undertaken extensive course improvements. These improvements have caused the staging of the Irish Open Amateur Championship to be relocated to Carton House (the new home of the GUI, the ILGU and the Leinster Branch) for 2004. The Royal Dublin has played host to the Irish Open Championship on three occasions the last being in 1985, when Seve Ballesteros won it in a play-off. It is also the home course of Irelands legendary golfer and ten times Ryder Cup player Christy Senior "Himself" who can be often be seen playing the Links and one can't but admire how this gentleman of golf can still ply his trade.
The feature hole at The Royal Dublin is undoubtedly the 434 metres Par 4 finishing hole known as "The Garden Hole" where the golfer must decide to take on the corner, to get home in two, this decision has often been regretted by professionals, quality amateurs and mere mortals like ourselves. The Royal Dublin Golf Club offers the golfer one of the finest clubhouses in the country, which has been recently upgraded. With an excellent Dining Room (jacket & tie) or the Grill Room (informal dress). Visitors can enjoy a drink Christy O'Connor Room overlooking the 18th (informal dress) and reflect on the challenges they encountered on this wonderful Links on the outskirts of Dublin and make plans for when they intend to revisit the course where Harry Colt left one of his greatest creations.
Voted the No. 14-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Golf Digest Ireland” in 2008. The Royal Dublin was voted No. 11 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2008, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland.
Open & Major fixtures 2008: Event
Start
Finish
Type
Duration
No fixtures until 2009.
Club History
Instituted 1885, affiliated 1882. The Royal Dublin, although its original records were lost in the clubhouse fire on 2nd August 1943, can trace its original location to a site in the Phoenix Park, when it was a military golf club in 1884. The founding meeting of the club took place on 15th of May, 1885, in No. 19 Grafton Street. Mr. John Lumsden was in the chair. Forty-one members attended the meeting. At the AGM, the following January John Lumsden presented The Lumsden medal which is still competed for and the records show that the course was reduced to twelve-holes in winter owing to difficulty of upkeep. At the following AGM there was a balance against the club of fifteen shillings and six pence and it was decided to reduce the number of holes to nine. By 1888 the club was on the move to Sutton and a course was laid out at Cush Point. However, the lease was retained in the Phoenix Park. Sutton proved to be out of reach for most of the members. A meeting on 19th January 1889, informed John Lumsden that permission had been obtained from Colonel Vernon and the Dublin Port and Docks Board to play at Dollymount for a fee of one £1 and one shilling. Mr. Petrie proposed that Old Tom Morris be retained to design the course, but this decision was postponed owing to expense. The course was laid out by, the President, John Lumsden, and the Captain, Mr. Gilroy. On the 14th May, 1891, the title "Royal" was conferred on the club in a letter signed by E. Leigh-Pemberton and addressed to the club care of Mr. J. Balfour, who was Chief Secretary of Ireland, (who was) a fanatical golfer.
The first members consisted of various professional groupings and the military garrisons, notably The Blackwatch Regiment and the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. The Royal Dublin played a major part in the development of golf in the metropolitan area. With John, the founder Captain and Vice President of the GUI in 1891 being involved, together with club professionals, Anthony Brown, George Coburn and Tom Hood laying out many courses. In 1914, the course was closed and was occupied by the army. It was not until April 1920, that the club was reopened. Then in January 1921, H. C. Colt was retained to redesign the course.
Location
Take the Coast Road to Clontarf, across the wooden bridge.
Members Achievements
Gary McGrane won the Irish Boys' Amateur Close Championship at Malahide Golf Club on Friday 24th August 2007. He returned rounds of 72, 69, 73 and 72 for a total of 286, to pip the young I. Keane from the home club by one shot. Keane won the Under 16 Trophy. This was a magnificent performance by this young man who has played Leinster Boys and has represented his club at Senior and Junior Cup level, definitely one to watch in the future.The Royal Dublin Golf Club won the Barton Cup in 2006, when they beat Old Conna by 7 and halve matches to 2 and halve matches. The first leg of the Final was played at The Royal Dublin on Saturday 19th August when The Royal Dublin returned a 4 match to 1 match lead going into the second leg away to Old Conna on Saturday 2nd September. These matches finished 3 and halve to 1 and halve to the away team giving The Royal Dublin a comfortable win.
The Royal Dublin continue to develop their young players under the watchful eye of Mannix Kennedy, having won the All-Ireland Fred Daly Trophy in 2004. Their panel of young players achieved considerable individual credits in 2005.
Niall Kearney won the Irish Boys’ Close Championship at Kilkeel Golf Club in August 2005, he reached the Semi-Final of the Connacht Youths’ and was selected on the club Senior Cup team. Niall was considered a "veteran" when he represented Ireland in the Boys' Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa, Lioncolnshire on 2nd August 2005 having been selected the previous year at Portmarnock Golf Club. He and Seamus Power (West Waterford) were the only two survivors from the 2004 team.
Barry Fennelly won the Ulster Boys’ at Lisburn Golf Club and finished in the top 10 in the Irish Boys’ he was selected on the club Senior Cup team and partnered Paul O’Grady on the Barton team that reached the Semi-Final.
