18 Hole Links
Course Facts: Address
Narin
Portnoo
Co. DonegalSecretary/Manager: Sean Murphy Captain: Sean Houston Lady Captain: Nan Quinn Telephone: 074-9545107 President: Enda Bonner & Celia Keeney Public No: 074-9545332 Vice-Captain: Sean Houston & Kileen Kennedy Fax: 074-9545994 Hon. Secretary: Willie Quinn & Ann Hayden E-mail: narinportnoo@eircom.com Club Pro: Cathal Donoghue & Maureen Cunningham Website: www.narinportnoogolfclub.ie Hon. Treasurer: Michael Gallagher & Brid O'Keeffe Founded: 1930 Designed by: Hughie McNeill, Leo Wallace & Eddie Connaughton (2004) Membership: 594 Course opening hours: Daylight hours Green Fees Midweek: €45 Clubhouse opening hours: 9.00am to 12.00pm Green Fees Weekends & B.H.: €50 Mobile phones: Not on course or in clubhouse Green Fees With a Member: €50% Dress Code: Neat casual, no denim Green Fees For Opens: €45/50 Catering: Full catering facilities Practice Area: Yes Days to Avoid: None (Phone Weekends) Club Hire: Yes Green Fees and Societies Welcome: All times Buggy Hire: Yes Pre-booking for open tournaments: Time sheet in operation Soft spikes: No
Course Description:
Narin and Portnoo Golf Club is situated in a beautiful seaside resort in southwest Donegal, six miles from Glenties. It is considered one of the most scenic 18-hole links courses in Ireland , with sweeping views of Gweebarra Bay. A previous layout (designed by Harry Hamill of Royal Portrush) on much of the site of the current club opened in 1905 but had ceased to exist by 1919. Launched officially in July 1930, Narin and Portnoo Golf Club is engagingly old fashioned, with a meandering routing over and around the dunes. A recent course development has increased the par to 73 and has increased the range of shots required to negotiate the terrain. A warm friendly welcome awaits visitors and societies to Narin and Portnoo Golf Club and it is ideal for year-round golf. Voted the No. 80-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Golf Digest Ireland” in 2008.
Open & Major fixtures 2008: Event
Start
Finish
Type
Duration
December Singles Stableford Wednesday 10 December Open 1 Singles Stableford Wednesday 17 December Open 1 3-Ball Scramble Saturday 20 December Open 1 Fourball Betterball Sunday 21 December Open 1 3-Ball Scramble Saturday 27 December Open 1 Singles Stableford Sunday 28 December Open 1
Club History
Narin and Portnoo Golf Club was founded in 1930 when five local men decided that the warren in Narin had the potential to be developed into a testing links. Canon Ernest Devlin, Rev. Boyce, William Hemmersbach, William ODonnell and Francis J. McLoone saw the fillip to the tourist trade that a golf course would provide and they pooled their resources to rent the land from the five landlords concerned. A number of rudimentary holes were already in existence and help was sought from Hughie McNeill, the professional in Portrush to bring those holes up to scratch.
On July 9, 1930 William O’Donnell launched a drive down the first and a golf club was born. A committee was formed in 1931 with Mr. O’Donnell the first captain and by the spring of 1932, nine holes had been laid out.
Jim McCole was appointed greenkeeper in 1934 and would hold the post until 1977. Under his stewardship, Narin developed a reputation for fast links greens and the sight of Jim on his knees plucking rye grass was not an uncommon one.
Throughout the thirties the membership grew and a decision was taken in April 1938 to build a clubhouse. Joseph Cunningham & Sons, Killybegs were awarded the contract and on September 1, 1939 H.A. McDevitte T.D. officially opened the small, wooden pavilion. It would serve as the clubhouse until 1968.
John O’Donnell of Ardara and John Gillespie of Narin were the leading golfers in the first half century of the club’s existence, with the latter going round the nine holes in 33 shots on two occasions. Fairways were only cut once or twice a year, which made the course play longer than its actual length, a problem accentuated by the prevalence of moss.
