Waterford golf club Waterford

Members Achievements

Waterford Golf Club were Runners-Up in the Regional Final of the Leinster Central Fred Perry Trophy on Sunday 13th August 2023 at Glasson Golf Club when they went down to Tulfarris Golf Club 4 ½-matches to ½-match.

Eanna Griffin was selected to represent Munster in the Men’s Interprovincial Matches at Shannon Golf Club from 25th to 27th August 2021, the others on the squad were Peter O'Keeffe (Douglas Golf Club), Paul Buckley (Cork Golf Club), Cathal Butler (Kinsale Golf Club), Darragh Flynn (Carton House Golf Club), Richard Knightly (The Royal Dublin Golf Club), Jack Egan (Muskerry Golf Club) and Darren O'Sullivan (Tralee Golf Club) they were managed by George Mellerick from Fota Island Golf Club and captained by Michael Coote from Tralee Golf Club.

Waterford Golf Club won the Belvedere Trophy in 2018 when the team was W. J. Mariga, Tony Hearne, Christy Sinnott, Tosh Walsh, Eamonn McKenna, Tony Gleeson, Robbie Kelly, Keith Kennedy, Morgan Pender, Gerry Goggin, John Sinnott,Paul Veale and Michael Howlett.
They were captained by John Finnegan and managed by Mossy Walker assisted byPat Raftis and Pat Breslin.

Waterford Golf Club won the Leinster Fourball Trophy in 2014 when the team was Jim O’Mahony, John Buggy, Ger Goggin, Tony Gleeson, Michael Corcoran, Pat Raftis, Michael Power, John Finnegan, Kevin Finnegan, Eamon McKenna, Tony O’Farrell, Michael Crossan ,John Barden, Eamon Cleary and Brendan Knok.
They were managed by Mossy Walker assisted by Pat Breslin.

Waterford Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Jimmy Bruen Shield at Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club on Saturday 2nd August 2014, when they beat Ardee Golf Club by 3 ½-matches to 1 ½-matches in the Semi-Final and Kileen Golf Club by 3-matches to 2-matches in the Final.
They made their way to Carton House to compete in the All-Ireland deciders on the O’Meara Course where they were drawn against Ulster Champions Strabane Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final.
They were out by Gary Dunphy with Pat Murphy who had a 1-hole win over Conor McCool with Liam Curry, next up was Paul Mackey with John Hale who beat Frankie Gallagher with Andrew Connolly by 2-holes, they were followed by John Phelan with Michael Wall who had a 3 and 1 win over Kevin Connolly with Declan Devine, in the penultimate match Barry Griffin with Chris Hoban lost by 3 and 2 against Damian McGranaghan with Shay Callaghan, in the bottom match Matt Holohan with Eamonn Rice lost out to Gary Duffy with Ciaran Duffy by 4 and 3.

They met Munster Champions Lisselan in the All-Ireland Final on Saturday 20th September, Lisselan had accounted for Connacht Champions Strandhill Golf Club in their Semi-Final by 3½-matches to 1½-matches.
They were led again by Gary Dunphy with Pat Murphy who beat Leo Hassett with Andrew Whelton by 2 and 1, they were followed by Paul Mackey with John Hale who halved their match against Paul Corcoran with Richard Fitton, next up were John Phelan with Michael Wall lwho went down by 5 and 3 to Eoin Ryan with Cathal Kirby, in the penultimate match Richard Gaule with Val Carey had a 2 and 1 win over Raymond Hayes with Paschal Hayes, in the bottom match Barry Griffin with Chris Hoban had a comfortable 4 and 2 win over Donnchadh Crowley with Richard Fleming and with it the All-Ireland title.

Waterford Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Jimmy Bruen Shield when they beat Knockanally Golf Club by 4½-matches to ½-match on Sunday 4th August 2012.
They made their way to Kinsale Golf Club to compete in the All-Ireland deciders on Friday 21st September when they were drawn against Connaught Champions Roscommon Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals.
They were led by Charlie Ahern with Garrett O’Mahony who lost out to David Hill with John Walker by 2 and 1, next up was Andy Ryan with Paul Murphy who beat Alan Craven with Shane McConn by 3 and 2, they were followed by Matt Holohan with Paul Dunne who won their match with the minimum 1-hole. against Liam Casey with Lorcan Dowd. In the penultimate match Warren Doyle with Barry Griffin lost by the minimum to Brian Daly with Peter Geraghty, in the bottom match Ger Buggy with Gary Dunphy lost their match to Paul Hoare with Francis Ferguson. The reserves were Michael Cooke, Francis Power, Chris Hoban and Gerry Fell, they were Captained by Martin O'Mahony.

