Carlow Golf Club

Address Deerpark
Carlow
Co. Carlow
Telephone: 059-9131695
Public No:  
Fax:  
E-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.carlowgolfclub.ie
Founded: 1899
Membership: 1214
Green Fees Midweek: €35
Green Fees Weekends & B.H.: €40/€50
Green Fees With a Member: €25/30
Green Fees For Opens: €20/30
Practice Area: Yes
Club Hire: Yes
Buggy Hire: Yes
Soft spikes: No
Secretary/Manager: Donard MacSweeney
Captain: Thos Hennessy
Lady Captain: Ms. Ann Doyle
President: Richard J. Smyth & Bridie Slater
Vice-Captain:  
Hon. Secretary:  
Club Pro: Andrew Gilbert 059-9141745
Hon. Treasurer:  
Designed by: Cecil Barcroft, (1922) & Tom Simpson, (1937)
Course opening hours: Daylight hours
Clubhouse opening hours: 9.30am to 11.30pm
Mobile phones: Not on course or in clubhouse
Dress Code: Neat casual, no denim
Catering: Full catering facilities
Days to Avoid: Sundays & Tuesdays
Green Fees and Societies Welcome: Other days
Pre-booking for open tournaments: 14 Days in advance
Location
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Course Description
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Set in the beautiful green countryside of the South East. Carlow Golf Club is an 18-hole Parkland course laid out in a former deer park attached to the former Bruen Estate. This, Championship course was designed by Cecil Barcroft in 1922 and redesigned by Tom Simpson assisted by Molly Gourlay in 1937. The course has a sandy subsoil which is links-like with undulating terrain, numerous elevated tees, several excellent doglegs and small slick putting surfaces. Carlow is playable twelve months of the year and a plugged ball is almost unheard of.

Its qualities are further enhanced by the water hazards at the 1st, 2nd, 10th and 11th. There are many long par 4’s and the 16th a very demanding two shotter, played through a tunnel-like valley, has been noted by Christy O’Connor "Himself" as the best 16th in Ireland. The par 5 18th offers the chance of a closing birdie and a grandstand finish as it tumbles downhill all the way to the Clubhouse. A good ending to a, memorable round of golf. The course is rated among the top Championship Courses in Ireland.

Voted the No. 30-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Golf Digest Ireland” in 2008.


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Open & Major Fixtures 2011
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See Event Calendar here.

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Club History
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Instituted 1899 affiliated 1901

A meeting in the County Club was held on 18th May, 1899, where Carlow Golf Club was founded. The club was for the golfers of Carlow and Athy. Captain, Stewart Duckett was in the chair. The club was to be called the Royal Leinster Golf Club and located at Gotham midway between Carlow and Athy. Lady Walter Fitzgerald of Kilkea Castle was President and Dr. Brennan was elected Hon. Secretary. The Royal title does not appear again after the first meeting. It was a nine-hole course laid out by the Bray professional called Larkin.

Athy formed its own club in 1906, which had a very serious effect on the older club and its membership dropped to ten or twelve. In 1921 the late Very Rev. M. H. Bolger P.P. his keen golfing-eye saw the possibilities of Deerpark, owned by Mr. Henry Bruen of Oak Park. Bruen liked the idea and in 1922 Carlow became tenants of Deerpark on very generous terms.

Mr. Barcroft laid out the eighteen-hole course and did a remarkably good job on a very low budget. In 1937 the club retained the services of Tom Simpson, a golf architect of international fame. He redesigned ten greens and this is the basis of this fine golf course.

Members Achievements

The Ladies of Carlow Golf Club won their Regional Final in the Suzuki Senior Cup and participated in the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals at Milltown Golf Club on Friday 31st August 2007; where they were drawn against Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club.

First on the tee was Aedin Murphy who lost to Alyson Taylor by 2-holes, she was followed by Madeline Brennan who halved her match with Carol Wickham. Next up was Catherine Delaney who lost out to Tracy Eakin by 4 and 3. The penultimate match of Susan Redmond against Phil O'Gorman went against the Carlow lady by 4 and 2. The bottom match of Carmel Roche against Noeline Quirke was halved, so Laytown & Bettystown progressed to the All-Ireland Semi-Final against Royal Portrush on a 4 matches to 1 match score line.