The war years were traumatic for the golf club due to transport difficulties and finances didn’t improve much afterwards. Attracting new members wasn’t proving easy and but for the fundraising efforts of the Portnoo Dramatic Club, the club may have folded in the mid-fifties. The thespians toured throughout the county and presented £600 to the committee after several years fundraising. The corner had been turned. Improvements were made to the nine-hole layout and in 1957 the current sixteenth hole replaced the sodden second on the initiative of Louis Walsh. A decision was taken in 1960 to rent more land from Barney McNelis and on June 24th, 1965 Donagh O’Malley, T.D. opened the new eighteen hole course. A first-ever victory in the Inter Club League in 1967 under the captaincy of Patsy Sweeney showed that the club was moving in the right direction on the playing front.
Membership improved sufficiently to justify the building of a bigger clubhouse and this was accomplished by Joe McMenamin & Sons, Stranorlar in 1968 with a grant of £6000 from Bord Fáilte easing the financial burden. A new car park followed in 1970, while new machinery made life a little easier for the greens staff. Donal McBride became Honorary Secretary in 1978 and he entered the club for the first time in the Pierce Purcell, Scratch Cup and Ulster Cup. Fr. Brendan McBride represented Ulster that same year, a first for a Narin & Portnoo player. A successful Pro-Am was launched in 1979 which heightened the club’s profile even further.
The likes of Eamon Darcy, Christy O’Connor and David Feherty were big draws and the standard of golf reflected this, with Bobby Browne shooting a 63 in 1979 to set a new course record. The amateur record of 63 was set by Ballybofey’s Enda McMenamin in 1990.
An extension to the clubhouse was added in 1990 and in 2001 the club purchased that part of the course owned by Mrs. Mary McNelis for £750,000. A course re-alignment in 2004 has increased the par to 73 and created several holes of unquestioned beauty. From eighteen members in 1930, the club now caters for close on 730. Its founders’ vision has been justified and the best years surely lie ahead.
Location
6 miles north of Glenties, through the village of Narin and keep right.
Members Achievements
2004 Lady Captain Maria Rafferty (30) and her Captain's Prize Winner Natalie Guildea (10) were qualifiers with 34 pts. in the Volkswagen-Irish Independent Lady Captain's Classic at Co. Sligo Golf Club in August 2004 they qualified for the National Finals at Hermitage on 4th October.
Card of the Course (yards)
Hole No White Yellow Par Index Red Par Index 1 289 283 4 11 280 4 13 2 480 450 5 9 410 5 1 3 171 161 3 15 140 3 15 4 416 407 4 1 390 5 17 5 367 357 4 7 310 4 7 6 400 380 4 5 365 4 3 7 130 125 3 13 130 3 5 8 311 301 4 17 275 4 11 9 365 355 4 3 247 4 9 Out 2,929 2,819 35 2,547 36 10 485 475 5 2 389 5 2 11 180 160 3 16 112 3 16 12 390 370 4 10 329 4 8 13 463 439 5 12 372 5 4 14 490 470 5 8 430 5 12 15 110 106 3 18 95 3 18 16 480 460 5 4 420 5 10 17 377 367 4 6 300 4 6 18 365 350 4 14 321 4 14 In 3,340 3,197 38 2,768 37 Total 6,269 6.016 73 5,315 73 SSS 73 72 73
Men's Course Record: Am: 63 Enda McMenamin 1990 Pro: 63 Bobby Brown