Neil O’Briain won the Connacht Youths' at Carne in August 2005, was selected on the club’s Senior Cup team and partnered John O’Donovan on the Barton team that reached the Semi-Final.
Gary McGrane was selected on the Irish and Leinster Boys’ teams in 2005, and partnered Michael Chambers on the Barton team that reached the Semi-Final. He played Senior and Junior Cup for the club.
The Royal Dublin Juniors won the All-Ireland Fred Daly Trophy National Final in 2004, when the team was M. Cooke, Niall Kearney, Barry Fennelly, C. Keogh, D. O'Beirne, Neil O'Briain, Gary McGrane, C. Knightly, C. Glavey and D. O'Halloran, they were captained by Mannix Kennedy, they went on to win the home countries final at La Manga in December 2004.
Niall Kearney was selected on the Irish Boys Team that played Canada in a Junior Challenge match at Hamilton Golf and Country Club from 7th to 9th September 2004.
Darren Crowe was selected on the Irish Team for the Home International Matches at Royal St. David's Golf Club in Harlech, Wales, from September 11th-13th 2002. He was also selected on the Irish Youths team to play in Gdansk, Poland on July 9th 2002.
The Royal Dublin won the Irish Senior Cup at Killarney G. C. in 1969 and in 1929, 1927, 1925 and 1924.
The Royal Dublin Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Irish Senior Cup at Co. Louth N. O'Brien, T. Hutchinson, E. Brady, B. O'Malley, L. Brady, T. Kone-Nash and they were captained by G. O'Donovan.
The Royal Dublin Golf Club won the All-Ireland Barton Shield, on their home course in 1968, when the team was, T. D. Garvey, M. B. Costello, M. J. Jordan, G. N. Fogarty and D. P. Herlihy. They also won it in 1925 and 1924.
The Royal Dublin Golf Club won the All-Ireland Irish Junior Cup in 1957, when the team was, M. B. O'Halloran, F. O. Gogarty, J. S. Conway, B. J. Sampson and T. Kane. They won the Irish Junior Cup at Royal Portrush in 1932 and 1927.
The Royal Dublin Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Irish Senior Cup at Co. Louth N. O'Brien, T. Hutchinson, E. Brady, B. O'Malley, L. Brady, T. Kone-Nash and they were captained by G. O'Donovan.
The Royal Dublin Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Pierce Purcell Shield in 1981 and were All-Ireland Runners-Up at Grange Golf Club, when the team was O. Egan, F. Lyon, T. Kirin, E. Doherty, M. Collins, R. O'Malley, M. Wisdom, F. B. Doyle, D. Courteney, K. Courtney, E. Cardan, A. I. McGann and T. Summers, they were captained by S. Donnelly.
The Royal Dublin won the Barton Cup 1967, when the squad was, C. A. Byrne, P. V. O'Neill, P. J. Ryan, K. C. Moore, D. Cooper, P. H. Gunning, G. C. Fitzgerald, T. D. Garvey, J. S. Conway, P. Flanagan, F. G. Moran, K. Murray, B. J. Sampson, M. J. Jordan, M. B. Costello, J. L. Mahon, F. Sharpe, P. C. Haughey, G. N. Fogarty, D. K. Corcoran, J. J. O'Haneon, J. M. O'Dwyer, B. Howard, J. J. Quill and T. C. Trinder.
W. J. Slattery was elected to the council of the Leinster Branch of the GUI for 2001.
Niall Manchip a teaching Pro. at The Royal Dublin won the Smurfit Irish PGA Championship at The Island on 17 October 99 to receive the largest cheque of his professional life.
Eamonn Brady who turned professional in September 2000, represented Ireland in the Home International matches from 1995-1998, he played Leinster Youths from 1993 to 1995, playing 18 matches.
D. K. Corcoran played for Leinster from 1972 to 1973.
P. M. O'Boyle was selected in 1977.
J. Hutchinson represented Leinster from 1983 to 1990, having played 16 matches.
N. McGrane represented Leinster in 1989.
W. Gillen played Leinster Youths in 1995.
Lee Owens played Leinster Boys in 1997.
