History

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On the club’s formation date, the March 13th, 1907 edition of the Cork Examiner, and the Cork Constitution newspaper of a few days later, carried the following report under the headline: 'Muskerry Golf Club'.

At an influential meeting held on Monday (March 11th) at the offices of Messrs Atkins & Chirnside, 39 South Mall, Cork and presided over by Sir George Colthurst, Bart, the initial steps were taken for the formation of the above new golf club.

A provisional committee was elected of which Sir George Colthurst is President and Dr Anislee Hudson, St Ann's Hydro, Blarney, Hon Secretary. The services of John McNamara, the well-known golf professional, who laid out such an excellent course at Tramore, has been secured and immediate steps are being taken to get the course in order for play. Intending members would do well to join as soon as possible, the news item concluded.

The land for the course at Coolflugh, near Cloghroe Church, was made available through the good offices of local farmer Jerome Dorgan who was interested in golf anyway as he played the game at the nearby St Ann’s Hill Hydro - a complex that included, not just a health centre, but also a hotel and a large farm. The Muskerry name, perhaps, was derived from the adjoining Cork and Muskerry Light Railway Line (or the Muskerry Tram as it was popularly known) but the club’s roots in the Barony of Muskerry may also have been a consideration.

The development certainly caught the imagination and The World of Golf magazine (Irish Section) of April 25, 1907 had this to say: A single golf course for a sporting town like Cork was not keeping up with the times and, we are not surprised that a friendly rival to the Little Island course has arisen. The new course has been laid out under the direction of Dr Anislee Hudson of St Ann’s Hill and the club, of which the Doctor is Honorary Secretary, is called the Muskerry Golf Club.

‘The course is easily reached from Cork by the Light Railway that runs out to Blarney - a journey which is delightful at any time, but now with the addition of a game of golf at the end, will be doubly so. The course is over 5,000 yards (nine holes played twice) and every one of the holes has some characteristic about it in the way of hazards. These hazards consist of lanes, banks, trees, a gravel pit, the railway and a small river (the Sheep) and to escape such a choice selection of difficulties will require pawky play'.

The World of Golf magazine said the formal opening would take place on May 4, 1907 and ‘we anticipate a successful career for the new Southern club’. The Cork Examiner of April 30th 1907, in a reference to the opening, said the greens were in tip top order, considering the short time expended on their preparation, no time or labour having been spared, and they are really better than many golf clubs can ever attain to, the nature of the ground lending itself to the quick production of really good putting turf. The new clubhouse (to be erected) will in itself be a feature of the new links and will be so situated that the train can be seen coming from either direction in sufficient time to enable members to catch it with ease, the railway station being only 100 yards away.

On May 6th, 1907, the Cork Examiner reported on the opening ceremony in great detail. It stated that Muskerry Golf Club's Honorary Secretary Dr Anislie Hudson addressed a large assembly, saying he was the club's founder and that the committee had been inaugurated some six weeks earlier. He also outlined the aims and objectives of the club. An exhibition match was played by the McNamara brothers from Lahinch, one of whom, John, was the club’s first professional and a marquee was used at the opening ceremony as a clubhouse had not yet been erected. Five years old Marjorie Hudson performed the christening ceremony by breaking a bottle of champagne and stating: "Ladies and Gentlemen, You have heard what my daddy has said. It only remains for me to formally declare the Muskerry Golf Club open and to wish it long life and prosperity." A vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr John Day, was passed to the Honorary Secretary for his services in connection with the formation of the club.

The Cork Constitution newspaper also reported on the Muskerry Club opening and said that the Union Jack flew there on the day and that the club's colours were red and white. A strong wind prevailed for the exhibition match and Willie McNamara from Lahinch beat his brother John by a one up margin. In strokeplay, however, John scored 75 gross as against Willie's 78. Most of the attendance made the trip to Muskerry by rail - on the Cork and Muskerry Light Railway. The railway terminus was at the site of Jurys Hotel and the train proceeded along the Western Road to Leemount and Coachford Junction, near Muskerry's 18th green. One line went to Coachford and the other passed beside the clubhouse and continued along the present 16th fairway and under the bridge near the 17th tee and on to St Ann’s, Donoughmore and Blarney. The clubhouse site was considered ideal in view of the train service.

After the auspicious opening, it was progress all the way with the Cork Constitution newspaper of May 7, 1907 stating that the committee of the newly formed Muskerry Club was determined to leave no stone unturned in its efforts to attract golfers to the conveniently situated links. An open competition was advertised for Whit Monday. On September 17th, 1907, the Cork Examiner has this to say: Though the club has only been a short time in existence, it has rapidly become very popular. Each week the membership increases and there is every indication that the club will shortly occupy a very prominent position amongst southern golfing clubs.

It is right to mention, the newspaper added, that the links, though laid out only five or six months, has already reached a very mature stage and that is principally due to the energy, carefulness and attention of the Professional, Mr McNamara. A neat pavilion is nearing completion and when finished the Muskerry Golf Club ought to look forward to a future in which it will be recognised amongst the leading Irish clubs. Arrangements were underway in December 1907, according to club minutes, regarding land leasing arrangements with the Dorgan and O'Keeffe families. The nine holes course embraced the area of the present first five holes and the O’Keeffe land across the Sheep River to the right of the 5th hole.

On March 20th, 1908, the Cork Examiner reported that Mr W Dorgan, solicitor, had applied for a certificate of registration for Muskerry Golf Club at a sitting of Blarney Petty Sessions. He stated that he applied under the section of the 1884 act. The club was conducted in a proper manner, he said, and was intended for the purpose of promoting the game of golf. The club had a membership of close on 300 and gave a good deal of employment in the district. Sergeant Kingston said there was no objection whatever on the part of the Constabulary and the application was unanimously granted.

Sir George St. John Colthurst, a well known Cork Baronet and owner of Blarney Castle Estate, was President of Muskerry Golf Club from 1907 to 1914. Son of Sir George Conway Colthurst, M.P. for Kinsale, and Louise Jane Jeffreys, Colthurst was the sixth holder of the title created in 1744. Born in 1850, he was educated at Harrow and, on his father’s death in 1878, he succeeded to the title.

