36 Hole Links
Course Facts: Address
Sandhill Road
Ballybunion
Co. KerrySecretary/Manager: Simon Duffield Captain: Tom Corridan Lady Captain: Dori Cotter Telephone: 068-27146 President: Dan Murphy & Norma McKeon Public No: 068-27146 Vice-Captain: Michael Nagle & Marian Flannery Fax: 068-27387 Hon. Secretary: Gerard Walsh & Carol Ann Coolican E-mail: info@ballybuniongolfclub.ie Club Pro: Brian O'Callaghan Website: www.ballybuniongolfclub.ie Hon. Treasurer: Batt O'Keeffe & Ann O'Keeffe Founded: 1893 Designed by: R Trent Jones (Cashen) Lionel Hewson & Tom Simpson (Old) Membership: 2153 Course opening hours: Daylight hours Green Fees Midweek: €165 Clubhouse opening hours: 7.00am to 11.30pm Green Fees Weekends & B.H.: €165 Mobile phones: Not on course or in clubhouse Green Fees With a Member: €165 Dress Code: Neat casual, no denim Green Fees For Opens: €25 Catering: Full catering facilities Practice Area: Yes Days to Avoid: Weekends & bank holidays Club Hire: Yes Green Fees and Societies Welcome: Other days Buggy Hire: Yes Pre-booking for open tournaments: 14 Days in advance Soft spikes: No
Course Description:
Tom Watson the Millennium Captain at Ballybunion first visited this magnificent links course when he chose it to fine-tune his game before defending The Open title at Royal St. George’s in 1981. Watson sang its praises loudly when he declared "After playing Ballybunion for the first time, a man would think the game was invented there". He went on: "There is a wild look to the place; the wild grass covering the dunes that pitch and roll, make it very intimidating. But the contours on the fairways and on the greens are what makes, it a great course. You must play accurate iron shots into the greens, usually to a small target with not a lot of room to miss right or left".Herbert Warren-Wind, the American golf writer described it as "nothing less than the finest seaside course I have ever seen".
Ballybunion was the venue for the Murphy’s Irish Open in the Millennium year and the Captain described the choice as "With its unique, vertical dimension, demanding uphill and downhill shots, it was meant to stage such an event". The 2000 Murphy’s Irish Open was won by, Patrik Sjoland with a score of 270.
Bill Clinton has visited Ballybunion twice, once as President of the US on the 8th September 1998 and again in 2001. Indeed I received the following letter from the President after Dick Spring presented him with a bronze of a Bald-Headed eagle in flight, on a golf ball, on a golf hole on my behalf. "Dear Tony, I enjoyed my visit to Ireland very much and was delighted with the warm welcome I receive. Thank you for the bronze eagle. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity and Hillary joins me in sending best wishes". Sincerely Bill Clinton.
Robert Trent Jones designed the Cashen Course the jury is still out as to which is the better and greater test of golf. Regardless of which side one comes down on, Ballybunion is in position of the two most magnificent links courses to be found anywhere in the world. It is no wonder that golfers come from all corners of the world to saver "the champagne air" off the Atlantic Ocean only to be found at Ballybunion.
Ballybunion's Old Course was voted the No. 3-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Golf Digest Ireland” in 2008.
Ballybunion's Cashen Course was voted the No. 77-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Golf Digest Ireland” in 2008.
Ballybunion's Old Course was voted No. 6 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2008, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland.
Open & Major fixtures 2008: Event
Start
Finish
Type
Duration
No fixtures until 2009.
Club History
Instituted 1896 affiliated 1901The first mention of golf at Bally B. is in the Golfers Annual 1895-96, which gives its instituted date as 1896.
The first meeting of the old club took place on 4th March 1896. The first President was Mr. George Hewson and the first Hon. Secretary was Mr. C. Mark Montserrat. It was, financed by the Lartigue Railway Co.
The club went into decline about 1898. Herbert Warren Wind in book the Lure of Golf states that "when the club was reformed in 1906 after financial woes had brought down the original organisation, Captain Lionel Hewson, for many years editor of the Irish Golf magazine, built the nine holes that became the present layout." This was one of Hewson’s proudest achievements.