Roscommon lost the All-Ireland Final the following day to Ulster Champions Killymoon by 3-matches to 2-matches.

Waterford Golf Club won the Leinster Final (yes Waterford play in Leinster!) of the Jimmy Bruen Shield in 2009 and were drawn against Connaught Champions Carrick-on-Shannon in the All-Ireland Semi-Final at Tullamore Golf Club.

First on the tee was Anthony Aherne with Colin Lynch who beat Albert Hogg with Jack Sharkey by 3 and 2. They were followed by Anthony Mulhall with John Power who beat Sean Bohan with Colm Loftus by 2-holes. Next on the tee was Mark Daly with Eanna Griffin who lost out to Noel Sharkey with Jason Loftus by 5 and 4. The penultimate match of Anthony Feicks & Francis Power against Des Beirne with Gordon Kavanagh secured the points to put Waterford into the decider with a 3 and 2 result. The bottom match of Andy Ryan with Martin Freeman was halved against Noel McDermott with Tommy Mulvey

They met Munster Champions Nenagh Golf Club in the All-Ireland Final to decide where the green-pennant would go.

They were led again by Anthony Aherne with Colin Lynch who had one-of-those-days when going down to Paul Moloney with Paddy Kennedy by 6 and 5. They were followed by Anthony Mulhall with John Power who halved their match with Cian Heffernan & Matthew O'Gara. Next up was Mark Daly with Eanna Griffin who lost out to Michael Tierney with Michael Fahey by 4 and 3. The penultimate match of Anthony Feicks with Francis Power resulted in a, halve against Dennis Corrigan with Liam O'Gara. The bottom match of Andy Ryan with Martin Freeman against Michael Corrigan with Jimmy Griffin also saw the match go to the Tipperary men by 6 and 4. So it was not to be and they must wait to try again to pick up another Cups & Shields green-pennant the last was won in 1990.

2005 Lady Captain Joan Lowe and her Captain’s Prize winner Sandra Barrett qualified in the Volkswagen/Irish Independent Lady Captain’s Classic in this scotch foursomes format. It was off to the National Finals at The Heritage Golf Club on Monday 3rd October where they were paired with the Curragh pair of Sinead Keane and Ann Griffin.

Gavin McNeill was one of four Irish golfers selected on the Walker Cup panel for 2003. Gavin was selected on the Irish squad for the Eisenhower Trophy in Kuala Lumpur from the 24th to the 27th October 2002.

Waterford duo Koragk Fuller (27) and Joe Fuller (18) qualified for the finals of the Spar-Irish Independent National Mixed Pairs Challenge at The Royal Dublin Golf Club, when they returned 58 points at Dungarvan Golf Club in July 2002.

Kevin Kinsella was selected on the Irish Team for the European Young Masters at Augsburg, Germany in July 2002. They finished fourth behind Spain, France and Germany. He also played for Leinster in the Interprovincial Championships at Headfort Golf Club from August 28-30 2002.

Waterford member Gavin McNeill won the Irish Close Championship at Co. Sligo Golf Club on the 20th of June 2001. Gavin beat fellow Irish International Stephen Browne of Hermitage in a trilling final that finished on the 20th. I asked Gavin that evening, what it felt like when he stood over a 30 foot downhill putt to keep the match alive? He replied "I knew I had only one chance and I gave it my all" The putt was going nowhere but in the hole. Gavin has represented Ireland in the Home Internationals and was selected on the Irish six man team for the European stroke-play championship in Denmark, from August 22nd to the 25th 2001. He joined key Walker Cup winner Graeme McDowell on the Simon Bolivar Cup team in Caracas, Venezuela, on November 7th-10th 2001.

E. Hearne Captained the Munster Ladies team for the AIB Interprovincial’s at the Island Golf Club on the 8th to the 10th August 2001.

Lady Captain Miriam Corcoran and her Captain's Prize-winner, Bread Corcoran (not related) were last to qualify in the last regional qualifiers of the Volkswagen-Irish Independent Lady Captains' Classic. However they went on to win the National Final at Druid's Glen on the 1st of October. Playing in gale force winds, described by Eamonn Darcy as "the worst I've experienced here" they won the National title by two shots with a score of 34.