He married Edith, daughter of Captain J Morris, Dunkettle, Cork in 1881 and they had two sons – Captain George Oliver Colthurst and Captain Richard Colthurst. Sir George was a resident landlord whose seat was at Blarney Castle and he held land amounting to 31,300 acres. A distinguished and enthusiastic member of the Cork County Cricket Club, Sir George played for the Zingaree, Na Shuler and the Gentlemen of Ireland.

He took a leading part in the Cork Exhibition of 1883 and was a director of the Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway and also of the Cork and Muskerry Light Railway – prior to a scheme of re-organisation under which they were absorbed by the amalgamated companies forming the Great Southern Railways Company.

Sir George was for many years a member of the Munster Agricultural Society and was also associated with the South Infirmary. He died on December 16th, 1925 and was succeeded by his son Captain Sir George Oliver Colthurst.

Colonel Sir Neville Francis Fitzgerald Chamberlain, or Inspector Fitzgerald as he was better known at Muskerry, was, according to the club minutes of October 15th 1907, asked to act as captain until the annual general meeting the following year. He had served in the 11th Devon Regiment of the British Army from 1873 to 1876 and was also on the staff of Lord Roberts during the Afghan War (1878 to 1880). He was Military Secretary to the Kashmir Government from 1890 to 1897 before commanding the Kyber Force in 1899. That year, also he became Lord Roberts private secretary at the time of the South African War.

In 1900, as an ex-Army Colonel, Chamberlain was appointed Inspector General of the Royal Irish Constabulary and had addresses at Oatlands, Castleknock and Brookfield, Raheny, Dublin. Chamberlain, who introduced snooker to India, was awarded the KCB Military Medal in 1900 and three years later, the KCB Civil award. The King’s Police Medal followed in 1913 and he retired in 1916.

A Muskerry minute book of May 2nd, 1908 records the first Annual General Meeting - arrangements for same having been made at a committee meeting a fortnight earlier when it was stated that the meeting would be held on the arrival of the 2.40 p.m. train from Cork. In the absence of the President, Sir George Colthurst, the meeting got underway at 3.15 p.m. and was chaired by Mr F W Mahony. Mr H Barter, in the absence of Mr Martin, submitted a financial statement which showed a debit bank balance of £28. 7s. 0d and this was considered very satisfactory considering the heavy labour bill that had to be met and the many other preliminary expenses.

General regret was expressed that the club should lose the services of Mr Martin and a warm vote of thanks was passed to him for the excellent services rendered by him to the club. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President Sir George Colthurst, Vice-President Richard Barter, Captain Henry Cronin, Hon. Treasurer Walter Morrogh, Hon. Secretary Mr Arthur Winder. Committee: Rev Mr Hayes, Inspector General Fitzgerald, Walter Dwyer, R Hall, F W Mahony, H Barter, J Dorgan, Prof J P Molohan, John O’Callaghan and Chas Daly.

The following scale of subscriptions for 1908 was adopted: Gentlemen £1.11.6; Ladies 15s 6; non-players 10s.6. For military and naval officers, also clergymen and bank officials – the sub to be £1.11. 6. yearly without entrance fee and may be paid half yearly. Temporary members: monthly tickets 10s; weekly 5s; daily one shilling; Family tickets £3.3.0 for existing members; Families joining, not already members, to pay £4.4.0 and £2.2.0 entry fee.

Parties becoming members of Muskerry Golf Club, if already members of the Cork or Monkstown clubs, may do so without paying the usual entry fee of £1. 1.0. It was decided that caddies under 14 years must not be employed except on Saturdays and Sundays. The question of caddies classification and charges was left to the committee. The Professional was granted a week’s leave of absence dating from May 12th, 1908.

An article in the Cork Sportsman newspaper of June 13, 1908, under the pen name ‘Five Down’, had this to day on a visitor’s impressions of Muskerry. “If golfers went out in search of the picturesque’ commenced the article ‘Muskerry would rank in front of St Andrews. This obiter dictum need not, at present, worry the rulers at ‘St Rules’ as few golfers care an old gutta for scenery when in pursuit of the rubber core and, in all truth, beauty of earth and sky and sea is a minor asset to a golf club when the whole secret of the game lies in the simple words – ‘Keep your eye on the ball.’

“After my first round at Muskerry, I felt chastened in spirit, but with a golfer’s fertility of excuses, I blamed the ground, the stone walls, the long grass, the river and, above all, the putting greens. Still, I do not say that Muskerry is a bad course as it is good in many respects. The greens are battle grounds between wiry grass and brown earth, in which the latter comes off victorious and the committee would be well advised to import a few car loads of seaside turf and relay at least five of the greens. “The course is well arranged but the tees are too far from the greens. Also the greens are all unguarded though in most cases the approach is difficult enough without bunkers.

“I am afraid my bad play has made me hypercritical and I frankly admit that few more rounds would be likely to modify my opinion very considerably. Muskerry compares favourably with many inland courses I have played over and there is no reason in the world why it should not be the training ground for a future Irish champion. “I had not the pleasure of meeting any of the officials but they are fortunate in their choice of servants. McNamara is a prince of professionals and the young lady who dispenses creature comforts to thirsty golfers is model of politeness.”

World famous golf course architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie’s first engagement in the South of Ireland was at Muskerry in August 1924 when he presented plans for the lay-out of nine new holes as the course was being extended to 18 following the purchase of land from Mr Michael Aherne of Dromasmole. He also suggested changes to two of the existing nine holes and the course was ready for play in the Spring of 1925.

A 1930 Muskerry booklet recorded the MacKenzie visit thus: “Dr McKenzie’s services were sought and secured for the first time in Southern Ireland and strikingly well has he performed his work for Muskerry’s 18 holes form a bold and beautiful course capable of absorbing the interest and attention of any player whatever his handicap may be. “The Doctor, after a march over the then gorse ground, returned to the Pavilion and, whilst awaiting lunch, sat apart with paper and pencil. In that short interval he ‘roughed out’ eleven new holes and astonished the members present by placing before them his still crude but perfect design. “The explanation was simple: everything was there to the eye of the master. Dr MacKenzie's opinion about the present 6th hole (then the 8th) is expressed in his report thus: If the hole is constructed according to my idea, it should make one of the best short holes in existence and will be of a somewhat similar type to the famous Eden hole at St Andrews.