Carlow Golf Club won the All-Ireland Ladies Senior Foursomes at Headfort Golf Club in October 2006. when they beat Limerick by 2 matches to 1 match. First on the tee were Aideen Murphy with Margaret McHugh who beat Mary Conlon with Trude Murphy by 2-holes. They were followed by Madeline Brennan with Carmel Roche who lost to Vivienne Gabbett by 2 and 1. The final match say Bernie Cox with Maggie Ruth beat Ann O’Mahony with Siobhan Conway by 3 and 2.

Juvenile golfers are continually encouraged at Carlow Golf Club and are beginning to prove my belief that the Juveniles are the back-boan of every club.

Carloe Golf Club won the All-Ireland Smurfit Boys' team event in 2001, when the team was, Daniel O'Boyle, John Greene, Paul Kirwan, Joe Coakley and Eoghan Carbery, they were managed by Michael Kirwan.

They won the Leinster Final of the Leinster Club Youths' at Kilkenny Golf Club 1999.

Karen and Tara Delaney were selected on the Leinster ILGU Team for the Interprovincial's. Played at Ballybunion Golf Club from 18th to 20th August 2004.

Carlow Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Smurfit Boys' Junior Foursomes in 2003, when the team was, Daniel O'Boyle, John Greene, Paul Broderick, Christopher Bolger and Mark Hughes. Their Jimmy Hackett team won the event at Newlands Golf Club on Easter Friday 2004.

The Ladies of Carlow Golf Club won the ILGU Midland District Senior Cup in 2003, when the team was, Catherine Delaney, Carmel Roche, Tara Delaney, Madeline Brennan, Margaret McHugh, Karen Delaney and Angela O'Shea. The Ladies of Carlow Golf Club had a wonderful year in the National Championships in 2002.

Karen Delaney won the Lancôme Irish Girls Close, Madeleine Brennan won the Lancôme Ladies Scotch Foursomes and Rebecca Coakley won the Irish Ladies Close Final and the Waterford Crystal Irish Ladies Open Strokeplay Championship at Dundalk Golf Club on July 28th 2002.

Aedinn Murphy won the Midland Junior Ladies in 2005 and Karen Delaney won the Midland Senior Ladies the same day.

Tara Delaney was selected on the Irish team for the European Young Masters in Augsburg, Germany in July 2002. They finished fourth behind Spain, France and England. Karen and Tara Delaney were selected on the Irish Girls team for the Home Internationals at The Hermitage Golf Club from August 13th-15th 2002.

Karen and Tara Delaney were selected for the Leinster Girls' in the Smurfit Interprovincial Championship at Enniscrone from the 18th to the 20th of April 2001. U. Prendergast qualified for the National Finals of the Irish Times-Mitsubishi Motors Women's Masters. She returned 31 points in the semi-final at Glasson Golf Hotel & Country Club on the 23rd of August 2001. Then it was on to Galway Bay Golf & Country Club for the Final on 13th September.

Carlow Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Irish Senior Cup in 1994, when the team was, Jason Farrell, John McHugh, Peter Murphy, Des Coakley, Tommy Lennon, Jim McVeigh and Danny Hutton, they were managed by Tony Shannon.

They won the Leinster Final of the Irish Senior Cup in 1984, when the team was, P. Murphy, S. Swan, J. Farrell, T. Lennon, P. McDonald and J. McVeigh, they were managed and captained by D. Doyle.

They were Finalists in the Barton Shield in 1997, when the team was, Danny Hutton, John McHugh, Tommy Lennon, Jason Farrell, Peter Murphy and Des Coakley, they were managed by Dick Gillman. They won the Central Towns Trophy in 1977, when the team was, A. O'Connell, B. McCormack, G. O'Brien, N. J. Whelan, M. Kilbride, T. Brophy, P. C. Cunningham, T. F. Leonard, B. Cunney, E. Carpenter and S. Jones, they captained by D. F. Connolly and selected by R. Atkinson and B. T. Doyle.

