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Carrickfergus golf club Antrim

Carrickfergus golf course Antrim

Carrickfergus Golf Course

Carrickfergus Club Crest

Carrickfergus Golf Club has recently undergone an magnificent extension to its clubhouse, when the members decided to invest in excess of £1,000,000 on improving the facilities for visitors and members alike. This is in keeping with the trend that was very apparent while transecting the country research this publication, it would appear that almost every club in Ireland, no matter how humble are spending considerable sums of Pounds or Euros, upgrading their course and improving the facilities.

The first at Carrickfergus is a formidable opening hole, measuring 418 yards with an Index 8 to match is played over the infamous day, where ber words than Dam are often used with that tentative first drive of the day. The most daunting hole is undoubtedly the 426 yards 6th played as a dogleg left with the second shot to a hidden green protected by that dam again, "more b language".

As with the vast majority of golf clubs in Ireland the visitor is extended a very warm welcome and why not relax and enjoy a drink and savour the catering while playing the 19th in this famous golf club that has been in existence since 1926.

Green Fees Midweek: £25
Green Fees Weekends & B.H.: £30
Green Fees with a Member: €15/18
Green Fees for Opens: £10
Practice Area: Yes
Club Hire: No
Buggy Hire: Trolley
Soft Spikes: No
Membership Available: Yes
Full Membership Fee: £712
Full Senior 70+ Membership Fee: £412
Full Intermediate 26-29 Membership Fee: £542
Full Junior 18-20 Membership Fee: £270
Full 5-Day Membership Fee: £406
Full Juvenile Membership Fee: £115
Entrance Fee: None
Course Type Parkland
No Holes 18
Members 907
Designer David Magill
Founded 1926
Address

35 North Road,
Carrickfergus,
Co. Antrim
BT38 8LP

Telephone 028-93-363713
Email carrickfergusgc@btconnect.com
Website Carrickfergus golf club website
Secretary/Manager: Desmond Graham
Captain: David Haggan
Lady Captain: Marie Watt
President: Leslie Lyle
Junior Captain: James Arthur
Vice-Captains': M. Walker & J. Adair
Hon. Secretary: H. Wade & Helen Vizard
Club Pro: James Orchin 93-351803
Hon. Treasurer: M. Finlay & L Gibson
Comp. Secretary: Leslie Lyle & Joan Rea
Carrickfergus Golf Course Layout Course Layout

Location Map

GPS Coord*
Lat:54.725910
Long:-5.804472
*Please check information before travelling

General Facts & Information

Course opening hours: Daylight hours Clubhouse opening hours:10.30am to 11.00pm
Mobile phones: Not on course
Dress Code: Neat and casual, no denim
Catering: Full catering, facilities Days to Avoid: Tuesdays & Weekends
Green Fees and Societies Welcome: Other Days Pre-booking for open Tournaments:14 Days in advance

Carrickfergus Golf Club Fixtures 2024 provisional*

Open & Major Fixtures 2023 (Confirmed)        
Event Start Finish Type Duration
Captain's Prize Saturday 17 June   Closed
1
Lady Captain's Prize Saturday 24 June
  Closed 1
President's Prize Saturday 19 August   Closed 1
L. & G. Singles Stableford Wednesday 24 May   Open 1
Gordon Bennett Trophy Saturday 3 June   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 7 June   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 5 July   Open 1
Start of Open Week Saturday 22 July Saturday 29 July Open 7
Singles Stableford Saturday 22 July   Open 1
Mixed Greensomes Sunday 23 July   Open 1
Seniors Fourball Monday 24 July   Open 1
Ulster Women's 50+ Veterans Cup Tuesday 25 July   G.I.
1
Ladies Singles Stableford Tuesday 25 July   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 26 July   Open 1
Ladies 2-Ball Scramble Thursday 27 July
  Open 1
Fourball Betterball
Friday 28 July
  Open 1
Singles Strokes Saturday 29 July   Open 1
L. & G. Senior Singles Stableford Wednesday 9 August   Open 1
Senior Scratch Cup Saturday 12 August   Open 1
Junior Scratch Cup Saturday 12 August   Open 1
Inter. Scratch Cup Saturday 12 August   Open 1
 L. & G. Senior Singles Stableford Wednesday 16 August   Open 1
Ulster U-18 Girls' Foursomes Monday 21 August   G.I. 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 7 September   Open 1

