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Crosshaven Golf Club, County Cork. (1926 - WW2)

First appeared in the 1926 Golfer's Handbook and continued to be listed until 1947. The secretary throughout was Dr. E F O’Connor and the professional John Curran. 

At a meeting on 6 April 1926 it was decided to form a golf club at Crosshaven, the following were present at the meeting; Rev Father Daniel Horgan, Dr E F O’Connor, Col Hawkes, Captain John Magahy, Sam Haynes, Dominick Morrogh and John McKechnie. Several landowners were interviewed with a view to laying out the course on the most suitable terrain for golf, but the rent asked was beyond the clubs means, until Mr Nicholson, Hoddersfield, was approached. He was very amenable regarding the needs of the club, and the necessary details were quickly ironed out. After just three months the nine hole course was laid out on excellent golfing land. The views were magnificent, the ninth hole in particular, looking over parts of Cork Harbour, the lower reaches of the River Lee, Queenstown, Carrigaloe, Monkstown, Glenbrook and as far as Little Island is a wonderful panorama. The course and weather, brilliant sunshine, could not have been better for the formal opening of the course on Saturday 3 July 1926.

The gentlemen mentioned earlier carried on until 4 June when a general meeting was held at the Crosshaven Hotel. The attendance was most encouraging, and the financial support generous, over £1,000 was guaranteed, and if twice that amount had been required it would have been forthcoming. The following officers were elected; President, Mr Frank Hayes; Captain, Mr Barry Galvin (solicitor); Secretary and Treasurer, Dr E F O’Connor; Committee – Rev Father Daniel Horgan, Col W Hawkes, Captain John Magahy, James Musgrave, E Whitaker, John McKechnie and Sam Hayes. The Trustees appointed were; Barry Galvin, James G Crosbie snr and James Hayes. The following were appointed to the greens committee; The Club Captain, The Club Secretary, Vincent Morrogh, Stephen Morrogh, Redmond Simcox, John McKechnie and Rev Father Daniel Horgan.

A lot of hard work and willing labour had produced a near miracle to lay out the course in just three months. They had produced a course for this popular summer resort which was badly needed and would, it was hoped, attract many visitors. It would be absurd to think that in three months perfection could be attained, even on a nine hole links. It was hoped that visitors, who were pampered with manicured greens and fairways, would make allowances for the time being, it could be assured the greens committee would be working hard to make the necessary improvements as soon as possible. The secretary, Dr O’Connor, was a quiet, unassuming person, but had tremendous energy and enthusiasm and his untiring work had been one of the main factors in the formation of the club.

Below is the card of the early course.

At this time there were no formidable hazards to be encountered. At a number of holes sliced tee shots would be punished by out of bounds. Long straight drives were required at the third and ninth, to avoid trouble. Small, but well placed bunkers would guard most of the greens.

Already the club had a membership of about 100, fees were as follows; Yearly, Men £2/2/0; Ladies £1/1/0; Juveniles (under 18) 10/6; Family £5; Monthly, Men 15/-; ladies 7/6; Weekly, Men 5/-; Ladies 5/-; The green fees were 1/- a day and 2/6 on Saturday and Sunday. Dr Cagney had presented the club with a cup to be played for during the first month. A fixture list was being drawn up for the usual monthly medal and other competitions.

The opening competitions were played in oppressive heat but this did not deter the large number of players who supported the competitions on the opening day. Before the competitions took place, Mr Barry Galvin, the club Captain, hit the opening drive off the first tee to declare the course open.

Following are the results of the opening day competitions; 18 Hole Stroke Play – C F Casey, 91-18-73; J G Musgrave, 81-3-78; A J Daragh, 95-16-79; M English, 82-2-80; A J Powell, 88-6-82; H Atkins, 89-6-83. Fourball Foursome Bogey; C Blake and J G Musgrave, 1down; M English and D Tooms, 2down; P J Collins and W Williams, 2down.

John Curran, who started at Portmarnock before moving to Youghal Golf Club, had been appointed professional.