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Rushbrooke Golf Club, Cork. (1892 - WW1)
The Rushbrooke Golf Club can stake a claim of being the earliest club in Cork, founded in 1892.
It's probable that the club had Naval connections as there was a base at Queenstown.
As can be seen in the text below It was often referred to as Queenstown and Rushbrooke Golf Club.
Below is the result of a match played on Saturday 17th March 1894 against members of the R.A Golf Club, Spike Island. Considering the visitors had little local knowledge they had a convincing victory.
| Rushbrooke Golf Club | R.A Golf Club, Spike Island | ||
| Mr H Barry | 0 | Mr Puxley | 5 |
| Mr Newell | 0 | Mr Mason | 3 |
| Mr Byrne, D.I., R.I.C. | 0 | Mr Phillipps | 6 |
| Mr McMullen | 0 | Mr Jones | 5 |
| Mr Green | 0 | Captain Davy | 0 |
| Colonel Hall | 0 | Captain Norris | 5 |
| Mr McNamara | 0 | Mr Dykes | 4 |
| Mr Stokes | 0 | Mr Cobb | 9 |
| 0 | 35 |
Below is a report stating that the Queenstown and Rushbrooke Golf Club course opened in 1894.
From the Cork Constitution Tuesday 16th October 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Below is the result of a match played at Rushbrooke against Rathcooney Golf Club in April 1895.
From the Cork Constitution Monday 8th April 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The following is from the 1897 edition of The Sportsmans Holiday Guide it was listed as Queenstown Golf Club with nine-holes covering about two miles. "The course is situated on the hills overlooking the Lee, and commands fine views of Monkstown Bay, Passage, and far away views of the river as it winds up to Cork. The hazards consist of stone walls and furze bushes. There is a clubhouse on the ground. Visitors introduced by a member may play free for one week and after that period the charge is 5/- per month."
On Saturday 21st April 1900 a bogey competition was played on the Rushbrooke course. Prizes were presented by the Officers of H.M.S. Black Prince and by a member of the club. The day was ideal and the course was in capital order. There was a considerable entry, and after a close and exciting finish Colonel Barry won the first prize beating the “redoubtable Colonel Bogey” by 2 holes. The second prize was taken by J P Byrne who finished all square.
In the 1906 Golfing Annual giving an institution date of 1892. There was a membership of 120. The hon. secretary was Dep. Inspector Gen. E Meade, R.N. The course of nine-hole course had a par of 34 with holes varying in length from 120 yards to 400 yards. The Rushbrooke railway station was 200 yards away.
In 1909 Lady Barrymore presented a Silver Cup for competition between the Cork and Rushbrooke to be played at Fota Island.
Results of the monthly medal for November 1909. Ladies' Medal - Mrs Beadon, 94-18-76; Miss Barry, 88-7-81; Miss T Nash, 113-32-81; Mrs Bruce, 106-23-83; Miss B Waggett, 98-11-87; Mrs Henley, 114-24-90. Also played; Miss Nash, Miss Townsend, Miss E Perry, Miss J Waggett, Miss Fforde.
Following is the result of a bogey competition played in December 1909; R R Fforde (3) 3down; H B Bruce (10) 3down; H C O’Brien (12) 3down; H Toppin (11) 5down; L S Northcote (11) 5down; H R Greene (9) 7down.
Result of a match played at Midleton Golf Club (now defunct) in March 1911.
Cork Examiner Thursday 23rd March 1911. Image © Thomas Crosbie Holdings. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
The club continued to be listed until the time of WW1. It did not appear following the Great War.
The Google Map below shows Rushbrooke railway station which was 200 yards from the golf course.