*Please check information before travelling

Card of the Course

KeyData
White Par 68 SSS 68 5,657 yd's
Yellow Par 68 SSS 67 5,535 yd's
Red Par 70 SSS 71 5,214 yd's
Green Par68 SSS 66 5,214 yd's

Card

Hole Name Hole No. White Yellow Green Par Index Red Par Index
The Dam 1 415 402 343
4 8 343 4 6
Wee Dunt 2 105 101 105 3 14 105 3 16
Prince William Way 3 381 379 346 4 4 346 4 4
Bridewell 4 125 123 113 3 18 113 3 18
Fairy Thorn 5 315 305 283
4 10 283 4 10
The Quarry 6 415 413 412 4 2 412 5 8
Double Trouble 7 133 130 130 3 12 130 3 14
Hanna's 8 284 280 274 4 16 274 4 12
The Castle 9 435 391 390
4 6 390 4 2
  Out 2,598 2,524 2,296 33   2,396 34  
North Lodge 10 429 427 422 4 1 422 5 9
St Nicholas 11 390
380 396 4 5 369 4 1
Rowan Tree 12 167 157 148 3 15 148 3 15
Pinewood 13 433 429 346
4 3 348 4 7
Lover's Lane 14 193 183 136 3 11 136 3 17
Mill Race 15 350 347 348 4 9 348 4 3
The Mound 16 292 290 291 4 7 291 4 5
MacCandless 17 483 478 438 5 17 438 5 13
Knockagh 18 322 320 320 4 13 320 4 11
  In 3,059 3,011 2,818
35   2,818 36  
  Total 5,657 5,535 5,214 68   5,214 70  
  SSS 68 67 66     71    

Notable rounds

Men's Course Record: 64 Ross Oliver (2) 05/05/2007

Ladies Course Record:

Members Achievements

The Boys of Carrickfergus Golf Club qualified for the All-Ireland deciders of the Boys Foursomes at Ballina Golf Club on 23rd August 2022.
They met Tipperary Golf Club in the All-Ireland Quarter-Final and won their matches by 2-matches to nil.
They were led out by James Walsh with Trevor Morrison who had a comfortable 4 and 3 win over Niall O’Shea with Ronan O’Connor, next on the tee was Josh Millar with Oliver McNamara who won their match against Donnacha Cleary with Paddy Kennedy Jnr. Bu 1-hole.
They met Castlebar Golf Club the following day in the All-Ireland Semi-Final and lost out by 2-holes
They were led out again by James Walsh with Trevor Morrison who had a 1-hole win against Owen Kelly with Tommy M. Heneghan, the bottom match of Josh Millar with Oliver McNamara lost out by 3-holes to Aaron Quigley with Ben Doherty.

Carrickfergus Golf Club qualified for the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals of the Irish Junior Cup at Knightsbrook Golf Club on Saturday 17th September 2022 when they were drawn against Cork Golf Club but lost their match by 3½-matches to 1½-matches.
Josh Miller led them out and won his match against Leon Foley by 2 and 1, he was followed by Adam McAteer who lost his match by the minimum against Frankie Walsh, next on the tee was Hugh McClinton who lost his match by 2 and 1 against Jack O’Flynn, the penultimate match of Stephen Rea was halved against David Hickey and in the bottom match Bill McAtaminey lost his match by 6 and 5 against Thomas Healy.

After 39 years Carrickfergus Golf Club won the Holt Shield in 2013.
The team was L. Lyle, D. Macleod, K. Willis, M. Addley, C. Macrea, R. Barbour and D. Meek, they were captained by Des Nelson.

The Ladies won the EAL won after 32 years, when the team Captain was Mrs. L. Robinson and Lady Captain Mrs. A. Baker.

