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Lisburn Golf Club, Manor House, Co Antrim. (1890 - 1973)

Golf was first played at Lisburn in 1890.

The Irish Times in September 1934 stated that the club played “On a portion of land used by the club today, formerly part of the Manor House Park, a small band of enthusiasts started to play golf in 1890.  The prime mover was a Scotsman Mr Hugh Shaw” This club continued until 1896.

Only three presidents served the club from 1905 to the 1960s; Harold Barbour (from 1905 to his death in 1938) donated two trophies to the club the Barbour Cup and the Hilden Cup; Rt. Hon. Sir Milne Barbour (succeeded him until his death in 1951); Dr Richard McCandless J.P to 1962. 

Below is the result of a Ladies’ match played against Killymoon in November 1892.

From the Belfast News-Letter Wednesday 30 November 1892. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Lisburn Standard Saturday 3 December 1892. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

It was reported in December 1892 that the Lisburn Golf Club had become the eleventh member of the Golfing Union of Ireland.

Below is the result of a match played at Fortwilliam in March 1895.

From the Northern Whig Thursday 14 March 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The club was revived in 1905 with a 20 year lease for 40 acres of land at the original location at Longstone Street. President of the club was Harold A M Barbour M.A. and the captain George H Clarke.

Lisburn Standard Saturday 22 April 1905 - "The preliminaries in connection with the formation of Lisburn Golf Club have now been almost completed, the links have been set out by Mr G L Baillie, well known in golfing circles, and it is hoped that they will be open for play at an early date."

From the Belfast News-Letter Wednesday 3 May 1905. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the first annual meeting in 1906.

Lisburn Standard Saturday 19 May 1906. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Belfast News-Letter Saturday 18 April 1908. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of the September 1910 monthly stroke competition for prizes presented by Alexander Finlay and T J English; F G Hull, 88-8-80; S A Bulloch, 98-16-82; J Dodgers, 97-14-83; E Allister, 102-19-83; A T Allen, 101-16-85; M Lavery, 105-20-85; G H Clarke, 108-19-89; H McComb, 106-16-90.

At the annual meeting in May 1912 Thomas Malcolmson was appointed captain. The new appointment necessitated Mr Malcolmson resigning the office of treasurer, a position he had held since the inauguration of the club. Henry Adams was elected to fill the vacancy.  

From the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 300; Hon. secretary, T S Forster; Professional, L Forshaw; Green-keeper, J Maxwell; 9-holes; Visitors, 2s a day, 3s weekend and bank holiday; 10s a week; 25s a month; No Sunday play.

Interesting article on the history of the club in 1931.

Lisburn Standard Friday 25 September 1931. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From The Belfast News-Letter Tuesday 17 May 1932. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The earlier Lisburn clubhouse and golf course.

Golfer's Handbook 1933; Membership 300; Hon. secretary, S S Wilson; Professional, L Forshaw; Green-keeper, J Maxwell; 9-holes; Visitors, 2s a day, 3s weekend and bank holiday; 10s a week; 25s a month; No Sunday play.

Golfer's Handbook 1937; Membership 300; Hon. secretary - W B Greenfield, 12 Locksley Park; Professional, P W Callaby; Green-keeper, J Maxwell; 9-holes, Par and SSS 71; Visitors, 2s a day, 3s weekend and bank holiday; 10s a week; 25s a month; Licensed.

Lisburn Standard Friday 1 November 1940. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

At the annual meeting in 1940 Dr R McCandless, J.P., was re-elected as captain. E C Pope was appointed professional in succession to W Callaby who had joined the Home Defence Forces.

In November 1940 the death was announced of Mr J J McCarrison. At the inaugural meeting in 1903 he was elected an honorary life member of the Lisburn Golf Club. 

Ordnance Survey Map from the time of WW2 showing the Manor House Golf Course.

O.S. Map Revised 1939; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1947}.

Following WW2 the secretary was W H Greenfield, 12 Locksley Park, Finaghy. The professional was W J Clarke. The nine-hole course had a SSS and Par of 71. Membership was listed at 300. Visitors’ fees were 3/- a day, Saturdays 5/-. Sunday play was not allowed. The station was quarter of a mile away.

In the mid 1950s the secretary and professional were as before. There was now a green-1973keeper name W Johnston. Course records were; amateur, E N Williams 68; professional, F Daly 66. The total course measured 5,946 yards. Visitors’ fees had risen to 5/- a day, Sunday play still not allowed.

In the early 1960s the secretary was J H F McCarrison. The professional and greenkeeper was W J Clarke. Sunday play (with members) 4/-.

By the mid 1960s there was no professional listed, the greenkeeper was D Kidd. Visitors’ fees were, 7/6 a day, weekends and holidays 10/-.

Above is the layout of the course in the 1960/70s with Longstone Street to the south; the clubhouse is at the entrance with the first tee to the left and the ninth green to the right.

Card of the course as follows; Hole one – 406 yards, bogey 4; two – 293 yards, 4; three – 334 yards, 4; four – 221 yards, 3; five – 135 yards, 3; six – 450 yards, 5; seven – 476 yards, 5; eight – 306 yards, 4; nine – 368 yards, 4. Total yards (9 holes) 2,989 yards. 

In 1972 the secretary was still J McCarrison. The course now measured 5,978 yards with a SSS of 68. There was a membership of over 550. Course records; amateur, K Burns 67; professional F Daly 66. Visitors’ fees were 85p during the week. 

The club moved to its present location at Blairs Lodge in June 1973.

The Google Map below shows the location of Longstone Street course.