Referring to the same hole (the present 6th) the Cork Examiner of the time had this to say: The tee for the new 8th hole is just in front of the clubhouse and the distance to the green is 180 yards. That does not sound very formidable, and, of course, the actual length of the shot is not, but woe betide the player who is not absolutely accurate in direction and placing. The reward for the good shot will be rich and the punishment for the bad one justly severe. In other words, the scales of justice will be evenly balanced and that is by no means always the case where golf holes are concerned.

As was the case with most other courses, MacKenzie did the design and his construction crew carried out the instructions. Tuam, County Galway native Jack Fleming was head constructor and the group of workers lived for a time in Tower, near Blarney (at Crowleys licensed premises –now known as Aunties). From that base they also carried out MacKenzie’s instructions for development at the Cork, Monkstown and Douglas clubs.

The Cork Examiner of April 4, 1925 reported that the work of carrying out elaborate plans in connection with the alteration and reconstruction of the Cork Golf Club course at Little Island had been in progress for several weeks. “So far” continued the newspaper “the results have justified the expenditure as the majority of the changes effected have certainly improved the character of the links.’

The scheme necessitated three entirely new holes; four old greens were discarded; other greens were improved by simple, yet very effective, changes in the contour of the ground; teeing areas were improved and bunkers were reconstructed through the introduction of sand. In 1925 also, Mackenzie drew up a plan for reconstructing the Monkstown course as it was considered necessary that the club ‘maintain its position in Cork golf and that the links be kept at its present location.’ The Cork Constitution newspaper reported that MacKenzie attended a general meeting at the club on October 24th, 1925. Mackenzie visited Douglas in late 1925 and again soon after the opening of a new clubhouse in September 1926 – the building replacing the pavilion burned to the ground at the time of ‘The Troubles’ in 1921. The membership at the time was 250 men and 130 women and it was felt the original course needed some changes. A plan was prepared by MacKenzie and the work was carried out by the British Construction Company of Leeds. Sand bunkers and the planting of plantations followed.

Lahinch was another big assignment for MacKenzie and, having been invited by the club in 1926 to bring about alterations, he remodelled a course originally designed by Old Tom Morris in 1891 and revised by Charles Gibson in 1910. The course straddled the Ennistymon Road at the time but MacKenzie did an extraordinary job with the dunes and the ‘Old’ course as we know it today has been termed a masterpiece. The project was completed over the winter of 1927 at a cost of £2,000. Having seen MacKenzie’s work of art at Lahinch, the officers of Limerick Golf Club then availed of his services. Patrick J Cotter’s excellent club history tells us that the world famous golf architect visited the course in the autumn of 1927 and he submitted a work plan, laid out in two stages. The first stage was considered essential and consisted of laying down six new greens. The second stage concerned the building of new tees, lengthening the course to 5,433 yards and the siting of bunkers. The minutes of the February 1928 Limerick A.G.M. record that approval was given to go ahead with the MacKenzie’s plans provided the cost did not exceed £800.

Interestingly, when the Lahinch club approved major course development plans in the late 1990s, a stipulation was that the course, and particularly the greens, be restored to the MacKenzie design – need we say any more as to the genius that was Alister MacKenzie. Today, a world wide Alister MacKenzie Appreciation Society exists – thus ensuring that the talented golf designer’s memory will be a lasting one. The man who played an influential role in Irish golf course design was born of Scottish parents at Normanton, near Leeds in 1870. He worked for a while as a doctor in the Leeds area and, by the age of 22, was a member of the Headingley Club (1892) and, four years later he had joined Leeds. He took on the post of Secretary at the Alwoodley club in Leeds in its formation year 1907 and was club captain in 1912.

He had a craving for golf course architecture from his school days but did did not have the easiest of starts in his chosen field as having designed the Alwoodley course, the club’s committee called in another famous architect Harry S Colt to advise on his layout plans. MacKenzie had initially been assisted by a close friend, Arthur Sykes, in the design project and the finished product provided him with the first opportunity to get his ideas accepted and with it the springboard to world-wide recognition. His hectic design schedule read something like this in the early days: 1908: Moortown, Leeds (officially opened in 1910 with MacKenzie acting as referee for the exhibition match between James Braid and Harry Vardon. MacKenzie was vice president at the time; the course was also the venue for the Ryder Cup match in 1929.

1912: MacKenzie designed the Reddish Vale course in Cheshire and the following year Sitwell Park, Rotherham; South Yorkshire; Garforth G.C., Leeds and Oakdale GC, Leeds were among his achievements.

1914 – 1918: MacKenzie got a call up to World War 1 duty (he had previously served in the Boer War 1899 to 1902). Involved in camouflage work – he had by now switched from the medical corps to the engineering scene.

1921: MacKenzie had plans approved for Douglas G.C., Isle of Man; Troon Portland GC, Troon,Ayrshire and, in 1923, Morecambe G.C., Lancs, England and the Newcastle Ladies course in Co Down were other projects.

1924: MacKenzie was appointed consulting architect to the Royal and Ancient Club, St Andrews and his association with courses in the South of Ireland commenced.

After his sojourn here, MacKenzie and his construction crew (Jack Fleming from Tuam, Galway included) concentrated to a major degree on American courses, as well as Australia and elsewhere and prior to his death in California (1934) he had played his part in designing the famous Augusta National course along with Bobby Jones. There can by no disputing his contribution to the game of golf as his name is also permanently linked internationally with such courses as: Pebble Beach (he remodelled the original course), Royal St Georges. Sandwich, Kent (1925);

• Australian G.C., Kensington, New South Wales; Royal Melbourne.
• Royal Adelaide (1926).
• Blairgowrie, Royal Queensland, Brisbane (1927).
• Charlie Chaplin Estate G.C., Beverly Hills, Cypress Point Club, Pebble Beach (bunkering), Santa Cruz, San Francisco; (1929).
• St Charles CC, Winnipeg; Mar de Paata, Argentina; Green Hills, California (1930).
• Pittsburgh, Sacramento, Lake Placid Club, Palmetto, South Carolina (1931).
• University of Michigan G.C.(1933).
• Ohio State University G.C., Columbus (1934 - not completed until 1938) and many more.