The Ladies of Carrickfergus Golf Club were Ulster Champions in the Ulster Bank Ladies Fourball in 2003, when the team was, Julia Wright, Liz Finley, Linda Armstrong, Carol McQuillan, Adrienne Williams, Rosie Lamont, Ruth Mawhinney and Ursula Lindsay, they were captained by Bernie Tolan.

Prior to 2001

Carrickfergus Golf Club won the All-Ireland Irish Junior Cup at Woodbrook in 1989, when the team was, Frank Hamill, Tom Mulholland, Stephen McLaughlin, Denis Stronge and Bill McAtamney Jnr., they were captained by Brian McGahan.

 Carrickfergus Golf Club won the All-Ireland, Irish Mixed Foursomes at Royal Tara in 1980, when the team was, K. Hamilton, D. Stronge, W. J. Wallace, J. McIlwaine, S. A. McNally, S. R. Wallace, E. Hunter, M. M. Boyle, S. E. Cobby, D. A. Ervine and S. Lynn, they were captained by B. McGahan.

Carrickfergus Golf Club won the East Antrim Team Scratch Championship in 1992 and 1993, when the team was, Stephen McLaughlin, Campbell Foster, Stephen Rea, Jeff Law and Michael Keys, they were captained by Brian McGahan.

Carrickfergus Golf Club won the the Ulster Final of the Irish Junior Cup in 1993, when the team was, Geoff Law, Campbell Foster, Gavin Baker, Brian Forsyth and David Winning, they were captained by Frank Hamill.

Carrickfergus Golf Club won the Belfast and District Cup in 1984, when the team was, Denis Stronge, Sam Woodside, Kenny Hamilton, David Armstrong, Owen O'Toole, Paul Vizard, Brian McGahan, Stephen McNally, Mark Montgomery, Jim McIlwaine and Des Ballentine.

Carrickfergus Golf Club won the Christie Flag in 1978, with Ray Stevenson, Brian McGahan and Ronnie Kelly.

Carrickfergus Golf Club won the County Final of the J. B. Carr Diamond Trophy in 2000.

The Boys' of Carrickfergus Golf Club won the Holt Shield in 1974, when the team was, G. Bennett, Joe McNally, Drew Ewing, George Hamill and they were captained by Stan Hutchinson.

 

Members who played representative golf for Country or Province;

Des Ballentine represented Ulster in the Senior Interprovincial’s from 1985 to 1988 playing 34-times won 18-matches halved one and lost 15-matches accumulating 37-points he played Ulster Youths' in 1981;

Denise Browne played for the Irish Girls' in 1969;

Deane Musgrave played for the Irish Girls' in 1979 and 1980;

Elizabeth Lynn played for the Irish Girls' in 1980 and 1981;

Sandra Lynn played for the Irish Girls' in 1982 and 1983;

History of Carrickfergus

 It would appear golf has been played at as early as 1892. The Belfast Newsletter on 5th January 1892, reports on train fares for golfers. The writer states "now that links have been opened at Carrickfergus" The present club was founded in 1926.

What the Club tells us:

club history, formed 1926

On the instigation of the Town Clerk, Mr D Law and Mr James McCartney, a local businessman, a special meeting was held in the Town Hall on the 22nd of October 1925 to discuss the possibility of the formation of a Golf Club. Mr Charles Legg J.P. who was also Chairman of the Carrickfergus Urban District Council, in proposing that further enquiries be made into the formation of a Golf Club, received unanimous approval and this resulted in a further meeting being held on 12th February 1926, when it was unanimously agreed that a Golf Club be formed to be known as “The Carrickfergus Golf Club”, with Mr Charles Legg J.P. as President and Mr D Law (Town Clerk) as Hon. Secretary.

By this time, 74 gentlemen, 74 ladies and 10 associates had taken membership and the Annual Subscription was fixed at 2 guineas for men, one guinea for ladies and a half guinea for junior associates. A feature of this meeting was reported in the local newspaper as follows:- “Mr Francis Atkinson, renowned for his giant drives, swore fervently and emphatically to support the new club physically, financially and mentally – he would take a bill hook or spade and work for the club if it came to the bit and he would back it for all he was worth even if he should die in the Workhouse.” (Loud Applause).

