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Cullybackey (Craigs Park) Golf Club, County Antrim. (1913 - 1943)

First appeared in 1913 as Cullybakey Golf Club. It changed name to Craigs Park in 1930.

Reports on the proposed club and links at Loopagh in November 1913.

Ballymena Observer Friday 21 November 1913. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Description of the proposed course.

Ballymena Observer Friday 28 November 1913. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From the Ballymena Weekly Telegraph Saturday 3 January 1914. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the opening of the course in April 1914.

Ballymena Weekly Telegraph Saturday 18 April 1914. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on a meeting held in May 1914.

Ballymena Observer Friday 15 May 1914. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Celebrating two years of golf in November 1915.

Ballymena Weekly Telegraph Saturday 13 November 1915. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Due  to change of ownership of the land in 1918 the club would not be having the lease extended on the course.

Plan of the Loopagh Golf Course.

Extract from a report that accompanied the above plan from the Ballymena Weekly Telegraph Saturday 5 January 1918 - "It will be with sincere regret that all Mid-Antrim golfers will learn of the closing down of the Loopagh Links."

Ordnance Survey Map showing the location of the Loopagh Golf Course on Mount Davy's.

O.S. Map Revised 1922; © Crown Copyright (year of publication).

Report on the new Craigdun course in March 1922.

Ballymena Observer Friday 31 March 1922. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the opening of the new course in May 1922.

Ballymena Observer Friday 12 May 1922. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1923 the secretary was K J Frazer, Hillmount, Cullybackey. A 9-hole course. The green-keeper was J Gordon. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 3/- a week, 5/- a month. The station at Cullybackey was 1 ¾ miles way.

In the late 1920s the secretary was W J Kenohan, Spring Hill, Cullybackey. The SSS was 65 and the club had a membership of  80.

Article from the Northern Whig Friday 16 May 1930. "Craig's Park Club - Many improvements to the course - At a meeting of the old Culleybackey Golf Club in December last it was proposed and passed that the name of the club be changed to the Craigs Park Golf Club. Since that time the club have secured a long lease of the links from their popular President, Mr Stott, of Craigdun, at a reduction of £35 per annum in the rent, and through the exertions of the Development Committee the grounds, and especially the course, the fairways have been vastly improved, so much so that at the present time the golf course is one of the finest nine-hole courses in the North of Ireland.

At the annual meeting on Wednesday evening Mr S J Frazer, captain of the club, presided - the hon. secretary, W J Kernohan, J.P., submitted the annual report which showed that during the year the membership had been well maintained. J Gillespie, on behalf of the treasurer, submitted the financial report, which showed a balance in had of £140. Dr Houston was elected captain for the year, and Charles Curry vice-captain. Miss Watson, S Marshall and John Johnston were elected to fill the places of Mr Frazer, Mr Curry, and Miss Humphreys on the Council, and S G Haughton, and Mr Frazer were co-opted members of the Council. J Gillespie was appointed hon. secretary in place of W J Kernohan who resigned. R N Campbell was appointed treasurer."

Further report on the annual meeting in May 1930. Interesting to note the location of the course at Hill Mount.

Ballymena Observer Friday 23 May 1930. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Below is the result of a competition played in September 1930.

From the Northern Whig Thursday 4 September 1930.

In 1935 the secretary was Miss E J O’Neill, Kilrea Road, Cullybackey, telephone 23. The green-keeper was W Herbison. Membership at this time was 100.

Report on the annual meeting in May 1939.

Ballymena Observer Friday 5 May 1939. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Below result of the Craigdunn Cup played in August 1939.

From the Northern Whig Friday 1 September 1939.

In 1938/9 the secretary was Mrs L M Johnston, Hazelbank, C raigs, telephone Culleybackey 22. The greenkeeper was still W Herbison. The 9-holes had a par 65. Visitors’ fees had changed little and were now 1/- day, 3/- a week and 10/- per month. Sunday play was not allowed.

In August 1940 the Craigdun Cup (Ladies section) was won by Mrs K King who beat Mrs J W Haughton. The club agreed to free use of the clubhouse and course to the officers of H.M. forces stationed in the vicinity.  

Ballymena Observer Friday 20 June 1941. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Ballymena Observer Friday 5 September 1941. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Sad news, the is club wound-up in 1943.

Ballymena Weekly Telegraph Friday 19 March 1943. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Ordnance Survey Map showing Hill Mount in the centre, location of the golf course (not marked on map).

O.S. Map Revised 1922; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1933}.