They won the FBD Barton Cup in 1978, when the team was, P. Dowling, R. Carroll, R. Shannon, J. McVeigh, D. F. Connolly, M. Kilbride, B. McCormack, L. Brennan, H. V. Dunne, P. Callery, P. J. O'Boyle, D. O'Boyle, P. Hyland, D. O'Reilly, B. Cunney and S. Kane, they were captained by Fr. J. McDonald.

The Boys' of Carlow Golf Club won won the All-Ireland Irish Schools Championship in 1981, when playing for Carlow C.B.S. when the team was Peter McDonald, Jason Farrell, John Swan, Rory McCormack and Colin Brophy. B. Doyle was elected Honorary Secretary of the Leinster Branch of the GUI for 2001.

Rebecca Coakley, the nineteen-year-old, is Ireland's golf sensation. She first hit the headlines, when she shot what has to be the best two rounds of golf ever shot by an Irish Girl (Lady or Gentleman?), when she returned 128 in the Ladies Scratch Cup at the Curragh G. C. In the morning round, she broke Lillian Behan's, long-standing course record by two shots. In the afternoon, she equalled what was the course record. Her two rounds were an incredible 16 under par. Rebecca has now joined the professional ranks and we wish her the very best. K. Delaney and T. Delaney were selected on the ILGU Junior squad in November 2000.

Carlow won the J. B. Carr Diamond Trophy (Leinster Section), and were finalists in the Barton Cup (Leinster Section), in their Centenary, Year 1999. Jason Farrell participated in the Boys Home International matches in 1985, and represented Leinster in 1994. He played Leinster Youths from 1983 to 1986, playing 14 matches.

Willie Jones played Leinster Youths in 1992. Tommy Lennon played Leinster Youths in 1983.

Peter McDonald played Leinster Youths in 1984, and is now with the USPGA.

Mary Governey played for the Irish Girls in 1972 and 1973, and won the Irish Girls Close Championship in 1973.

Catherine Bird played for the Irish Girls in 1973. Colette Langan played for the Irish Girls in 1979.

Derval Langan played for the Irish Girls in 1982, and won the Irish Girls Close Championship the same year.

Holes-in-One
Person Date Hole No. Club Used Distance
Alan Heary 1 June 2000 3rd   131 m
Peter Robinson 24 June 2000 13th 7 Iron 152 m
B. Kirwin 1 August 2000 13th   147 m
T. Quinn 10 June 2001 3rd   131 m
T. Quinn 10 June 2001 3rd   131 m
T. Brennan 23 June 2002      
Richard J. Smyth 28 April 2002 3rd   131 m
Tara Delaney 1 June 2002 3rd   107 m
Jeannette Fitzgerald 10 July 2002 12th   104 m
Michael O'Connor 24 April 2003 17th   152 m
Patsy Duggan 16 May 2003 3rd   107 m
John Hegarty 10 April 2005 3rd   131 m
Michael Morrissey 16 October 2005 17th   139 m

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Card of the Course
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Hole No Blue White Par Index Red Par Index
1 401 393 4 4 388 5 14
2 292 269 4 14 240 4 12
3 131 122 3 17 107 3 16
4 368 351 4 9 320 4 2
5 503 460 5 15 410 5 10
6 165 162 3 12 158 3 8
7 416 396 4 1 381 5 4
8 397 390 4 6 367 5 18
9 373 334 4 8 286 4 6
Out 3,046 2,877 35   2,657 38  
10 279 276 4 11 271 4 13
11 393 376 4 3 298 4 3
12 344 335 4 7 310 4 1
13 152 147 3 16 141 3 11
14 435 411 4 5 402 5 5
15 354 340 4 10 278 4 15
16 401 377 4 2 388 5 9
17 139 132 3 18 123 3 17
18 482 467 5 13 449 5 7
In 2,979 2,861 35   2,660 37  
Total 6,025 5,738 70   5,317 75  
SSS 71 70     73    
Card of the Oakpark Course (yards)
 