The first council worked diligently and successfully negotiated a five year lease at £150 per annum with James Taylor & Sons of Barn Mills, for four fields of 35 acres for the course and ½ an acre of what was known as the Quarry Field for the clubhouse. Mr G H Clarkson was engaged as Professional/Greenkeeper at a wage of 45/-d per week plus 5/-d travelling expenses and he was also allowed to charge tuition fees of 1/-d per half hour. An interesting minute reveals that a certain gentleman, who carried clubs for hire or reward, applied for membership but was considered ineligible on a ruling given by the Golf Union of Ireland. Caddy fees at that time were 5d for 9 holes or 9d for 18 holes. Work on the course progressed satisfactorily and at the first Annual General Meeting held on the 14th May 1926 the membership was stated as being 125 gentlemen, 140 ladies and 50 associates and juveniles. Mr A Miscampbell, a local prominent businessman, was elected the first Captain and Mr C Binnie, Headmaster of the Carrickfergus Technical College, the Hon. Treasurer. Naturally, the main focus was on the financing and building of a clubhouse and in this connection it was agreed to offer the membership Debenture Stock at £5 each, redeemable at £5.10.0 as and when club finances permitted – within a year £980 had been subscribed.

The ladies branch was also active and held their first General Meeting on the 22nd of June 1926, when Mrs E M Gransden was elected Lady Captain and Miss M Carrey Hon. Secretary.

The building of a combined clubhouse and Greenkeeper residence was completed by March 1927 at a net cost of £1050 - £105 having been recovered as a subsidy from the government. The contractor was John Laverty of Whitehead who presented the club with its first trophy – The Laverty Cup. During the course of the year, the club became affiliated to the G.U.I.
By May 1927 the course was completed and comprised 2 par 3 holes and 7 par 4 holes, totalling 2,420 yards and the G.U.I. allocated a standard scratch of 67. The official opening was held on Saturday 28th May 1927 when, in glorious sunshine and before a large gathering – which included Mr Hugh Kelly, President of the G.U.I., who in his speech made reference to the very difficult quarry hole. Mr C Legg, using a new driver presented to him by the Lady Captain, Mrs Gransden, executed a very fine drive amidst the applause of the spectators. The young boy, Bobby McCullough, who retrieved the ball was given a half guinea by Mr Legg.

This was followed by an exhibition 4-ball match between Major Thompson (Larne), Messrs. Graham and Madden (Knock) and W B Jamison (Portadown). Later, a mixed foursomes competition was held for members, after which the Captain and his wife entertained the members to tea. To mark the occasion Mrs Gransden presented the ladies section with the Gransden Cup.