Ladies Course Record: 70 Marie Walsh 1999
Roll of Honour C. Bonner 1989 Ladies Captain Michael Bonner 1989 Men's Captain Rev. Brendan McBride 1989 President M. McHugh 1990 Ladies Captain Sally Jennings 1990 Ladies President Michael Gallagher 1990 Men's Captain Liam O'Hagen 1990 President A. O'Shea 1991 Ladies Captain Sally Jennings 1991 Ladies President Austin McNeill 1991 Men's Captain Liam O'Hagen 1991 President A. Hayden 1992 Ladies Captain Peg Gillespie 1992 Ladies President Enda Bonner 1992 Men's Captain Rev. George Good 1992 President M. Nicholson 1993 Ladies Captain Peg Gillespie 1993 Ladies President Seamus McGarvey 1993 Men's Captain Rev. George Good 1993 President C. McGee 1994 Ladies Captain Bridie Rankin 1994 Ladies President Francis Cunningham 1994 Men's Captain Donal McBride 1994 President B. Shovelin 1995 Ladies Captain Bridie Rankin 1995 Ladies President Jim Gallagher 1995 Men's Captain Donal McBride 1995 President F. Munnelly 1996 Ladies Captain Breid Boyle 1996 Ladies President Paddy Campbell 1996 Men's Captain Michael Naughton 1996 President G. Cafferty 1997 Ladies Captain Breid Boyle 1997 Ladies President Tony Bonnor 1997 Men's Captain Michael Naughton 1997 President B. Cunningham 1998 Ladies Captain Anne McBride 1998 Ladies President Tom Glynn 1998 Men's Captain Patrick (Yank) Boyle 1998 President Mauire Walsh 1999 Ladies Captain Ann McBride 1999 Ladies President Dom Gallagher 1999 Men's Captain Patsy (Yank) Boyle 1999 President Colette Bonner 2000 Ladies Captain Francis Munnelly 2000 Ladies President John Michael O'Donnell 2000 Men's Captain Vincent Herron 2000 President Annette McGettigan 2001 Ladies Captain Francis Munnelly 2001 Ladies President Bobby Cunningham 2001 Men's Captain Vincent Herron 2001 President Brid O'Keeffe 2002 Ladies Captain Bridie Cunningham 2002 Ladies President Willie Quinn 2002 Men's Captain Seamus McGarvey 2002 President Mary Doherty 2003 Ladies Captain Bridie Cunningham 2003 Ladies President Harold Reid 2003 Men's Captain Seamus McGarvey 2003 President Maria Rafferty 2004 Ladies Captain Maureen Cunningham 2004 Ladies President David Kelly 2004 Men's Captain Colm Melly 2004 President Phillipa Mullen 2005 Ladies Captain Maureen Cunningham 2005 Ladies President Frankie Kennedy 2005 Men's Captain Colm Melly 2005 President Goretti Cunningham 2006 Ladies Captain Wendy Paterson 2006 Ladies President Justin Gillespie 2006 Men's Captain Enda Bonner 2006 President Margaret Murphy 2007 Ladies Captain Wendy Paterson 2007 Ladies President Conal Keeney 2007 Men's Captain Enda Bonner 2007 President Marie Walsh (7.2) 2008 Lowest Ladies H'cap David Cannon (4.8) 2008 Lowest Men's H'cap
Holes-in-One Person Date Hole No. Club Used Distance Anne McBride 13 July 2005 16th 100 m Austin Laverty 21 December 2004 8th 130 m Barry Doherty 29 June 2003 16th 110 m Benny Quinn 19 March 2005 16th 120 m Bert Hill 15 March 1997 8th 130 m Brendan Quinn 22 July 2004 8th 130 m Brian Robertson 14 February 2002 6th 198 m Colette Bonner 28 May 2005 6th 143 m Colm Melly 12 April 1987 8th 130 m Connell Kennedy 16 May 1993 6th 198 m Danny McGinley 6 June 1992 8th 130 m Danny McGinley 14 November 1993 3rd 171 m Denis Carberry 8 June 1986 16th 110 m Denis Carbery 