MacKenzie wrote a book ‘Golf Architecture’ in 1920. He listed 13 essential features for what he termed ‘the ideal golf course’.

 

1. The course, where possible, should be arranged in two loops of nine holes.

2. There should be a large proportion of good two-shot holes, two or three drive-and-pitch holes and at least four one-shot holes.

3. There should be little walking between the greens and tees and the course should be arranged so that, in the first instance, there is always a slight walk forward from the green to the next tee: then the holes are sufficiently elastic to be lengthened in the future, if necessary.

4. The greens and fairways should be sufficiently undulating, but there should be no hill climbing.

5. Every hole should have a different character.

6. There should be a minimum of blindness for approach shots.

7. The course should have beautiful surroundings and all the artificial features should have so natural an appearance that a stranger is unable to distinguish them from nature itself.

8. There should be a sufficient number of heroic carries from the tee but the course should be arranged so that the weaker player always has an alternative route.

9. There should be infinite variety in the strokes required to play the various holes – interesting brassie shots, iron shots, pitch and run-up shots.

10. There should be a complete absence of the annoyance and irritation caused by the necessity of searching for lost balls.

11. The course should be so interesting that even the plus-handicap player is constantly stimulated to improve his game in attempting shots which he has hitherto had been unable to play.

12. The course should be so arranged that the high-handicap player, or event the absolute beginner, should be able to enjoy the round in spite of the fact that he is piling up a big score.

13. The course should be equally good during winter and summer, the texture of the greens and fairways should be perfect, and the approaches should have the same consistency as the greens.

 

The Muskerry Light Railway is remembered by Cork Examiner journalist and historian Walter McGrath in this 1984 article. No history of Muskerry Golf Club would be complete without reference to the ‘Muskerry Tram’, that much-loved (and much-maligned) narrow-guaged steam railway which cut right through the golf course for a period of many years until the last train ran on Saturday, December 29th, 1934. The Muskerry Tram was quite an institution for almost half a century, both in Cork City itself and in the Muskerry hinterland which it served. By coincidence, the course was almost at the very centre of the railway’s route; in fact, its most important intermediate station was Coachford Junction, then adjoining Muskerry property and now actually incorporated into it in an area around the present 18th green.

The full title of the line was the Cork and Muskerry Light Railway. It was built by Robert Worthington, one of Ireland’s best known railway contractors, and it ran from Western Road, where Jury’s Hotel now stands, to three outer termini – Blarney (opened 1887), Coachford (1888) and Donoughmore (1893). The system was never noted for its speed, but then it operated in leisurely and unhurried times. Just as ordinary layfolk had many jokes about it – (don’t pick blackberries while the train is in motion’ etc) – so also the golfing fraternity invented many stories of weird and wonderful golf shots, e.g. the ball sailing through the window of a carriage and being carried on to Cloghroe or St Ann’s.

But there was nothing imaginary about the very real links which existed between the line and golfers’ travel arrangements over many years. The 10 a.m. Sunday train out of Western Road was the ‘Golfers Special’ for years and they held an almost proprietorial claim to the first class coaches. In the lowly third class went the hurlers for Coachford or Blarney, the bowlplayers for Cloghroe or Dripsey; the harrier men for Tower Bridge; the birdcatchers for the valleys of the Shournagh and Sheep Rivers. But the nattily-dressed plus-foured golfers were the exclusive patrons of the comfortably upholstered ‘first’ and we fear they didn’t always hide their attitude of superiority. However, they were often the victims of swift retribution when, with typical Cork wit and satire, derisive epithets were hurled at them from moving carriage windows as they played along the adjacent fairways, and God help the golfers of eccentric stance, lanky limb or over-generous posterior when those candid mobile onlookers were in merry mood.

So read the headline in the Cork Examiner of May 9, 1966 when reporting on a commemoration ceremony at Muskerry Golf Club. The newspaper stated that hundreds stood in driving rain to honour the men of 1916. In an impressive jubilee commemoration ceremony – the first of its kind to be held by a golf club – army trumpeters played the salute as civic and public dignitaries looked on. ‘Sundawn’ was played as the National flag was lowered by head greenkeeper, Mr Ned McSweeney, and, in the solemn moments of tribute, the Last Post broke the stillness of the countryside. Present at the ceremony were the Lord Mayor of Cork, Mr Cornelius Desmond; Mr Flor Crowley, T.D., Mr Pearse Wyse, T.D.; Mr A. A. Healy, T.D.; Very Rev Richard Canon Ronayne, P.P., Inniscarra; Rev Nicholas O’Connor, C.C., Cloghroe, Mr Walter MacEvilly, City Manager; the President of Cork Golf Club, Dr J Murphy; the club’s captain, Lt. Col. P O’Sullivan; the President of Douglas, Mr William O’Leary, as well as past presidents and captains of Muskerry.

The guests were greeted by Mr Patrick Ryan, President, Muskerry G.C. and by the club’s captain, Capt. Brian Cantwell, who presided. The ad-hoc co-ordinating committee of Capt. Cantwell, Mr Patrick Foley, hon. secretary, and Mr Garrett Tobin arranged the sequence of events. Earlier, at the request of Muskerry, Fr O’Connor celebrated Mass at Cloghroe Church for the repose of the souls of the men of 1916, at which members of the Oireachtas, civic leaders and other dignitaries were present. Subsequently, at Muskerry Golf Club, while the honours were being rendered, the Proclamation was read by Mr Michael McAuliffe, Cork, and the Reveille signalled the awakening spirit of nationhood. The Lord Mayor, Mr Desmond, thanked the club for their enterprise in scheduling the ceremonies. It was only right that those brave men of 1916 should be honoured and he was pleased and gratified that Muskerry had done them proud.

He was, he added, especially delighted to see children at the ceremony because he felt sure they would have gained by their presence a new measure of pride in the achievements of those great men of 1916. He was certain that history would not forget those men and that their names would be honoured and revered.