Hole No Blue Par Index Red Par Index
1 458 5 17 408 5 7
2 365 4 4 308 4 1
3 164 3 15 128 3 17
4 369 4 8 339 4 5
5 307 4 13 284 4 9
6 344 4 11 307 4 3
7 389 4 1 373 5 15
8 162 3 10 158 3 11
9 382 4 5 372 5 13
Out 2,941 35   2,480 37  
10 435 5 18 408 5 8
11 387 4 3 308 4 2
12 146 3 16 128 3 18
13 383 4 7 339 4 6
14 319 4 14 284 4 10
15 331 4 12 307 4 4
16 375 4 2 373 5 16
17 178 3 9 158 3 12
18 369 4 6 372 5 14
In 2,923 35   2,480 37  
Total 5,864 70   4,960 74  
SSS 69     73    

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Roll of Honour
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A. Flynn 1989 Ladies Captain
J. Hyland 1990 Ladies Captain
N. Collins 1991 Ladies Captain
Margaret Baragry 1992 Ladies Captain
Evelyn Sinnott 1993 Ladies Captain
Helen Fitzharris 1994 Ladies Captain
Kay McEnery 1995 Ladies Captain
Nancy Redmond 1996 Ladies Captain
Mary O'Brien 1997 Ladies Captain
Teresa Keenan 1998 Ladies Captain
Pat O'Driscoll 1999 Ladies Captain
Mary Dillon 2000 Ladies Captain
Carmel Roche 2001 Ladies Captain
Rose Tully 2002 Ladies Captain
Rose McEvoy 2002 Ladies Captain
Rose McEvoy 2003 Ladies Captain
Mary Hughes 2004 Ladies Captain
Margaret McHugh 2005 Ladies Captain
Eileen Brennan 2006 Ladies Captain
Bridie Slater 2007 Ladies Captain
J. T. Kelly 1989 Ladies President
S. O'Callaghan 1990 Ladies President
S. O'Callaghan 1991 Ladies President
M. Crotty 1992 Ladies President
M. Crotty 1993 Ladies President
U. Markey 1994 Ladies President
U. Markey 1995 Ladies President
Nan Collins 1996 Ladies President
Nan Collins 1997 Ladies President
Olive Langan 1998 Ladies President
Olive Langan 1999 Ladies President
Bernie McDonald 2000 Ladies President
Bernie McDonald 2001 Ladies President
Carmel Kennedy 2002 Ladies President
Carmel Kennedy 2002 Ladies President
Helen Fitzharris 2004 Ladies President
Helen Fitzharris 2005 Ladies President
Anne Flynn 2006 Ladies President
Anne Flynn 2007 Ladies President
T. J. Flynn 1989 Men's Captain
P. Mullarkey 1990 Men's Captain
A. McCarron 1991 Men's Captain
E. Delaney 1992 Men's Captain
E. Collins 1993 Men's Captain
M. J. Ryan 1994 Men's Captain
D. Carbery 1995 Men's Captain
M. Lawlor 1996 Men's Captain
A. Dawson 1997 Men's Captain
S. Hegarty 1998 Men's Captain
P. Bramley 1999 Men's Captain
Con O'Neill 2000 Men's Captain
Frank Nolan 2001 Men's Captain
Paddy Brennan 2002 Men's Captain
Tom McDonald 2003 Men's Captain
Jim Fitzharris 2004 Men's Captain
Ber Shelly 2005 Men's Captain
Bernard Geraghty 2006 Men's Captain
Brendan Laffan  2007 Men's Captain
P. Fletcher 1989 President
T. Langan 1990 President
T. Langan 1991 President
J. Markey 1992 President
J. Markey 1993 President
C. Cunningham 1994 President
C. Cunningham 1995 President
D. O'Driscoll 1996 President
D. O'Driscoll 1997 President
Barry T. Doyle 1998 President
Barry T. Doyle 1999 President
Leonard Hanley 2000 President
Leonard Hanley 2001 President
Ted Brophy 2002 President
Teddy Brophy 2003 President
Tony Geoghegan 2004 President
Tony Geoghegan 2005 President
Eamonn Delaney 2006 President
Eamonn Delaney 2007 President

   
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