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Bangor Golf Club, County Down. (1903 - 1933)

The club was founded in 1903.

Mr F C Doran was one of the founder members of the club and he was also the first secretary. The first captain was Mr T C Connel. A ladies’ club was also formed in 1903, Miss H E McGuire was the inaugural captain.

Report on the new club in March 1903.

North Down Herald and County Down Independent Friday 20 March 1903. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

It was reported in April 1903 that Bangor was no longer "out of it" as far as golf was concerned and can now claim to be the near neighbour of the Royal Belfast Golf Club, whose home is at Carnalea. The Bangor course is an eight-hole one and extends from the park near Six Road Ends, the entrance being in Hamilton Road. A club with a membership of 300 was formed, Turnbull who was formerly at Malone, was engaged as professional. The course is not quite complete as yet but will be ready for opening in June.  

The original nine-hole course opened on 13 June 1903 with a match between Harold Reade, champion, and F B Newett, ex-champion.

The course was extended to 18-holes in 1904 when a new clubhouse was also opened.

Irish Field Saturday 9 July 1904. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The clubhouse and eighth green in the early 1900s.

Bangor Golf Club, clubhouse and course, with horse drawn mower to the left centre (posted 1905). Authors Collection.

From the Nisbet’s Golf Yearbook 1905; Membership of 278; Hon. Secretary – F C Doran, “Glenfarne,” Bangor; Captain – F C Doran; Entrance fee £2/2s and subs £1/11s/6d; 18-holes; Professional – F Smyth; Station – five minute walk; Terms for visitors – 1s a day, 5s a week, 15s a month; A good course playing over 78 acres with some very tricky holes, and a magnificent view.

Also listed was the Bangor Ladies’ Golf Club; Membership of 140; Hon. Secretary – Miss L K Campbell, Princeton, Bangor; Captain – Miss G A Walters; 18-holes; Entrance fee £1/1s and subs 10s/6d; Professional – F Smyth; Visitors – 6d a day, 2s/6d a week, 7s/6d a month, not allowed to play Saturdays or General Holidays. 

Competition result played on Boxing Day 1905.

County Down Spectator and Ulster Standard Friday 29 December 1905. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

New amateur course record in 1906

Northern Whig Friday 1 June 1906 Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Opening of the 1907 season.

Belfast News-Letter Thursday 11 April 1907. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Success for James Edmundson the Bangor professional in 1908.

Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 13 June 1908. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the club and course in 1909.

Irish Field Saturday 3 July 1909. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Competition played over Christmas 1911.

County Down Spectator and Ulster Standard Friday 29 December 1911. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Match played in May 1913.

Larne Times Saturday 7 June 1913. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Honours Board presented to the club in 1915.

Larne Times Saturday 2 October 1915. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Annual meetings held in March 1920.

Belfast News-Letter Saturday 20 March 1920. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1928- 1933; Bangor Golf Club, Hamilton Road; Membership 480; Secretary, Joseph A Hurst; Professional.  John Hamill; 18-holes; Course records; Amateur; J C Nicholson, 71; Professional, John A Hamill, 66; Visitors (on introduction), 3s a day, 5s at weekend and holidays; Sunday play.

The Hoey Cup Competition for members of the Northern Branch of the Irish Golfers' Association was played on the Bangor Golf Club course in May 1928. Runner-up was the Bangor professional John Hamill.

Northern Whig Friday 4 May 1928. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Belfast News-Letter Monday 25 March 1929. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Lady Captain's Day in June 1930.

Northern Whig Wednesday 18 June 1930. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Past Captain's in July 1930.

Northern Whig Tuesday 8 July 1930. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Belfast News-Letter Wednesday 9 July 1930 - "The Bangor Golf Club's 18-hole course adjoins the Ward Park, and it is claimed that it has the best and truest greens in the country"

Competitions played in August 1930.

Belfast Telegraph Monday 4 August 1930. Image © Mediahuis Ireland. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Below is a gathering for the Lady Captain’s Prize Day in June 1931.

From the Belfast News-Letter Wednesday 17 June 1931. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Lady Captain's Day in June 1932.

Northern Whig Wednesday 22 June 1932. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Belfast News-Letter June 1932 - "Bangor Golf Club holds many attractions for visitors, being near the centre of the town, the length of the course is 5,883 yards with a bogey of 74."

Ordnance Survey Map showing the earlier golf course and clubhouse.

O.S. Map Revised 1919; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1927}.

In 1933 the club moved across the lane (Broadway) to its present location

The new course was laid out by James Braid.

Belfast Telegraph Wednesday 13 June 1934. Image © Independent News and Media PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The ATS  at the Bangor clubhouse at the time of WW2.

Image courtesy of Lorraine Townley.