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Ballinrobe Golf Club, County Mayo. (1895 – 1995)

First course was in the vicinity of Cornaroya; The second course was on the Creagh Estate; Following WWII the club were playing on the Race Course, Rathcarreen.

The club moved to its current location in 1995.

From the Golfing Annual 1895/6; Instituted 3 October 1895; Course a private one consisting at present of only six-holes, but it is hoped the other three will be added shortly; Ballinrobe station is within a two minute walk; President, Col. C H Knox; Captain, T Forde; Hon. secretary, R Hearne, Killoshine Cottage, Ballinrobe; Membership of 70.

In the Golfing Annual 1896/67 it is recorded as a nine-hole course of 1,900 yards.

Report on the new club in October 1895.

Ballinrobe Chronicle and Mayo Advertiser Saturday 12 October 1895. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Formal opening of the course in October 1895.

Ballinrobe Chronicle and Mayo Advertiser Saturday 26 October 1895. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Competitions played in October 1895.

Ballinrobe Chronicle and Mayo Advertiser Saturday 2 November 1895. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

First monthly medal for men in November 1895.

Mayo Examiner Saturday 23 November 1895. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In December 1895 the ladies’ competition was won by Miss Cannon, 77-10-67, Mrs Hegarty was runner-up. A mixed foursome was also held and was won by club captain, Mr Forde and Miss Cannon. A handsome prize was given by Mr P Kegan.

Competitions played in August 1896.

Ballinrobe Chronicle and Mayo Advertiser Saturday 8 August 1896. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Mr R T Crawford was elected captain in October 1896.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1890/1900s showing the Railway Station. Stated to be a short walk from the first Golf Course.

O.S. Map Revised 1899; © Crown Copyright (year of publication 1902).

Report on Golf in the West in October 1899.

Irish Golfer Wednesday 11 October 1899. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Medal results from November 1899. 

Irish Golfer Wednesday 15 November 1899. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From the Nisbet’s Golf Yearbook 1905; Ballinrobe Golf Club; Instituted 1895; Number of members, 50; Station at Ballinrobe M.G.W.R; Hon. secretary – Rev. H S McMullan; Captain; Hon. J E D Browne; Entrance fee, nil and Subs, 10 shillings; Nine-holes; Amateur record, 77 (18-holes); Terms for visitors, 1 shilling for two days, 2s a week. A flat course, Hazards consist of drains, walls, and water flashes. 

Match played at Tuam in January 1907.

Irish Field Saturday 26 January 1907. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Mention of the opening of a new course in April 1910.

Irish Field Saturday 9 April 1910. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Irish Independent Wednesday 24 May 1911. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Club medal prize played in May 1913; H J Hill, 76 nett; A Birmingham 82; T L Benson, 83; R B Mahon, 83; R T Poole, 83; J Cowan, 84; M J Hawkshaw, 84; Mrs Mahon, 86; Miss Anderson, 88; Miss Daly, 89.

Bogey competition played in July 1915.

Western People Saturday 24 July 1915. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Ballinrobe Golf Club was listed in the Golfer’s Handbook throughout the 1920/30s. Unfortunately the club rarely appeared in newspaper reports between the wars.

Golfer’s Handbook 1947 to 1951; Membership 25; Secretary, J Colleran, Main Street, Ballinrobe; 9-holes Par and SSS Par and SSS 66; Ballinrobe station, 200 yards; Visitors, 1s/6d a day, Sunday play.

From the Irish Independent Monda12 January 1948 – “A recent announcement that the Ballinrobe Golf Club is to use the local racecourse has caused a stir in some Western circles, and the opinion has been expressed that this popular race fixture has gone off the calendar. Far from it. The fact that the golf club will use the race company grounds will not in any way interfere with the holding of the race meetings.”

Mystery man on the golf course.

Evening Herald (Dublin) Tuesday 10 August 1948. Image © Mediahuis Ireland. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer’s Handbook 1957; Membership 50; Joint secretaries, Peter J O’Toole and John J Leyden; 9-holes, Par 68, SSS 70; Station 200 yards; Visitors, 1s/6d a day, Sunday play.

Golfer’s Handbook 1961; Membership 61; Secretaries, D F MacSweeney and P F Fleming; Green-keeper; M O’Malley; 9-holes, Par 66, SSS70; Station 200 yards; Visitors, 2s/6d a day, Sunday play.

Golfer’s Handbook 1964 – 1966; Membership 61; Secretaries; D F MacSweeney and P F Fleming; Green-keeper, M O’Malley; 9-holes, Par 66, SSS 70; Station at Ballinrobe 200 yards; Visitors, 2s/6d a day; Sunday play. 

Club Registration in 1969.

Irish Independent Wednesday 7 May 1969. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Evening Herald (Dublin) Wednesday 7 July 1971. Image © Mediahuis Ireland. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer’s Handbook 1972 – 1975; Membership, 70; Secretary, P J Morran; 9-holes, 2,934 yards, SSS 68; Amateur course record; V McDarby, 72; Visitors, 50p a day (£1.50 weekends).

Golfer’s Handbook 1982 – 1985; (1935); Public; Membership 65; Secretary, James Golden; 9-holes, 2.895 yards, SSS 66; Amateur course record; B Finlay, 71; Visitors, £7 a week.

Golfer’s Handbook 1988; Ballinrobe Golf Club, Castlebar Road, Claremorris; Membership 180; Secretary, James Golden; 9-holes, 5,790 metres, SSS 68; Visitors, £4 (£5).

Golfer’s Handbook 1991; (1895); Membership 200; Secretary, P Holian; 9-holes, 5,790 metres, SSS 68; Visitors, £5.

Golfer’s Handbook 1994 – 1998; (1895); Membership 300; Secretary, P Holian; 9-holes, 5,790 metres, SSS 68; Amateur course record; B Finlay, 71; Visitors, £8 (1994), £10 (1998).

Google Map showing the Race Course, Rathcarreen.