Tramore Golf Club, County Waterford. (1892

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Tramore Golf Club, County Waterford. (1892 - 1939)

The club was founded in 1892.

The first nine-hole links course was located near the old racecourse at Back Strand. It was very exposed and often suffered from storm damage.

In 1912 the club moved to the Graun Course where it continued until 1939.

The club moved to its current location at Newtown Hill in June 1939.

In the early years it was sometimes called Waterford and Tramore Golf Club.

The current Waterford Golf Club was founded in 1912.

The press cutting below from October 1892 mentions the "Royal Waterford Golf Club at Tramore."

Report on the club and course in April 1893.

Waterford Standard Wednesday 18 April 1894 - "The Golf Links at Tramore now afford much enjoyable recreation. All day long lovers of the royal game may be seen in the pleasant sandy sward. The greens are in first rate order, and the links, as a whole, are said to be first class, by those who ought to know. Visitors are admitted to the grounds on very reasonable terms, to the benefit of the club."

In March 1896 it was reported that - "The members of the Tramore Golf Club are making preparation for commencing their season. The club can boast of fairly good players."

In the 1896/7 Golfing Annual there is mention of a Waterford and Tramore Golf Club.

Following is an extract from a report that appeared in the Irish Times on the 15 April 1896. "This club has secured the services of David Herd of St Andrews. It is expected that Waterford golfers will improve very much in their style of play by his presence among them in the next six weeks."

In September 1896 a violent storm wreaked havoc on the club, the clubhouse was destroyed and most of the course was covered in shingle during the height of the storm. A revised course was playable by Boxing Day when a competition was played by members.

In 1897 the treasurer was Mr William Lambert Burke, Manager, National Bank, Waterford. He was a founder member of the club and played golf at Tramore with his son in 1891. Golf at this time would have been played in a haphazard fashion as there was no recognised course at that time.

In 1899 Commander Buchard R.N, took over the running of the club and course.

It appears that the club goes into abeyance in the late 1890s.

The club to be restarted at a meeting in 1900.

In the 1902/3 Golfing Annual the institution date for the club was given as 1892.

On the 1 January 1902 the Irish Times reported that "The first annual general meeting of the recently revived Tramore Golf Club took place in the Grand Hotel, Tramore." The club was revived in October 1900 on the course that was originally laid out by A Herd in 1892. The course was situated on The Burrow with the clubhouse, first tee and last green only "a stone's throw" from the Grandstand of the well known racecourse (the racecourse at this time was on the beach). The golf course was on land owned by Martin J Murphy, and was rent free. In October 1902, Tom Hood of Royal Dublin, visited the area to plan and lay out a new eighteen hole course which would be "amongst the best in Ireland."

The following is from the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Tramore Golf Club Instituted 1904 (yet another institution date); Number of members 106; Station at Tramore half mile; Hon. Sec. - F R Coffee, M.I.C.E.I., Eaton Terrcace, Tramore; Captain - J Foley; Entrance Fee £1/1s and Subs £1/1s; Ladies 10s/6d; 18-holes; Green-keeper - Patrick Power; Professional Record - James Brien, 74; Amateur Record - E A Walsh, 78; Visitors' fees - 1s/6d a day, 5s a week, 7s/6d a month. The course is situated on a light sandy promontory on the north side of Tramore Bay, the turf being dry and springy to the foot and at all times fit for play. There are numerous hazards and bunkers of sand, ditches, banks, and one constructed of galvanised iron. All the greens are visible from the previous tees excepting number seven which is screened from view by an intervening sand hill, and the holes vary in length from 100 to 425 yards.

The Strand and Golf Links in the 1900s.

Result of a match played in June 1906.

Above are two golfers and their young caddies on the Tramore Golf Links, Co. Waterford, in September 1907. Image is courtesy of Roger McStravick.

The following is from a report that appeared in the Dundee Evening Telegraph on Thursday 19 March 1908. "Mr James Sorley was, on the occasion of his leaving St Andrews today to take up his duties as secretary to Tramore Golf Club, presented with a handsome silver cigarette case by the members of St Andrews Golf Club."