The people behind the revival of Bally B were Col. Bartholomew, an ex-Indian officer, Mr. B. J. Johnston, of the Bank of Ireland, Listowel, Mr Patrick McCarthy, who served as Hon. Secretary in the original club, whose son William served as Hon. Secretary from 1928-52 and Mr. John Macaulay of Listowel. It extended to 18 holes in 1927. The work was, carried out by Carter & Sons of London. The GUI Selected Bally B. for the Irish Close Championship in 1937, the club called in the renowned course architect Mr Tom Simpson who only say fit to change three greens. The 1937 Championship was won by Jimmy Bruen. However the ILGU had already discovered the magic of Bally B. as they held the 1932 Irish Ladies Championship in that year. It was, won by Miss Betty Latchford a local Lady. Many a famous Championship and person has graced the famous links since. Bill Clinton played here in on 5th September 1988, Tom Watson was Captain in 2000 and it was the Venue of the Murphy’s Irish Open on 29th July-2nd August 2000.
Location
Just outside the town of Ballybunion take the coast road and this world famous Links is on your right-hand side.
Members Achievements
The Ladies of Ballybunion Golf Club were Southern District winners of the All-Ireland Intermediate Cup in 2006, when the team was, Nola Adams, Pudge O’Reilly, Georgina Keane, Nuala Lynch, Noirin Hitchen, Ann-Marie Carroll, Louise Griffin, Katherine Tangney, Marie Reen, Del O’Sullivan, they were managed by Mary Stack assisted by Judy McMahon.Ballybunion Golf Club won the Munster Final of the Barton Shield and were drawn against a very strong Connacht Champions Galway Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final at Rosslare on Wednesday 14th September 2005.
Eoin O’Connor & Hannes Boch were drawn against John Neary & Eddie McCormack when they lost out by 6-holes. They were followed by J. D. Guiney & Peter Sheehan against Joe Lyons and Mark O’Sullivan who beat them by 5-holes. So it was not to be Bally B. year but it is good to see this famous club up there with the best of them in this “real” Blue Riband of Irish Golf.
Ballybunion Golf Club won the Munster Final of the Bulmers Jimmy Bruen Shield and were drawn against Connacht Champions Carrick-on-Shannon in the All-Ireland Semi-Final at Rosslare Golf Club on Friday 16th August 2005.
Brendan McKeon & Eoin O’Shaughnessy were drawn against Noel Sharkey & Alan Ffrench in the first match, which they won 4 and 3. They were followed by Didgie O’Connor & David Mulvihill who halved their match against Sean Mulvey & Albert Hogg. Edward Stack & Dominic Moriarty were next on the tee against Felim Gately & Johnny Martin and won their match by 4 and 3. The 4th match say Jonathan Murphy & Kieran Kennelly pitched against Noel McDermott & Joey Casey who recorded another convincing win by 4 and 3. the bottom match say Mark Dilger & Des O’Donnell, halve their match against Sean Bohan & Darragh Burke. So having had a 4 matches to 1 match against the Connacht champions they met Leinster Champions The Island the following day,
Brendan McKeon & Eoin O’Shaughnessy were drawn against Joe Cuffe & Stephen Rogers and lost by 5 and 4. Edward Stack & Dominic Moriarty were drawn against Denis Gaffney and Barry Hughes and had a bad day with a 6 and 5 defeat. Next up was Johnathan Murphy & Kieran Kennelly who halved their match against Anthony Sheridan & Ian McCormack. They were followed by Mark Dilger & Des O’Donnell who secured another half for Bally B. The anchor team was Didgie O’Connor & David Mulvihill who lost out to Noel Rodgers & Conor Whyte.
It was back in 1979 since this famous club last won the “Bruen” and even under the captaincy of “The Bommer’s” brother Donal "Dads" Liston. 2005 was not to be their year. It was interesting to note that Didgie O’Connor was on the Ballybunion Pierce Purcell All-Ireland winning team at Royal Portrush in 1975, which yet again proves that one can enjoy and compete in this wonderful game for as long as you wish.
The Ladies of Ballybunion Golf Club won the ILGU Munster Junior League in 2004, when the team was, Nola Adams, Georgina Keane, Lucy McAullife, Marjorie Morkan, Kathleen Tangney, Maureen Dillane, Angela Fahy and Ann O'Keeffe, they were managed by Ann O'Brien assisted by Doreen Kenny.
