Bessbrook Golf Club, County Armagh. (1915 - 1950s)

First appeared in 1915 and continued in the Golfer’s Handbook through to the late 1950s.

In the Golfer’s Handbook the secretary throughout was Jas Darrah, School House, Bessbrook, although A Downey of Woodville Bessbrook is listed as secretary in 1927.  The green-keeper was J Black. A 9-hole course. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, Sunday play was not allowed. Local hotel was the Temperance. The station at Bessbrook was one and a half miles from the course. The entries in the Golfer’s Handbook are often repetetive and this looks to be the case for Bessbrook. Although it’s listed until the 1950s it’s probable that the club/course closed prior to this.

 

Bessbrook Golf Club, County Armagh. Postcard showing The Woodhouse, Bessbrook.

The Woodhouse, Bessbrook, in the early 1900s.

 

Following is from the Belfast News-Letter Thursday 7th June 1917 – A competition in connection with Bessbrook Golf Club for prizes presented by Mrs J N Richardson took place at the Derra(y?)more links, and resulted as follows; W J Downey, 68; J A Downey, 70; William McKelvey, 72; T S McKinstry, 74; John Black, 74; J N Richardson, 80; John Lowry, 83.

 

Bessbrook Golf Club, County Armagh. Newspaper report from February 1918.

From the Belfast News-Letter Tuesday 19 February 1918. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

The opening of the new course at Woodhouse in June 1938.

 

Bessbrook Golf Club, County Armagh. Report on the new course in June 1938.

Belfast Telegraph Monday 20 June 1938. Image © Independent News and Media PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

Report on the annual meeting held in April 1939.

 

Bessbrook Golf Club, County Armagh. Report on the annual meeting in April 1939.

Portadown News Saturday 22 April 1939. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

A stroke competition was played on the Bessbrook Golf Course at Derramore on Saturday 20 May 1939 and was won by Head-Constable R Farr, R.U.C., with a net score of 64. A bogey competition played later in the month was won by Wilbur Ferguson with a score of 6 down.

Report on the annual meeting in April 1940.

 

Bessbrook Golf Club, County Armagh. Newspaper report from April 1940.

From the Belfast News-Letter Monday 8 April 1940. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

The winner of the weekly stroke competition played in May 1940 was E Morris.

The Google Map below shows the location of the golf course.