Report on the club and course in May 1908.

The above article concludes - "is light and springy to the foot, and will also be sure of receiving a welcome from a most hospitable community. More need not be said."

Professional match in September 1908.

The Easter Tournament in 1909.

In 1911 it was listed as a nine-hole sea course.

Match played in April 1911.

Report on the annual meeting in October 1911.

Waterford News Friday 15 December 1911 - "FLOODING OF TRAMORE LINKS - Serious damage was done to the Racecourse and Golf Links on Wednesday owing to the recent storm at Tramore. The Tramore Golf Club committee have made arrangements which will ensure the members being able to continue playing golf until other arrangements are made."

Report on the new golf course at Graun, near the new racecourse, in February 1912.

Report on the first general meeting of the new club in May 1912.

Opening of the new course in September 1912.

In 1912 the Irish Golf Guide records that "A new course has been laid out by Willie Park, owing to the inroads of the sea on the old course. The new course promises well and commands beautiful views of sea and land."

The new racecourse ran around the new golf links.

The report below from 1912 mentions the new course of the Tramore Golf Club. It remained at this location at Graun until 1939.

From the Dublin Daily Express Saturday 7 September 1912.

Competition result from May 1913.

Tramore Golf Club annual meeting in August 1913.

Annual meeting August 1914.

Evening News (Waterford) Saturday 29 July 1916 - "A record on the Tramore Golf Links - This week Mr G F Jennings (captain of the club) established a record. He holed in three at the first green, and in one at the second, in the same round."

Play resumes following WWI.

Waterford Evening Star Monday 13 September 1920. Image © Irish Times Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Competition played in June 1926.

The ladies' competition for the Silver Challenge Cup presented by Miss F O'Sullivan was played over 18-holes in September 1926. Result; Mrs J O'Brien, 90-21-69; Mrs T Nolan, 108-33-75. Best gross by Mrs Crocker, 89.

From the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 200; Hon. secretary - J Ward, Bellevue, Tramore; Professional, W Butler; Course records; Amateur; J M Hearne, 68; Professional; W Butler, 66; 9-holes; Visitors (intro) 3s a day, 12s/6d a week; Sunday play< with caddies.

Report on the annual meeting in 1929.

Captain's Cup played in June 1930.

Report on the annual meeting in March 1931.

From the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 260; Hon. secretary - J J Doyle, 3 Rosebank Terrace, Tramore; Professional/green-keeper, W Butler; 9-holes; Visitors (intro) were 3/- a day and 12/6 a week Sunday play, with caddies; Station one mile from the course.

Result of a match played in September 1936.

From the 1937 Golfer's Handbook ; Membership 238; Hon. secretary - F Kennedy, Ard-na-Vyle, Tramore; Green-keeper, T Fitzgerald; 9-holes, Par 75, SSS 74; Course records; Amateur; W French, 70; Professional; W Butler, 69; Visitors (intro), 2s/6d a day, 12s/6d a week; Sunday play, with caddies. (Licensed).

Competitions played in August 1937; Tramore Challenge Cup; J J McCarthy (4), 3up; C Gilligan (11), 2up; J Lynch (14), 1up; Ardkeen Challenge Cup; J Mangan (18), 70; D Wyse (15), 72; Best gross; C W Huet, 76.

The following report is from the Waterford Standard Saturday 27 August 1938 confirms the location of the golf course - "For ten bob you find yourself in the enclosure, the paddock, and the bookies' ring, the grandstand and the clubhouse. The clubhouse being that of Tramore Golf Links, for the recourse runs round the links."

The Aspirants Cup played in April 1939.

Below is a report on the last competition played on the old Tramore course.

From the Waterford Standard Saturday 27 May 1939.

The Tramore Golf Club moved to its current location in June 1939.

Google Map showing the Racecourse, location of the Graun Course (1912 - 1939).

The Google Map below shows Tramore Burrow, location of the first course.

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