Michael Farrell won the Silver Medal at the inaugural Ulster Bank All-Ireland Championships, at Athlone Golf Club on October 6th 2002, when he returned a score of 71.
J. Molyneaux was elected to the council of the Munster Branch of the GUI for 2001.
Prior to 2001:
Ballybunion Golf Club won the All-Ireland Jimmy Bruen Shield at Royal Portrush in 1979, when the team was Sean Walsh, Michael Henigan, Maurice Clarke, John Molyneaux, Ryle Dwyer, Bobby O'Mahony, Don Gorman, Gerry Galvin, Maurice Fahy, Joe Griffin, Michael Coote, Bill Harnett and Declan Lovett, they were managed by Michael Nagle.
They won the All-Ireland Pierce Purcell Shield at Royal Portrush Golf Club in 1975, when the team was Niall O'Brien, Des Burke, Conor Stack, Michael Nagle, Sean McCarthy, Paddy Taylor, Tom O'Keeffe, Didgie O'Connor, Paudie Kinlon, Michael Noonan and Jackie Hourigan, they were captained by Dan Murphy.
They won the All-Ireland Pierce Purcell Shield at Lahinch Golf Club in 1973, when the team was Dan Murphy, Michael O'Shea, Harry Barrett, Francis Bennett, Michael Noonan, David Geany, John Harmon, P. J. Byrne, Michael Fitzgerald, Michael Nagle, Paddy Taylor, they were managed by Michael O'Hanlon.
Ballybunion won the Munster Final of the Irish Senior Cup, when they beat a very strong Limerick team in the final and went on to play Shandon Park in the All-Ireland at Lahinch on 22nd September 2000. The squad was John O'Donnell, Brian O'Callaghan, Tim Hickey, John Carroll, Pat Harnett and Eoin O'Connor. The team Captain was Brian O'Callaghan. They went down to Co. Sligo in the Semi-Final. The team on the day was John O'Donnell, John Carroll, Tim Hickey, Eoin O'Connor and Pat Harnett.
They won the Professionals-Captain Foursomes in 1986 with Ted Higgins and Joe O'Sullivan and again in 1991 with Ted Higgins and Dominic Lynch.
They won the Bill O'Sullivan Shield at Killarney in 1990, when the team was J. J. Molyneaux, Jim Enright, Jim Daly, Toddy Enright, Patsy Costello, Donie Griffin, James Moloney, Michael Whelan, Nick Roberts and Martin Murp2hy, they were managed by John Molyneaux.
They won the Munster Irish Junior Cup, with W. J. Buckley, M. Murphy, G. Mulvihill, J. Dolan, P. Kelliher, F. Dore and A. Bennett, they were managed by Sean Walsh.
They won the Munster Irish Club Youths' Championship in 1993, when the team was Gary Mlvilhill, Gary Scanlon, Sean Quinlivan and Dessie O'Hanlon, they were managed by Robert O'Mahony.
Ballybunion Golf Club won the Munster Junior Foursomes in 1998, when the team was Eoin O'Connor, Aidan Buckley, John O'Donnell, Jonathan Murphy, John Fitzell and Shane Lavery.
They won the County Championship of the J. B. Carr Diamond Trophy in 1996, when the team was, Didgie O'Connor, Edmund Stack, Michael F. Barrett, Patsy O'Sullivan, Maurice Clarke, Michael D. O'Sullivan, John Molyneaux, J. C. O'Brien, Donal Hannon, Jimmy McGowan, Tom McKeon, Michael Cotter, P. J. Walsh, Sean McCarthy, they were managed by Sean Walsh
They won it again in 1999, when the team was, Maurice Clarke, Tom McNamara, Brendan O'Neill, Bob Gidlow, Michael Henigan, Tom McKeon, Michael O'Connor, Michael P. Murphy, Jimmy McGowan, Seamus Finnerty, Eamonn McSweeney, Milo Spillane, Michael F. Barrett, Stevie Brosnan, Didgie O'Connor, John Barry, Donal Hannon, William Hayes, they were managed by Sean Walsh.
They last won the J. B. Carr County Championship in 2001, when the team was, Kevin Barrett, Stevie Brosnan, Paddy Boucher-Hayes, Patrick A. Costelloe, Seamus Finnerty, Donie Griffin, Bob Gidlow, Tom McNamara, Eamon McSweeney, Dominic Moriarty, Martin Murphy, Michael O'Connor, Brian O'Flaherty, Brendan O'Neill, Brendan O'Sullivan, Tony O'Sullivan, Michael D. O'Sullivan, Milo Spillane, Edmund Stack, Sean Walsh, they were managed by Robert O'Mahony.