Taoiseach Jack Lynch and his Muskerry days. The late Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, was Muskerry’s esteemed President in 1970 and in a publication marking the ‘Cork 800 Year’ celebrations, the holder of six All-Ireland medals in a row (five hurling and one football in the 1940s with his native Cork) had this to say of his association. “I have some very happy memories of my membership of Muskerry, even if the quality of my golf did not contribute to them. I first joined the club in the early fifties just before I ceased my other sporting activities, hurling and football. As in the case of many of my friends, that great and loyal Muskerry man, Frank Casey, initially invited me to become a member. I was already a member of the Dail and, because of the job I had, I was obliged to reside in Dublin.

“But I well remember how I looked forward to coming to Cork at weekends and especially when I had finished my ‘clinic’ I used to have a fourball appointment with Frank, Paddy O’Donovan and Jim Murray, who subsequently went to Mullingar. On many an occasion I kept them waiting as a result of the numbers attending my ‘clinic’ but they were always very patient and indulgent with me. “In the middle and late fifties, a recurrence of an old hurling injury limited my golfing activities considerably – apart altogether from the limitation public life imposed on me – but this is not an excuse to admit that I won little, if anything, in the course of my membership of Muskerry, nor, indeed, did I win anything in any other golf club either. There was one exception, in the early fifties I think, when I won a rather remote competition in Muskerry for which I suffered the usual loss of a stroke. That brought my handicap to 17 at which it has remained ever since. “I should mention, though, that Mairin, my wife, did much better with fewer opportunities. She won Jerry Ryan’s President’s Prize at Muskerry in 1954.

Perhaps some of the occasions I enjoyed best were the annual ‘Lads’ v ‘Chaps’ matches organised by Frank Casey and Jim McCarthy. Frank has gone to his reward and Jim resides in Dublin but I would hope some time that these matches involving players of gaelic games and rugby could be revived, although, perhaps, they would have less meaning now that the G.A.A. Ban has been abolished. “One thing I always felt about Muskerry was the great esprit de corps that existed amongst the members. This was not confined to the golf course or to the very happy socials we used to have after the various important events, e.g. President’s and Captain’s prize days, but it extended into daily life activities as well.

Speaking of socials, the ‘turn’ I best remember was the ‘Bold Gendarme’ duet between Frank Casey and Bertie Dorgan, probably Muskerry’s most consistent member, now sadly deceased. “I remember too when the trees were planted during the captaincy of the late Dr Paul Kenefick - they have enhanced considerably the beautiful terrain of Muskerry. The seed was literally sown by John A O’Shaughnessy of Dripsey. A few years earlier, he planted the couple of small plantations between the then 8th and 16th fairways. “It was a privilege for me to have been elected President of the club in 1970 but I’m afraid I was unable, because of Government commitments, to contribute much to that office. I am also very grateful to the members for having elected me an honorary life member. As such I find myself in the company of men like Mick Power and Larry McCarthy, though not for the same reason” Mr Lynch added.

Munster Ladies Senior Champion: Ann O’Brien 1963.

Munster Ladies Junior Champions: Mary Higgins 1973 and Berna Moran 1980.

Munster Intermediate Cup: 1973. Munster Junior Cup: 1960, 1974 and 1982.

Munster Junior League: 1940, 1956, 1972, 1978, 1979 and 1985.

Munster Intermediate Shield: 1990.

Click on the images below to view larger pictures:

To Ann O’Brien goes the accolade as Muskerry’s top individual female performer as her triumph in the 1963 Munster Senior Championship at Cork Golf Club was an outstanding performance by a player who later went on to achieve greater success at Douglas, figuring in several Irish Senior Cup winning teams and being honoured by the national selectors. Ann became the first Muskerry player to win the Senior Championship following her triumph over Oonagh Heskin of Waterford. The semi-finals saw her defeat Ann Heskin of the host club while Oonagh accounted for Mrs J F Hegarty, Douglas. Muskerry gained junior championship wins on two occasions – Mary Higgins in 1973 and Berna Moran seven years later. In that 1980 triumph at Muskerry, Berna defeated clubmate Sheila Lucey by 2/1 in the semi-final before accounting for Fermoy’s Ellen O’Mahony by one hole in the decider. Interestingly, O’Mahony’s semi-final opponent was 15 year old Ada O’Sullivan, Monkstown, later to gain international honours and the captaincy of the Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team. Nora O'Connor, Helen Cotter, Mary Gamble and Ann O'Brien gave a great fillip to Muskerry ladies golf in 1960 when they won the Munster Cup at Killarney paving the way for some other notable successes in the years ahead.

 

Early recognition

Ladies golf at Muskerry received formal recognition within a year of the club’s formation in 1907 as a committee was set up comprising Mrs Townsend as Secretary, Mrs Cronin and Mrs Broderick. A perpetual challenge cup presented at the time is still played for by Muskerry ladies today. The early days were by no means easy for the fair sex, however, as they were not allowed play on Sundays or Bank Holidays from October to April, except in mixed foursomes competitions. There was a change of heart later and ladies were allowed play between October and April provided (a) they had their meals in the Ladies club room and (b) that they allowed all matches to ‘pass through’ on the course.

By 1910, the ladies had been given further recognition when they were asked to form their own Branch. They were given powers to co-opt other members and draw up a list of competition fixtures. Invited to serve as officers were Mrs Jo Madden, Mrs W J MacMullen and Mrs W J O’Hara. The Muskerry Ladies Branch in 1926 was under the captaincy of Miss K Dale and Miss C Daly was honorary secretary. One of the top lady players of the time was Florrie Fitzpatrick who won Arthur Powell’s captain’s prize in 1926. On moving to Malaya in 1930 she married Daniel Joseph O’Donovan (an uncle of present day Muskerry member Dave) and joined the Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur and was the only lady in that club allowed to play off the men’s tees as she was a scratch player.

In 1937, Muskerry agreed to forward two guineas to the Irish Ladies Golf Union as the Muskerry ladies membership was 81. Permission was granted to the Munster Branch ILGU to hold their annual meeting at Muskerry in 1938. In April, it was decided to increase the ladies membership to 100. By October, the membership ceiling was 120.