Roll of Honour

Member Year Hon. Position
Mrs. E. K. Campbell 1989 Ladies Captain
E. K. Campbell 1989 Men's Captain
S. T. McCollum 1989 President
Myrtle Kelly 1990 Ladies Captain
L. G. Glasgow 1990 Men's Captain
I. G. Vaughan 1990 President
Evelyn Dale 1991 Ladies Captain
John McQuillan 1991 Men's Captain
I. G. Vaughan 1991 President
T. W. Anderson 1992 Ladies Captain
Wallace Drummond 1992 Men's Captain
I. G. Vaughan 1992 President
Cecilia Cash 1993 Ladies Captain
Brian McGahan 1993 Men's Captain
W. H. Thompson 1993 President
Florence Newburn 1994 Ladies Captain
J. Purdy 1994 Men's Captain
W. H. Thompson 1994 President
J. N. Lindsay 1995 Ladies Captain
George Evens 1995 Men's Captain
W .H. Thompson 1995 President
B. Currie 1996 Ladies Captain
D. J. Livingston 1996 Men's Captain
G. Buttanshaw 1996 President
R. A. E. Sinclair 1997 Ladies Captain
W. H. Hunter 1997 Men's Captain
G. Buttanshaw 1997 President
Ruth Mawhinney 1998 Ladies Captain
G. Duff 1998 Men's Captain
G. T. Ryan 1998 President
Bernie Tolan 1999 Ladies Captain
R. Rodgers 1999 Men's Captain
Des Bingham 1999 President
Mrs. L. Loughridge 2000 Ladies Captain
Mr. W. S. Robinson 2000 Men's Captain
Des Bingham 2000 President
D. Wilkinson 2001 Ladies Captain
Tom Woods 2001 Men's Captain
Ian McLean 2001 President
Rhoda Evens 2002 Ladies Captain
David Watt 2002 Men's Captain
Ian McLean 2002 President
C. R. McMurray 2003 Ladies Captain
Stephen Ashe 2003 Men's Captain
E. K. Campbell 2003 President
Helen Vizard 2004 Ladies Captain
Robert Wilkinson 2004 Men's Captain
W. J. C. Wallace 2004 President
Ann Forsythe 2005 Ladies Captain
Kenneth Hamilton 2005 Men's Captain
W. J. C. Wallace 2005 President
Deane Musgrave 2006 Ladies Captain
Rob Moore 2006 Men's Captain
George Glasgow 2006 President
Judith DeFleury 2007 Ladies Captain
Dessie Graham 2007 Men's Captain
Isaac Jardine 2007 President
Martha Cromie 2008 Ladies Captain
Dessie Graham 2008 Men's Captain
Wallace Drummond 2008 President
Elizabeth Hunter 2009 Ladies Captain
Bryan Martin 2009 Men's Captain
Wallace Drummond 2009 President
Lorraine Gibson 2010 Ladies Captain
Leslie Lyle 2010 Men's Captain
Brian McGahan 2010 President
Rosemary Lamont 2011 Ladies Captain
Roy Jamison 2011 Men's Captain
Brian McGahan 2011 President
Helen Pedlow 2012 Ladies Captain
Ken Knocker 2012 Men's Captain
Jack Purdy 2012 President
A. Baker 2013 Ladies Captain
Alan Chestnutt 2013 Men's Captain
Jack Purdy
2013 President
Elizabeth Robinson 2014 Ladies Captain
Duncan MacLeod 2014 Men's Captain
Henry Hunter 2014 President
D. Jamison 2015 Ladies Captain
Des Nelson 2015 Men's Captain
Henry Hunter 2015 President
D. Skilling 2016 Ladies Captain
S. Wady 2016 Men's Captain
W. Robinson
2016 President
A. Russell 2017 Ladies Captain
H. Wade 2017 Men's Captain
G. Duff 2017 President
A. McWilliams 2018 Ladies Captain
W. Gibson 2018 Men's Captain
D. Watt  2018 President
J. Davoll 2019 Ladies Captain
G. Addley 2019 Men's Captain
T. Woods 2019 President
M. Hunter 2019 Junior Captain
A. McWilliams 2020 Ladies Captain
Geoff Wallace 2020 Men's Captain
S Ashe 2020 President
Ryan McNally 2020 Junior Captain
A Williams 2021 Ladies Captain
J Beck 2021 Men's Captain
D Graham BEM 2021 President
Ryan McNally 2021 Junior Captain
Pat Gault  2022 Ladies Captain
Michael McGivern 2022 Men's Captain
Stephen Ashe 2022 President
Taylor Morrison 2022 Junior Captain
 Marie Watt 2023 Ladies Captain
David Haggan 2023 Men's Captain
Leslie Lyle
2023 President
James Arthur 2023 Junior Captain
S. McAllister
2023 Lowest Ladies Handicap
Andrew Dillon (0.8)
2023 Lowest Men's Handicap
Graeme Arthur (0.8)
2023 Lowest Men's Handicap
Darren Lowens (3) 2023 Lowest Men's Handicap
Adam McAteer (3.9)
2023 Lowest Men's Handicap

Holes in One at Carrickfergus

Member Date Hole No. Club Used Distance
Joan Rea 16 August 2011
4th 7-iron
118 yd's
Angeline McWilliams 1 March 2022