The Ladies' of Ballybunion Golf Club won the Ladies Munster Junior League in 1984 at Killarney Golf Club, when the team was, Phil Beary, Sighle Henigan, Angela Fahy, Bernie Rohan, Mary Stack and Carmel Fleming they were captained by Del O'Sullivan.
They won the Munster Junior League again in 1991 when they defeated Dooks Golf Club at Mallow Golf Club, when the team was, Toni Quilter, Josette O'Donnell, Mary Stack, Sighle Henigan, Corrina Buckley, Rose Molyneaux and Breda Barrett.
They won the Ladies Munster Minor League in 1982, when the team was Phil Beary, Marie Galvin, Ann O'Brien, Angela Fahy and Mary Stack.
They Won the Munster Ladies Intermediate League in 1981 when the team was Ann Corridan Margaret Harnett, Doreen Kenny, Eileen Kenny and Anne Moore, they were captained by Anne O'Brien.
They won the ILGU Junior League in 2000, when the team was Orla Boyle, Carmel Carroll, Maureen Dillane, Lucy McAuliffe, Marjorie Morkan, Marie O'Callaghan and Katherine Tangney, they were managed by Ann O'Keeffe.
Mother & Daughter Toni and Michelle Quilter dominated the Australian Spoons competition on the Cashen Course, when they won by a clear nine shots. Toni went on to win the gross prize a few days later over the world famous Old Course in May of 2000.
Sean Quinlivin participated in the Boys Home International matches from 1990 to 1993 and played 16 matches and won the Tom Montgomery Award in 1990 with 1990 points. He represented Munster from 1995 to 1997 and played Munster Youths from 1991 to 1996 playing 30 matches.
V. Maloney played Munster Youths in 1989 Aiden Buckley played Munster Boys in 1998.
Donagh Walsh played Munster Boys in 1996.
Mary Harnett played for the Irish Girls in 1978.
Card of the old course (yards)
Hole No Blue White Green Par Index Red Par Index 1 392 366 329 4 11 259 4 17 2 445 394 385 4 1 354 5 3 3 220 211 185 3 9 189 3 9 4 520 504 490 5 17 462 5 5 5 524 496 481 5 15 410 5 7 6 364 344 324 4 7 285 4 11 7 432 415 386 4 5 351 4 1 8 153 137 125 3 13 120 3 13 9 454 430 411 4 3 393 5 15 Out 3,504 3,297 3,116 36 2,823 38 10 359 336 312 4 10 262 4 12 11 453 400 384 4 2 346 4 2 12 192 179 166 3 8 162 3 6 13 484 466 466 5 16 414 5 14 14 131 127 118 3 18 122 3 10 15 212 197 197 3 4 183 4 18 16 499 475 475 5 14 376 5 16 17 385 362 362 4 6 312 4 4 18 379 370 360 4 12 300 4 8 In 3,094 2,912 2,840 35 2,477 36 Total 6,598 6,209 5,956 71 5,300 74 SSS 72 70 68 72
Men's Course Record Am: 67 P. Mulcare
Ladies Course Record:
Card of the Cashen course (yards)
Hole No Blue White Green Par Index Red Par Index 1 522 484 449 5 10 404 5 4 2 377 359 334 4 4 306 4 8 3 154 141 119 3 18 127 3 12 4 350 325 303 4 8 280 4 14 5 314 303 291 4 16 220 4 10 6 155 143 129 3 12 107 3 16 7 378 373 359 4 6 243 4 18 8 605 585 563 5 2 481 5 6 9 478 451 435 5 14 338 4 2 Out 3,333 3,164 2,982 37 2,506 36 10 324 312 300 4 11 291 4 11 11 146 140 134 3 17 120 3 15 12 210 194 170 3 13 199 4 17 13 395 374 356 4 1 322 4 9 14 400 355 344 4 7 333 4 1 15 487 476 452 5 3 391 5 7 16 164 145 137 3 15 131 3 13 17 479 476 450 5 9 420 5 3 18 368 361 355 4 5 318 4 5 In 2,973 2,862 2,745 35 2,525 36 Total 6,306 6,026 5,727 72 5,031 72 SSS 72 71 70 72
