Dun Laoghaire (Kingstown) Golf Club, Eglinton Park Course, Dublin. (1909 - 2007)
Kingstown Golf Club was founded in 1909.
Following WW1 Harry Colt was hired to design the new 18-hole layout.
In 1922 the club’s name changed to Dun Laoghaire (Kingstown) GC, Kingstown was dropped from the title in 1951.
It was reported in 2002 that the present course would eventually be developed for housing.
The Dun Laoghaire club relocated to Ballyman Glen in August 2007.
The original 9-hole course was laid out on 36 acres of land leased at Eglinton Park & Highthorn. There was a membership of 200 gents and 70 ladies. A clubhouse was erected at a cost £1265. In November 1910, course was extended to 18-holes when 40 acres were leased on the far side of the Glenageary road.
Extract from the report from the Irish Times on Saturday 11 December 1909. "Captain Bryan Cooper took the chair, and at once proposed that a club be formed. He was glad to be there last night for two reasons - one, it was a rest from politics; two, he was delighted to be associated with such a project in Kingstown. Kingstown club was now teed up, and he hoped the drive off would be a long one, and clear of any bunkers. The Earl of Langford, K.P., was elected President, and the following officers were elected; vice-presidents - Bryan Cooper, George Stewart, Herbert Dudgeon; captain, Captain Lionel Hewson, M.V.O; secretary, A A Hall; treasurer, Frank W Thompson. Herbert Dudgeon proposed that the membership be limited to 200 men and 100 ladies at an entrance fee for everyone of £2/2s and subs £2/2s.
The Earl of Longford was elected President of the golf club, unfortunately he lost his life at the Dardanelles in 1915. Viscount de Vesci succeeded him and continued in the position until 1958.
Full report below.
The Cup presented by Captain Bryan Cooper was played for on Monday 26 December 1910, there were 31 entries. Result; C Pearson, 99-20-79; R Hamilton Hunter, 90-10-80; W St. Leger Evans, 87-6-81; W F Coldwell, 106-25-81; A L Chapman, 107-25-82; F J Ritchie, 107-25-82.
Result of the ladies' monthly medal for February 1911; Miss Hayes, 107-25-82; Miss Coldwell, 109-27-82; Mrs Corkery, 103-20-83; Miss Gillespie, 105-22-83.
Result of a match against Killiney in July 1911.
Below is the result of a match played at Kingstown against Bray Golf Club in August 1911.
Kingstown Golf Club | Bray Golf Club | ||
W St. Leger Evans | 0 | F C McCormick | 1 |
F L Carleton | 0 | J H Maher | 1 |
R H Hunter | 1 | N O'B Risk | 0 |
Captain Hewson | 1 | R Rice | 0 |
A N Summerling | 0 | Dr. R W Brew | 1 |
J C Redmond | 1 | H T Huggard | 0 |
A H Tyler | 0 | G Price | 1 |
P Kelly | 1 | P G Mercer | 0 |
Dr. M Good | 0 | Dr. E O'Farrell | 1 |
S Fullwood | 1 | R Turner | 0 |
5 | 5 |
There were 72 entrants for a competition played in July 1915 in aid of the Red Cross Fund, Mr T J Bodley and K Dockrell tied for first place.
It was reported in March 1916 that the links would be closed until until further notice.
Following WW1 Harry Colt laid out a new 18-hole course.
Competitions played in July 1920
Professional match in October 1926.
From the 1928 to 1933 Golfer's Handbook; Dun Laoghaire (Kingstown) Golf Club; 18-hole course in Eglinton Park; Membership - 300 gents, 150 ladies; Secretary, Commander J W Stopford, R.N; Green-keeper, P Matthews; Professional, T Travers; Course records; Amateur - H R Sinclair, 71; Professional - J Sullivan, 68; Visitors' fees, 3s/6d a day, 10 shillings, week-ends and bank holidays; Ladies not allowed to play after one o' clock on Saturdays and not at all on Bank Holidays.
From the 1937 Golfer's Handbook; Dun Laoghaire (Kingstown) Golf Club; 18-hole course in Eglinton Park; Membership - 300 gents, 150 ladies; Secretary, George H Weldon, Bantry, Killiney; ; Professional, T Travers; 18-holes, SSS72; Course records; Amateur - E C Neale, 69; Professional - P O'Connor, 65; Visitors' fees, 3s/6d a day, 10 shillings, week-ends and bank holidays; Ladies not allowed to play after one o' clock on Saturdays and not at all on Bank Holidays.
New secretary in 1941.
From the 1947 to 1951 Golfer's Handbook; Dun Laoghaire (Kingstown) Golf Club; 18-hole course in Eglinton Park; Membership - 300 gents, 150 ladies; Secretary, P J O'Ryan; Professional and green-keeper, T Travers; 18-holes, Par 72, SSS 71; Course records; Amateur - J Malone, 67; Professional - P O'Connor, 65; Visitors' fees, 3s/6d a day, 10 shillings, week-ends and bank holidays; Ladies not allowed to play after one o' clock on Saturdays and not at all on Bank Holidays.
Prize presentation in April 1950.
Golfer's Handbook 1956; Dun Laoghaire Golf Club; 18-hole course in Eglinton Park; Membership - 350 gents, 200 ladies; Professional, T Travers; Green-keeper, J O'Reilly; 18-holes, SSS 68; Course records; Amateur - J Malone and E McGettrick 67; Professional - C Kane, 64; Visitors' fees, 5s day, 10 shillings, week-ends and bank holidays; Ladies not allowed to play between 1 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. on Saturdays and before 5.30 p.m. on Bank Holidays.
Golfer's Handbook 1961; Dun Laoghaire Golf Club; 18-hole course in Eglinton Park; Secretary, M Kerins; Membership - 330 gents, 175 ladies; Professional, A Whiston; Green-keeper, J Smyth; 18-holes, 5,838 yards, SSS 68; Course records; Amateur - R A Muldoon, 68; Professional - C Kane, 68; Visitors' fees, 5s day, 10 shillings, week-ends and bank holidays; Ladies not allowed to play between 1 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. on Saturdays and before 5.30 p.m. on Bank Holidays.
Golfer's Handbook 1972; Membership 525; Secretary, Lt. Col. R F Dalton; Professional A Whiston; 18-holes, 5,799 yards, SSS 67; Course records; Amateur - D M Hogan, 67; Professional - M Murphy, 65; Visitors, 75p (£1 weekends).
Golfer's Handbook 1982; Membership 928; Secretary, T Stewart; Professional, Owen Mulhall; 18-holes, 6,044 yards, SSS 68; Course records; Amateur - J P Murphy, 68; Professional - P Skerritt, 65; Visitors, £4 (£5).
Reflections on the club in August 1986.
Golfer's Handbook 1988 to 1991; Membership 972; Secretary, T Stewart; Professional, Owen Mulhall; 18-holes, 5,463 metres, SSS 69; Course records; Amateur - P McCormack, 66; Professional - P Skerritt, 65; Visitors, £13 (£16); £20 in 1991.
Golfer's Handbook 1994 to 1998; Membership 972; Secretary, T Stewart; Professional, Owen Mulhall; 18-holes, 5,478 metres, SSS 69; Course records; Amateur - P McCormack Jr., and M Mannion, 66; Professional - P Skerritt, 65; Visitors, £26.
Golfer's Handbook 2002 to 2004; Membership 880; General Manager, D A Peacock; Professional, V Carey; 18-holes, 4,478 metres, SSS 69; Visitors, £35.
The Google Map below pinpoints the location of the earlier Kingstown course.