There are lots of Irish golf clubs
celebrating anniversaries this year… six are seeing in their 125th… but the age
matters little to the clubs who have cause to celebrate. Ten years, 20, 25, 50…
these are all opportunities to revel in a little bit of history.
This was on full display at Powerscourt a
couple of weeks ago when the club launched a very impressive hardback book
celebrating 20 years. The book is not
inconsequential in size, stretching to 248 pages, with hundreds of photos and contributions
from many involved in the club’s evolution. It is a comprehensive piece of
work. The launch, hosted by new member Craig Doyle, took place in the clubhouse
with dozens present, including the Slazenger family. Indeed, the book is
dedicated to Dr Michael Slazenger, the man who started the club on the grounds
of the Powerscourt Estate. As speeches were made the sun lit up the two courses
outside the windows, showing off the autumn colours and where the trees felled
by Ophelia had long since been cleared away. This is a strong club with both
courses embraced by ancient trees. Ophelia managed to snatch just five and will
merit only a mere mention in a future chapter as the club looks forward to its
next 20 years.
This is a major piece of work involving
dozens of people and contributions from every sector, every age, every aspect
of both the golf club and the estate itself. One of the members, Colman
O’Neill, a stalwart from the earliest days, has amassed some 3,000 images of
the club and roughly 70% of the images in the book are his.
Other clubs celebrating 20 years in 2017 include
Esker Hills, Galgorm Castle, Newbridge, East Clare, and – hard to believe – Old
Head. Clubs which have reached the quarter of a century milestone are Roe Park,
St. Margaret’s, Waterford Castle, Charlesland, Castle Barna and Slieve Russell.
Charlesland celebrated their anniversary with a series of golf events… but,
more telling, the year also saw the completion of a €1 million investment in
the course which saw a short game academy introduced and two new holes.
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| Views up the Powerscourt East 10th from the clubhouse |
No clubs are celebrating a centenary in
2017, while the 9-hole Dunmore, in Clonakilty, is the lone club with 50 years
to its name.
Congratulations to all at Powerscourt Golf Club and on the publication of 'Celebrating 20 Years'.
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