1974: Girlie Hegarty, a Muskerry member from 1938 to 1942, was elected President of the I.L.G.U. The 55th annual meeting of the Ladies Southern Executive held at Muskerry in 1985, was told by the I.L.G.U. Secretary that prizes for ordinary weekly club competitions ought not exceed £10; furthermore, captains and presidents prizes had an upper limit value of £75. Muskerry’s Berna Moran was returned to the Executive Committee.

In 1990, Muskerry ladies made up for years of disappointment by winning the Munster Intermediate Shield for the first time with a dramatic 3-2 victory over favourites Killarney at Castletroy. Paula McNamara gained the crucial point on the last green and the other members of the all conquering panel were: Eileen Buckley, Maria Hegarty, Mary Healy, Bridie Casey, Aedin McCarthy jnr, Lucia Ahern and Eleanor O'Regan. Teresa MacCarthy was team captain and Aedin McCarthy was Lady Captain that year.

The Muskerry club had presented the Shield to the Munster Executive for competition in 1955 and it was understandable that there should be great delight and excitement at the triumph as earlier teams had unsuccessfully contested the final on six occasions. Aedin McCarthy was elected to the I.L.G.U. Central Council in 1995.

In 1996, there was another splendid triumph for the club when Betty Horgan and Nora Finn emerged victorious in the Munster final of the Eileen Murphy Foursomes at Cork Golf Club in a competition contested by all clubs in the province. Millennium year (2000) was noteworthy in that Tess Murphy became the first Muskerry member to be elected Chairperson of the ILGU Southern District. She held office for two years.

In 2002, Kathleen O’Keeffe, Lady Captain in 2003, made her own bit of Muskerry history by following in the footsteps of her mother Maureen O’Reilly, who held the office in 1995 - thus becoming the first mother and daughter to fill the lady captaincy role at the club. Juvenile golf at Muskerry received a great boost in 2006 when Laura McCarthy was selected on the Munster under 15 team for the inaugural interprovincial series at Athy. She made a great impression and in 2007 she was chosen on the provincial under 18 team and gained two points from three starts.

Muskerry Golf Club cherishes its association with the great James Bruen – an amateur golfer hailed by top professionals in the late 1930s as the greatest player in the world. And the club can justifiably share in his wonderful successes as it was far seeing Muskerry officials who gave the talented youngster his first handicap of six - thus launching the Belfast born Presentation Brothers College, Cork student on the international stage.

The year was 1935 and, within 12 months, the 15 year old had become the first Irish player to win the British Boys Championship following a sensational 11 and 9 victory in the 36 holes final at Royal Birkdale. The triumph was but the beginning as victory over the great John Burke of Lahinch in 1937 put Bruen into the record books as the youngest winner of the Irish Close Championship, held at Ballybunion, and he retained the title the following year at the Castle Club in Dublin, defeating another Corkman Redmond Simcox.

Bruen propelled Muskerry on to the world stage in 1938 when gaining a place on the Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team that defeated the Americans for the first time. His father got permission from the Presentation Brothers to release him from school for the Walker Cup week and such was the nature of Bruen’s performances in the trials that it is generally accepted that it was the brilliant Muskerry player who provided the inspiration for the stunning victory.

Bruen had not seen the St Andrews course prior to the trials in May of that year and he returned 71 in the two practice rounds. A match followed against two other players and Bruen went round in a remarkable 68 shots to equal Bobby Jones’ 1927 course record. The Daily Telegraph has this to say at the time: ‘One of the longest hitters in the game, Bruen played with a slight draw and reached the plateau green at the long fifth (530 yards) with a drive and a three iron and then holed the 12 foot putt for an eagle’.

At the conclusion of the trials, Henry Cotton, the former Open champion, had this to say: ‘Fancy a 17 year old scoring 282 in four rounds here. I know what a stern course it is; long, difficult and tricky, but here was a mere boy playing it with a wise head and a technique which left everyone gasping. I have not known a player to do such scores no matter what his age. Bruen has set a standard for all players.’ Renowned journalist and commentator Henry Longhurst proclaimed before the clash with the Americans that the visitors had the greatest team ever assembled and that the other side would be fortunate to get three points out of the 12 matches.

Said Longhurst after the match: ‘It was the psychological factor in the person of Bruen which had the effect of demonstrating to the other players on the side that the Old Course was not so difficult after all as this boy set an entirely new standard of golfing ability.’ And the team captain John Beck went further when he said that Bruen gave the Americans an inferiority complex. “They had heard of his phenomenal scoring on the Old Course even before they arrived and then they saw him continue to do these scores there”.

For three years in a row (1937 to 1939), Bruen was the leading amateur in the Open Championship of Ireland and in 1939 also, following some sensational performances, he led the qualifiers in the British Open at St Andrews. Unfortunately, the War years were to interrupt a glittering career although he did bounce back in 1946 to take the British Amateur Championship and Walker Cup honours also came his way in 1949 and 1951 – the last three in the colours of Cork Golf Club. Bruen, in the meantime, remained the dominant figure in these islands - winning at will and setting course records all over the place leading British Open Champion Fred Daly to remark: “Bruen was a super golfer, clearly one of the greatest of his era. Had he turned professional he would have been in the Nicklaus, Palmer millionaire class.”

Commented Henry Cotton: “Most people who saw Bruen’s swing said it wouldn’t last but I saw immediately that when he got to the top, his right elbow came down to his right hip and his hands flashed the club head through with such speed that the ball was hit with the biggest carry you have ever seen – up to 300 yards.” Eddie Hackett, a famous course architect, had this to say: “Jimmy Bruen was undoubtedly the most exciting and spectacular hitter of a golf ball I ever saw. He is only a legend with the present school of young players and more is the pity as his talent in shot production, intelligence on the course and dedication to hours and hours of practice would be a headline of inestimable value to aspiring players.” Mick Power, the Muskerry international and Irish Close Champion in 1951, had this to say: “Jimmy Bruen was the greatest player I ever saw; he could go around the Island in 62, 63, 64, 65; anything more and he was only playing fair.”

