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Kilkenny Golf Club. (1896 - 1923)
The club was founded in 1896.
The first course was located at Bishop’s Demesne.
In 1901 the club moved to a course at Richview, Castlecomer Road.
In 1908 they were on the move again to a course at Kilcreene where they remained until 1923.
The Kilkenny Golf Club moved to its current location at Newtown in March 1923.
Professionals at the Kilkenny Golf Club prior to its move in 1923; Thomas Browne – 1902-1907; P Walsh – 1905/6; P Power – 1912 -1914.
Below is a report on the opening of the course in April 1896.
From the Belfast News-Letter Tuesday 7th April 1896. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Monthly competition result from March 1903; Gentlemen – A M Hall-Dare, 89-12-77; J J O’Connell, 95-13-82; A M Burden, 98-14-84; W Swan, 108-24-84; C F Potter, 101-16-85; F B Neville, 109-24-85; H O’Connell, 113-28-85; D J Ross, 99-13-86; W K Carew, 104-18-86; P A Brown, 101-14-87; Capt. A M Mallon, 97-8-89; Capt. W H Bredin, 111-22-89; M J Buggy, 125-30-95; Dr. J B Hackett, 132-30-102. Ladies – Miss Hackett, 73-15-58; Miss F M Hackett, 72-12-60; Miss McDermott, 80-19-61; Mrs Hackett, 85-20-65; Mrs Hall-Dare, 81-10-71; Mrs Bredin, 96-20-76; Mrs Burden, 104-22-82; Miss Sullivan, 104-19-85; Miss A Sullivan, 110-13-97.
Below is a report on a match played at Tramore in July 1903.
From the Waterford Standard Wednesday 29th July 1903. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
From the 1905 Nisbet’s Golf Yearbook; *Instituted 1901; Membership of 55; Station Kilkenny half mile; Hon. secretary – J J O’Connell, National Bank House, Kilkenny; Entrance fee nil and subs £1; Nine-holes; Green-keeper, J Walsh; Amateur record – J J O’Connell, 40; Terms for visitors – 1s a day, 2s/6d a week, 5s a month, on introduction. An inland course open from November to April only. *Interesting to note that the club was Instituted in 1901.
The following report on the new course at Kilcreene is from the Irish Times Monday 16th November 1908 – “Opening of new links at Kilkenny – On Saturday last in pleasant weather, and in the presence of a large attendance, the new links of the Kilkenny Golf Club at Kilcreene, were opened by the Marchioness of Ormonde. The grounds are beautifully situated and should prove a great boon to the many enthusiastic golfers which the club comprises within its ranks. The Marchioness of Ormonde hit the opening shot amidst loud applause, and declared the course open. Major Joyce, on behalf of the club, presented the Marchioness with a silver mounted golf ball, resting on a silver tee, and suitably inscribed. A competition for prizes took place afterwards, with the following results. In the ladies round Miss M McElroy was first, and in the gentlemen’s W J Cotton secured the trophy.”
Below a glowing report on the Kilcreene golf course.
From the Irish Times Saturday 21st August 1909. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The club became affiliated to the Golfing Union of Ireland in 1910.
The long serving honorary secretary, J J O’Connell left the club in 1913. Mercier Jones took over the post.
Along with many clubs, for obvious reasons, things became difficult with the onset of WW1 and golf was not amongst the priorities with the game hardly being played.
The club began playing on the current course at Newtown in 1924.
The Google Map below shows the location of the former course at Kilcreene Lodge.