Mary Costello 87-years young plays golf everyday and can still win off her handicap of 37. Mary won with an net 62 in September 2001.

Prior to 2001:

Waterford Golf Club won the All-Ireland Irish Junior Cup at Westport G. C. in 1990, when the team was C. Ryan, J. Fanning, T. Hanly, G. Carew, M. Power, J. O'Keeffe, G. Healy and M. Foley. They were managed by G. Walsh and coached by R. Dowling.

They won the All-Ireland Dunhill Mixed Foursomes at Galway in 1993, the team was Michael Boland, Josie McNamara, Teresa Ryan, Maureen Carroll, Nellie Dumphy, Carmel J. Walsh, Emily Troy, Evelyn O'Keeffe, Celia Hill, Michael Crowe, Gerry O'Keeffe, Tony Hanly, Greg Carew, Michael Foley and Seamus Bolger. They were captained by Martin Keane and selected by Eileen Fleming.

They won the Leinster Final and were All-Ireland Finalists in the Irish Junior Cup in 1991, when the team was, Michael Gaffney, Greg Crew, Gerry O'Keeffe, Joe O'Keeffe, Gerry O'Farrell, John Dowling, Garry Healy, Michael Foley and Tony Hanley, they were captained by Dick Dowling and Coached by Michael O'Sullivan.

They won the Leinster Final of the Jimmy Bruen Shield in 1989, when the team was, M. Foley, J. Fanning, M. Aherne, J. Fuller, A. Dalton, R. Dowling, L. Murphy, E. Kelly, J. Walsh, T. Hennessy and S. Bolger, they were managed by B. Collins.

They were Leinster Champions and All-Ireland Finalists in the Jimmy Bruen Shield in 1987, when the team was, G. Farrell, M. O'Sullivan, M. Whelan, A. Hanley, C. Cantwell, P. Freeman, R. Dowling, J. Walsh, B. Collins, J. Ryan, M. Aherne, C. Ryan, P. Wall, J. Dalton, R. Burke, S. Bolger, N. Kelly and they were managed by M. O'Mahoney.

They won the Brennan Cup in 1980, when the team was, T. O'Farrell, M. Foley, J. Walsh, N. Byrne, J. Power, C. Cantwell, N. Brennan, R. Burke, M. Brennan, N. Colfer, J. O'Riordan, J. Murphy and K. Walker.

They were South East Inter Club Champions in 1990, when the team was, M. Gaffney, M. Foley, M. O'Sullivan, N. Colfer, A. Dalton, G. Walsh, J. O'Keeffe, C. Ryan, G. O'Keeffe, D. Deasy, G. Carew, P. Carew, M. Holohan, C. Carew and T. Hanley.

They were Provincial Towns Cup winners in 1937, when the team was, R. Hearne, M. Brazil, Col. Heather, M. Fitzgerald, J. McDonald, D. Dwyer, P. Grogan, J. Hughes, G. Hayden, J. Phelan and D. Brown.

They won the Leinster Final of the Dunhill Mixed Foursomes at Co. Meath Golf Club in 1994, when the team was, Evelyn O'Keeffe, Carmel Walsh, Gerry O'Keeffe, Pat Carew, Teresa Ryan, Greg Carew, Emily Troy, Tony Hanly, Michael Carew, Mary O'Shea, Denis Deasy, Nellie Dunphy, they were managed by Martin Keane. 

They won the Seiko Mixed Foursomes in 1988, when the team was, Joe Fuller, Tommy Connolly, Geoff Walsh, Mary O'Shea, Betty Condon and Josie McNamara.

The Ladies of Waterford Golf Club won the ILGU Midland League in 1986, when the team was, M. Dunphy, E. Keane, J. McNamara, M. Hanley, T. Duffin and E. Hearn.

They won the ILGU Midland Trophy in 1983, when the team was, N. Dunphy, M. O'Carroll, E. Troy, E. Keane and M. Hardiman.M. Durand, M. Hutchenson, E. Keane, M. O'Sullivan and A. Jacob.

They won the ILGU Midland Trophy in 1975, when the team was,

Congratulations to Gavin McNeill on winning the Waterford Senior Scratch Cup on 25 June 2000 with a wonderful score of 277, seven under, on his home course. He left some notable golfers in his wake, with four shots to spare, over Gary Cullen, Hugh Hanley and Dan Sugrue.