Said Joe Carr, an all time great in Irish amateur golf: “Jimmy Bruen was one of the finest players in the world. Here in Ireland, he set a standard and we all tried to follow. He was a truly formidable opponent and made the impossible look almost routine.” Christy O’Connor snr had no doubt. “While I have always believed it difficult to compare performances in sport, in different eras, Jimmy Bruen would come very high, if not at the top of my list” he said. “In discussing his power, it has often been overlooked that he had finesse in every part of his game. Around the greens, he was delicately brilliant, and he was a better than average putter. He had complete confidence in his own ability.”

Added the great O’Connor, in a Sunday World column: “As professional at Royal Dublin, Bruen asked me to have a look at his swing. I watched him hit 40 or 50 balls with a five iron and they all finished within ten feet of each other. Yet, he was not happy and wanted advice on how to improve his technique.” Birkdale was to prove a happy hunting ground for Bruen and a club booklet made this reference to him: ‘Birkdale’s deadly willow scrub must have quaked at the power of some of Bruen’s recovery work although it would be quite wrong to imply that his big, booming drives never saw the fairway. It was simply that Bruen’s swing could extricate him from places where weaker brethren heaved and hoped.” What of the man himself ? In an interview with well known Belfast journalist Jack Magowan, Bruen related that as a youngster he had only one thought in mind – to hit the ball out of sight. “I just belted it as hard as I could. The loop that everybody made such a fuss about was as natural as writing my name especially after four hours of non-stop practice every day, plus 18 holes afterwards. As a boy, I rarely hit my driver in practice. Most of the time I spent pitching and putting. The pitch and run was my favourite shot”.

On reputations, Bruen had this to say: “I played the course and not an opponent. My target was always a round of level fours or better which, nine times out of ten, would be good enough in matchplay. All this talk about good stroke players and good match players is so much bunkum. In my book there are only good golfers.” In 1986 Muskerry Golf Club commemorated the 50th anniversary of James Bruen’s great achievement in winning the British Boys Championship by inaugurating an annual underage competition named the Bruen Memorial. A cup for the occasion was kindly presented to the club by Bruen’s widow, Nell, and it holds special significance. It was the prize that James won on J J O’Grady’s Captain’s Day in 1944 when, off a plus five handicap, he returned scores of 35 and 36 points to record a remarkable triumph in the 36 holes stableford competition.

1934: A newspaper report has this to say of 14 years old James Bruen: "His golf is long, accurate and well controlled. If he progresses as he is doing now he will be Amateur champion at an early age. It would be difficult for a good player to beat him today. We have been hoping for somebody like him to appear. Provided his father restrains his efforts and makes him aim at well controlled play we may yet produce, not a prodigy, but what Ireland has long been due to give us, namely, a real champion."

1935: Fifteen years old James Bruen received his first handicap of six at Muskerry following a fourball match in which he played with Colonel Dave Reynolds against Jerry Ryan, the club captain, and Dr Billy O'Sullivan. A year later, Bruen set a new Muskerry course record of 66.

1936: James Bruen became the first Irish player to win the British Boys Championship (at Royal Birkdale). Seven up at the halfway stage against William Innes from Lanark, Bruen ended the contest by holing from 15 yards for an eagle three at the 27th. He was presented with a gold watch on his return to Muskerry and his handicap was set at scratch.

1937: James Bruen reduced the Muskerry course record to 65 when winning the Mackessy Cup. Playing off plus two, he shot six birdies and an eagle and his card included nine threes 1937: James Bruen had rounds of 73 and 74 to finish second in the St Georges Vase at Sandwich. Commented a reporter at the event: “A magnificent feat for one so young. The reigning Boys champion clearly is a golfer of the highest promise. His swing, at first sight, is not prepossessing as there is a suspicion of lift and a shrugging movement of the shoulders but he comes through with a fine freedom and, though he hits very hard, he also goes very straight.” 1937: James Bruen was the leading amateur in the Irish Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The Cork Examiner reported: “Highlight of an exciting final day was the performance of 17 years old Cork golfer James Bruen. Though suffering from tonsillitis and advised by his doctor to withdraw, Bruen insisted on competing. His third round of 72 was a new course record and he beat this next time out with a magnificent 71.”

1937 and 1938: James Bruen, representing Muskerry, won back-to-back Irish Close Championships at Ballybunion and at The Castle Club in Dublin beating John Burke (Lahinch) and Redmond Simcox (Cork), respectively, in the finals. In winning at Ballybunion, he became the youngest player (17 years) to capture the title.

1938: James Bruen put all others in the shade with a round of 68 in the Walker Cup trial at St Andrews. His score equalled the record held by the great American Bobby Jones when he won his first Open there in 1927. His total for four rounds was three strokes better than what Jones had achieved. A letter was received at Muskerry from the Glasgow Herald seeking information on the feats of James Bruen. Bruen was an inspirational figure as the British and Irish Walker Cup team defeated the United States for the first time. Other team members on that marvellous occasion at St Andrews were: John Beck (Sundridge Park) captain, Harry Bentley (Hesketh), Leonard Crawley (Brancepeth Castle), Alex Kyle (Sand Moor), Frank Pennink (Royal Ashdown Forest), Gordon Peters (Fereneze), Charles Stowe (Penn), Cecil Ewing (County Sligo) and Hector Thomson (Williamwood). Bruen was the leading amateur in the Irish Open at Portmarnock – a championship won by Bobby Locke with Henry Cotton as runner-up.

1939: In March, it was announced by the Muskerry committee that James Bruen would be entering the British Amateur Championship at Hoylake, the Irish Amateur Close Championship at Rosses Point and the Open Championship of Ireland at Royal County Down. Bruen set a new course record of 67 in the Cork Scratch Cup qualifying round at Little Island. He had halves of 33 and 34 and his card contained nothing worse than a four.

1939: James Bruen won the Woodbrook Cup at Muskerry with a fantastic score of 63 gross – a round that included eight birdies and an eagle. Playing off plus six, Bruen set a new course record of 66 (six under par for the reconstructed course) in the second round of the President’s Prize competition at Muskerry. Representing Cork Golf Club, Bruen led the qualifiers in the British Open at St Andrews with rounds of 69 (Old Course new record) and 70 and his 139 total placed him four strokes ahead of Henry Cotton, Lawson Little of the U.S. and Percy Alliss. In the Championship proper, he had rounds of 72, 75, 75 and 76 (he had a nine at the 6th in the latter round) to finish 12th overall. Interestingly, his six rounds total (qualifying included) was eight strokes better than that achieved by any other player.