Roll of Honour Mrs. Helen McWeeney 1989 Ladies Captain John Croghan 1989 Men's Captain Gerard Stack 1989 President Mrs. Martina Reid 1990 Ladies Captain Mrs. Tess Kissane 1990 Ladies President Owen McMahon 1990 Men's Captain Michael F. Barrett 1990 President Mrs. Eileen Kearns 1991 Ladies Captain Mrs. A. Sheehan 1991 Ladies President Jim Maher 1991 Men's Captain Michael F. Bennett 1991 President Mrs. Angela Fahy 1992 Ladies Captain Mrs. Nuala O'Sullivan 1992 Ladies President Dominic Lynch 1992 Men's Captain John Molyneaux 1992 President Mrs. Nuala Lynch 1993 Ladies Captain Mrs. P. Walsh 1993 Ladies President Sean Walsh 1993 Men's Captain John Molyneaux 1993 President Ms Marie O'Callaghan 1994 Ladies Captain Mrs. A. Gilmore-Shortis 1994 Ladies President John Fox 1994 Men's Captain Michael O'Connell 1994 President Mrs. Elizanne McMahon 1995 Ladies Captain Mrs. Annie T. Corridan 1995 Ladies President Toddy Enright 1995 Men's Captain Pat Lynch 1995 President Mrs. Rose Molyneaux 1996 Ladies Captain Mrs. Sighle Henigan 1996 Ladies President Joe Guerin 1996 Men's Captain Dr Michael Brosnan 1996 President Mrs. Eleanor O'Sullivan 1997 Ladies Captain Mrs. Peggy O'Connor 1997 Ladies President Dan O'Sullivan 1997 Men's Captain Jackie Hourigan 1997 President Mrs. Mai Maher 1998 Ladies Captain Joan Stack 1998 Ladies President Brian McCarthy 1998 Men's Captain Denis Brosnan 1998 President Mrs. Clare Hurley 1999 Ladies Captain Mrs. Mary O'Hanlon 1999 Ladies President Fintan Scannell 1999 Men's Captain Mr. Billy Browne 1999 President Mrs. Ray McCarthy 2000 Ladies Captain Mrs. Mary Stack 2000 Ladies President Mr. Tom Watson 2000 Men's Captain Mr. Gerard Collins 2000 President Maureen Dillane 2001 Ladies Captain P. Beary 2001 Ladies President Brendan O'Sullivan 2001 Men's Captain Ciaran Harris 2001 President Katherine Tangney 2002 Ladies Captain Ann O'Brien 2002 Ladies President John Sexton 2002 Men's Captain Timothy J. Hannan 2002 President Patricia Boyle 2003 Ladies Captain Joan Boucher-Hayes 2003 Ladies President Gerard Walsh 2003 Men's Captain Didgie O'Connor 2003 President Norma Browne 2004 Ladies Captain Joan Boucher-Hayes 2004 Ladies President Donal Liston 2004 Men's Captain Basil Patterson 2004 President Margaret Scannell 2005 Ladies Captain Thelma McAuliffe 2005 Ladies President Michael Shanahan 2005 Men's Captain Seamus Finnerty 2005 President Aideen O'Leary 2006 Ladies Captain Corrina Buckley-Higgins 2006 Ladies President Gerard Burke 2006 Men's Captain Sean Adams 2006 President Deirdre Dillane 2007 Ladies Captain Mary O'Connor 2007 Ladies President Pat Mulvihill 2007 Men's Captain Maurice Fahy 2007 President Dori Cotter 2008 Ladies Captain Norma McKeon 2008 Ladies President Tom Corridan 2008 Men's Captain Dan Murphy 2008 President 2008 Lowest Ladies H'cap David O'Driscoll 2008 Lowest Men's H'cap Hannes Boch 2008 Lowest Men's H'cap
Holes-in-One Person Date Hole No. Club Used Distance Payne Stewert 3rd Old 220 yd's Maureen Stack 31 October 2001 3rd Old 189 yd's Jerry Galvin 04 November 2001 6th Cashen 155 yd's Danny Kane 31 October 2004 15th Old 197 yd's Fintan Scannell 23 January 2005 14th Old 127 yd's