Card of the Course (metres)
Name Hole No Blue White Yellow Par Index Red Par Index North Bull 1 367 357 343 4 8 338 4 9 Barington's 2 445 430 422 5 18 410 5 17 Alps 3 373 370 346 4 4 342 4 5 Featherbed 4 163 157 141 3 14 136 3 13 Ireland's Eye 5 446 407 389 4 2 381 5 3 Valley 6 543 521 466 5 10 463 3 1 Ardiluan 7 196 171 148 3 12 120 4 11 Ben Howth 8 375 354 314 4 6 311 5 7 Davidson's 9 159 148 129 3 16 122 3 15 Out 3,067 2,915 2,698 35 2,623 36 Marne 10 422 357 345 4 1 288 4 4 Colt's 11 500 484 471 5 11 421 5 12 Campbell's 12 184 167 139 3 15 137 3 16 Dardanelles 13 423 390 371 4 3 365 5 2 Moran's 14 513 497 463 5 13 356 4 10 Hogan's 15 415 395 378 4 7 350 4 8 Dolly 16 278 241 240 4 17 219 4 18 Coastguard's 17 402 380 353 4 9 330 4 14 Garden 18 442 430 419 4 5 380 5 6 In 3,246 3,286 3,107 37 2,846 38 Total 6,493 6,201 5,805 72 5,469 73 SSS 74 72 70 74
Men's Course Record: Am: 67 G. O'Donovan Pro: 63 B. Langer
Ladies Course Record:
Roll of Honour Noel Harris 1989 Men's Captain Justice Brian Walsh 1989 President Harry Horneck 1990 Men's Captain Justice Brian Walsh 1990 President Garrett Kennedy 1991 Men's Captain Justice Brian Walsh 1991 President Oliver Egan 1992 Men's Captain Justice Brian Walsh 1992 President Leo Booth 1993 Men's Captain Justice Brian Walsh 1993 President Frank Chambers 1994 Men's Captain Justice Brian Walsh 1994 President Brian Kearney 1995 Men's Captain Justice Brian Walsh 1995 President Ronald Dalglish 1996 Men's Captain Justice Brian Walsh 1996 President Frank Ryan 1997 Men's Captain Justice Brian Walsh 1997 President John Hedigan 1998 Men's Captain Kevin M. Callan 1998 President Prof. John Horgan 1999 Men's Captain Kevin M. Callan 1999 President Tadgh O'Sullivan 2000 Men's Captain Kevin M. Callan 2000 President Harry McElhinney 2001 Men's Captain Kevin M. Callan 2001 President Liam P. Meaney 2002 Men's Captain Frank McDevitt 2002 President Billy Wallace 2003 Men's Captain Frank McDevitt 2003 President John McDevitt 2004 Men's Captain Frank McDevitt 2004 President Peter Keavney 2005 Men's Captain Frank Keane 2005 President Martin Kennedy 2006 Men's Captain Frank Keane 2006 President Brendan Cole 2007 Men's Captain Frank Keane 2007 President C. Conathy 2008 Lowest Men's Handicap Niall Lavin 2008 Lowest Men's Handicap J. Hutchison 2008 Lowest Men's Handicap Liam Brady 2008 Lowest Men's Handicap Niall Kearney 2008 Lowest Men's Handicap
Holes-in-One Person Date Hole No. Club Used Distance George Hayden 30 January 1997 9th 160 m Liam Bergin 12 April 1997 9th 160 m Tom Higgins 12 April 1997 4th 157 m Des Downey 16 April 1997 6th 164 m Joe O'Donovan 14 June 1997 9th 160 m Gerry O'Donovan 15 October 1997 6th 164 m Billy Wallace 16 November 1997 4th 157 m John Healy 10 January 1998 6th 164 m Art I. McGann 25 February 1998 4th 157 m G. Fogarty 9 March 1998 4th 128 m Ronan Collins 18 March 1998 9th 160 m Brendan Coghlan 8 April 1998 9th 160 m Desmond Woods 1 June 1998 12th 172 m Cathal Mullan 1 August 1998 9th 138 m Douglas Herther 14 November 1998 12th 142m Barry O'Halloran 2 February 1999 6th 164 m K. Ninightly 1 May 1999 9th 160 m John Healy 20 June 1999 4th 157 m John French 23 June 1999 4th 157 m C. Rowden 4 September 1999 6th 164 m Steven Cloonan 4 September 1999 6th 164 m Denis McAdams 5 December 1999 6th 5 wood 170 m Pat Carolan 10 May 2000 12th 6 iron 188 m Peter Early 17 June 2000 12th 4 iron 172 m Liam Browne 17 June 2000 6th 5 wood 170 m Niall Lavin 23 June 2000 12th 5 iron 172 m John Huchinson 13 January 2001 12th 142 m Conrad O'Donovan 24 February 2001 6th 170 m Sean Kelly 31 March 2001 12th 188 m Eugene O'Reilly 23 May 2001 6th 170 m Brendan O'Malley 6 June 2001 12th 172 m John Healy 20 June 2001 4th 157 m Padraig Johnson 25 July 2001 9th 160 m John Dennis 25 October 2001 4th 157 m Cecil Rowden 6 November 2001 9th 160 m John Holland 29 December 2001 12th 172 m Des Quigley 19 January 2002 6th 170 m Liam Browne 15 June 2002 9th 160 m Thomas Morrissey S.J. 15 August 2002 9th 160 m Des Smyth 10 September 2002 4th 163 m George Henry 14 December 2002 4th 163 m John Dennis 17 May 2003 6th 170 m Tom Ryan 13 August 2003 6th 170 m Niall Kearney 23 December 2003 9th 160 m David O'Beirne 18 February 2004 12th 172 m Owen O'Connor 11 July 2004 6th 170 m Greg Fogarty 23 November 2004 4th 163 m Brendan J. O'Malley 8 March 2005 16th 241 m Mervyn Wisdom 9 September 2005 9th 129 m