1939: James Bruen set a new record of 66 in the opening round of the British Open at Newcastle and the score prompted a telegram from Henry Cotton. “Glad I’m not there. Go on handing it out. Terriffic stuff.”…

1944: James Bruen, playing off plus five, won the 36 holes Muskerry Captain’s Prize with stableford scores of 35 and 36 points. He won by a point from E C Daly (5), M B McHugh (5), Jimmy Lee (10) and P J Oliver (16).

1946: James Bruen, representing Cork Golf Club, won the British Amateur Championship and a presentation was made to him by Muskerry President Michael J Kiernan on his return. Commented Mr Kiernan: “In this triumph, James Bruen faced many world champions and for beating them he deserves the thanks of the club and of the country. He re-asserted his claim to being the world’s foremost amateur golfer, a claim established before the War.” Bruen expressed thanks to Muskerry and said “Had it not been for Muskerry, I doubt that I would be here tonight. It was the club that first gave me a handicap”. He proposed a toast to the members of the Muskerry team that won the Irish Senior Cup for the first time a few weeks earlier. Sadly, the great James Bruen died in 1972 at the early age of 52. I leave the final word with Pat Ward Thomas, author of the outstanding book “Masters of Golf” who commented: “Bruen was the most fascinating golfer I have ever seen or probably will ever see. There was no limit to what he might have achieved had not the War come and had he so desired.”

Muskerry Golf Club’s first Professional, John McNamara, a member of a well known Lahinch family, took up duty in April 1907 having previously been engaged at Rushbrooke, near Cobh, (1903-1904) and Tramore in Waterford (1905-1906). He departed Muskerry in December 1909 on been given permission by the committee to supervise work on a course for the newly formed Douglas club.

McNamara was replaced at Muskerry by Sidney Humphreys, Bournemouth Corp G.C. A club minute reveals his terms as follows: One pound per week and the profits on clubs and balls sold; also he was allowed his fees for giving lessons (at one shilling per hour). The club was also to pay his travelling and lodging expenses.

He told the interviewing group that he would be satisfied to live in Cork; he would go out to the course in the morning by the train leaving Cork at 8.15. He would sign an agreement to be drawn up at once upon these conditions, making his engagement terminable after a month’s notice from either party. He remained at the club for close on two years, setting a course record of 69 over the then nine holes (played twice) in 1910.

1911: Thomas Travers took up the Muskerry post having previously served at Tramore, Waterford.

1912: James Hood, St Andrews, was appointed club professional but, due to financial constraints within the club, he departed in May 1914. He saw World War action after that with the Royal Scots Fusiliers and died of wounds received in action in France in October 1915. (reference Cork Examiner death announcement November 6th)

1914: Jeremiah Finnegan, from nearby Tower, acted as caddymaster and professional.

1916: Jack Higgins, a member of the well known Little Island, Cork golfing family, was appointed Professional. The Cork Examiner newspaper of September 24th, 1925, reporting on the inaugural professional tournament at Cork Golf Club, stated that Muskerry’s Jack Higgins and club honorary secretary Peter O’Flynn won an inter-club professional/amateur event held on the eve of the tournament defeating Tom Jennings and David Brown (Cork) in the semi-final and the Douglas pairing of John Sheridan and his amateur partner Mick English in the matchplay decider.

1931: Jack Higgins left Muskerry for Cork Golf Club and was replaced by Willie O’Brien of Tower and Dan Lehane, another local, followed later. Within a few years, Higgins’s brother David, also known as ‘Bobby’ took over. Records of 1940 show that David ‘Bobby’ Higgins represented Muskerry in the Irish Professional Championship held at Cork Golf Club.

1947: Tim McElligott was appointed Muskerry professional in succession to David Higgins and he rendered 32 years of unstinting and dedicated service to the club. His contribution was such that he was made an honorary member in 1979 and, two years later, the Professional Golf Association accorded him a similar honour.

On Tim’s death in 1987, Dermot O'Mahony, the 1971 Muskerry Club President paid this tribute through the columns of the Cork Examiner: "What can you expect from anyone born two fields in from the road" was an expression frequently used by Tim McElligott. This saying was literally true in Tim's case for his place of birth at Dromin, Ballybunion fitted the description. Nobody was ever quite sure whether Tim realised this, but nevertheless it became his explanation of and excuse for some self ascribed personal inadequacy.

“Those who had the privilege of knowing him could not see any inadequacy but could quickly recognise the genuine humility of the man, whose standards were set at a higher level than those of the 'ordinary mortal' - and what's more, practised. A lifelong teetotaller and non-smoker, he loved the occasional mild flutter at the races. Usually in the company of the late Dinny O'Brien, he attended, whenever possible, the Listowel meetings and this afforded him the opportunity of renewing old friendships and greeting relations. “Tim was most honest in all his business dealings, but many a time in the aftermath of a visit to his shop in Muskerry Golf Club you felt that you had got the best of the bargain until you realised that what you had purchased was very different from that which you had in mind in the first place. Such was his sales talk - soft, yet persuasive, yet ever a satisfied customer. “He was never known to utter a word in anger or in any circumstance to use any expression even bordering on the indelicate. That others chose to act in like manner in his presence surely was symptomatic of the high degree of respect in which he was held. His standards were high and remained so all his life. “Of his achievements he was extremely modest, yet his skill in course design and maintenance is exemplified on the 15th hole at Muskerry which is all his own work; also Charleville and, of course, all of Waterville golf course. It was a wonderful privilege to have known a man of Tim McElligott's calibre.”

Martin Lehane was appointed Muskerry Professional in succession to Tim McElligott and celebrated 25 years of wonderful service to the club in 2004. Martin has been joined at Muskerry in recent years by teaching professional Fred Twomey who is also the Munster G.U.I. Branch coach.

Irish Senior Cup: 1946, 1947 and 1953.

Barton Shield: 1953.

Irish Junior Cup: 1954, 1962 and 2007.

Jimmy Bruen Shield 2007.

Pierce Purcell Shield: 1971 and 1978.

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