Gavin McNeill and Lee Dalton played together on the Leinster Youths team that won the Interprovincial Championship at their home club in April 1999.

Sheelagh Farrell won the regional final of the Shell Ladies Golf Challenge at Thurles G. C. with a score of 38 pts.

Members who played representative golf for Country or Province;

C. Carew represented Ireland at international Youths level from 1980 to 1981 playing 4-matches, won 4-matches accumulating 8-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1980 to 1981 playing 7-times won 4-matches and lost 3-matches accumulating 8-points;

Adrian Dalton represented Ireland at international Youths level in 1993 playing 4-matches, won 2-matches halved one and lost 1-match accumulating 5-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1993 to 1996 playing 17-times won 10-matches halved two and lost 5-matches accumulating 22-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1991 to 1993 playing 13-times won 3-matches halved two and lost 8-matches accumulating 8-points;

Lee Dalton won the Irish Boys' Under 18, Under 17, and Under 16 at Mullingar in 1996. He represented Ireland at Irish Boys level from 1996 to 1997 playing 22-times won 8-matches halved three and lost 11-matches accumulating 19-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1997 to 1998 playing 10-times won 5-matches halved two and lost 3-matches accumulating 12-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1997 to 1999 playing 17-times won 11-matches and lost 6-matches accumulating 22-points. He represented Leinster at Boys  Interprovincial level from 1995 to 1996 playing 12-times won 5-matches halved two and lost 5-matches accumulating 12-points;

Gavin McNeill represented Ireland as a Senior International in2001 playing 6-times won 3-times and lost 3-matches accumulating 6-points. He represented Ireland at Irish Boys level from 1986 to 1998 playing 14-times won 4-matches halved two and lost 8-matches accumulating 10-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1999 to 2002 playing 21-times won 7-matches halved four and lost 10-matches accumulating 18-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1997 to 1999 playing 15-times won 8-matches halved two and lost 5-matches accumulating 18-points. He represented Leinster at Boys  Interprovincial level from 1994 to 1995 playing 10-times won 3-matches halved one and lost 6-matches accumulating 7-points;

G. O’Keeffe represented Ireland at Senior (55+) in 2002 playing 4-times won 2-matches and lost 2-matches accumulating 4-points;

D. Deasy represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1980 to 1981 playing 6-times won 2-matches halved one and lost 3-matches accumulating 5-points;

Kevin Kinsella represented Leinster at Boys'  Interprovincial level in 2002 playing 2-times won 1-match and lost 1-match accumulating 2-points;

J. C. Brown* represented Munster as a Senior Interprovincial in 1961 playing 4-times won 0-matches and lost 4-matches accumulating 0-points;

Michael Canty represented Munster in the Boys' Interprovincial Championships from 1998 to 1999 playing 12-times won 7-matches halved one and lost 4-matches accumulating 15-points;

History of Waterford

Instituted 1912 affiliated 1912

The history of Waterford Golf Club is well-documented in the clubs souvenir brochure for the 25th Anniversary of the Waterford Crystal Scratch Cup. When the first club was formed at Tramore in 1894 it was called the Waterford and Tramore Golf Club, which would indicate that there was a b element from the Tramore club involved in the origins of the club.

The first meeting to form the Waterford club was held on the 8th of March, 1912, in the Imperial Hotel. In the chair was Mr. H. J. Forde the man credited with starting the club. The meeting was told that land was available at Mount Misery on a lease of £35 a year. A further meeting was held on the 29th March and the provisional committee reported that 47 acres had been leased. The meeting elected the following officers: President, Mr. A. E. Graves, Captain, H. Tooms, and the Hon. Secretary was A. E. Walker.

Cecil Barcroft, Secretary of the Royal Dublin, was invited to design the course. However, before his plans could be put into place, the committee decided to commission Willie Park, the two-times winner of the British Open in 1887 and 1879 to redesign the course. His design was opened in July, 1913, stretching over 3,000 yards.

In 1935 the committee decided to extend to eighteen-holes and this time they decided to get the services of the best golf architect available in the shape of James Braid, who had won the British Open five times. Braid had already built a reputation as a course architect and the fine course we now find at Waterford is a credit to the foresight of the committees.