11 July 1993 16th 110 m Dom Quinn 12 June 1994 8th 130 m Eamon McGill 13 April 1997 13th 170 m Finbar Boyle 13 April 1992 16th 110 m Fr. Brendan McBride 1 July 1965 6th 187 m Frank McGinley 8 June 2003 16th 110 m Frankie Kennedy 24 August 1991 6th 198 m Frankie Kennedy 15 November 1992 16th 110 m Frankie Kennedy 2 May 2004 11th 180 m George Doherty 17 August 1991 3rd 171 m Gerard J. Doherty 10 October 2001 8th 130 m Harold Reid 7 December 2003 11th 180 m Harry McGee 10 July 2002 13th 180 m Hugh Jackson 19 June 1983 11th 180 m Hugo McGarrigle 1 August 2002 11th 180 m J. A. McNeill 17 October 1990 11th 180 m J. J. McBride 1 July 1952 2nd 144 m James Byrne 1 November 2004 8th 130 m James McGinley 16 October 2000 16th 110 m James McGinley 1 June 1978 16th 110 m James McRory 9 August 2002 11th 170 m Jim McRory 22 August 1997 16th 110 m Jimmy Cunningham 13 May 1995 6th 198 m Joan McCole 21 February 1997 16th 95 m John J. Doherty 11 April 2004 8th 130 m John Lennon 22 August 2004 8th 130 m John McBride 15 May 1994 13th 170 m John McBride 1 May 2002 16th 110 m John McCole 16 February 2005 13th 170 m John Michael McDonnell 8 September 1991 11th 180 m John Michael O'Donnell 20 February 1983 16th 110 m John Molloy 24 June 2004 8th 130 m Josie O'Boyle 23 July 1997 16th 110 m Kevin Harley 17 July 2005 16th 110 m Kevin McCready 25 February 2005 8th 125 m Lee Heron 4 August 1986 16th 110 m Leo Gallagher 1 June 1961 3rd 141 m Marie Walsh 21 July 2005 16th 95 m Marie Walsh 24 August 1996 3rd 131 m Marie Walsh 30 March 1997 13th 154 m Martin Arnold 25 September 1993 11th 180 m Martin Sweeney 1 June 2001 8th 130 m Martin Whelan 1 June 2000 6th 221 m Mary Nicholson 12 July 1994 6th 163 m Mary Nicholson 12 February 1996 16th 95 m Max Cannon 13 August 2005 16th 110 m Michael Bonner 23 July 1989 13th 170 m Michael Naughton 14 April 1982 8th 130 m Myles Cunningham 1 June 1995 16th 110 m Myles Cunningham 22 March 1998 16th 110 m Nan Quinn 9 April 2004 16th 95 m Nan Quinn 21 April 2003 6th 163 m Nan Quinn 22 August 2000 16th 95 m Nora Gormley 13 May 1991 3rd 136 m Owen Bonner 15 July 1990 8th 130 m P. P. Roddy 1 November 1937 6th 166 m Pat Connaghan 10 September 2005 16th 106 m Pat McGinley 1 August 1995 16th 110 m Patrick A. Ree 8 August 2004 11th 175 m Patrick Gallagher 22 September 1997 16th 110 m Patsy Sweeney 1 November 1963 7th 95 m Patsy Yankee Boyle 11 October 1992 16th 110 m Paul McNamee 12 April 2004 11th 180 m Peter Logue 6 August 1994 13th 170 m Rory O'Boyle 17 April 1990 3rd 171 m Seamus Bonner 7 September 2003 16th 110 m Seamus Doherty 19 June 1983 13th 170 m Seamus McDonagh 1 January 2001 11th 180 m Sean Joseph Gallagher 30 March 2003 16th 110 m Sean McKenna 15 January 1995 16th 110 m Sean McKenna 10 May 2002 16th 110 m S Barry 1 July 1940 4th 143 m Stephen Cullen 5 December 2004 3rd 171 m Stephen McGinley 12 May 1996 11th 180 m Thomas Breslin 19 March 1990 8th 130 m Tom Glynn 5 June 1992 11th 180 m Vincent Rankin 10 July 1988 13th 170 m James McGuinness 11th October 2006 6th 198 m Brid O'Keeffe 2nd June 2006 13th 102 m Marie Corrigan 16th August 2006 11th 146 m Dennis Carbery 1st April 2007 7th 130 m Harry Reid 2nd April 2007 7th 130 m Michael Cooke 7th April 2007 16th 110 m