Tuam Golf Club

Tuam Golf Club
Club information
Coordinates 53°29′38″N 8°50′10″W / 53.494°N 8.836°W / 53.494; -8.836Coordinates: 53°29′38″N 8°50′10″W / 53.494°N 8.836°W / 53.494; -8.836
Location Tuam,
County Galway,
Ireland
Established 1904
Type Members Club
Total holes 18
Website Official website
Designed by Eddie Hackett
Par 72
Length 6138

Tuam Golf Club, is a parkland course located in Tuam, County Galway. Founded in 1904, it has been an affiliated member of the Golfing Union of Ireland since 1940.[1]

History

The origins of golf in Tuam go back to the early 1900s when two local businessmen holidayed in the town of Harrogate in England. There they became acquainted with the game, purchased clubs and balls and brought them back to Tuam.[2] Initially located in the townland of Cloonascragh (on land owned by one of the two businessmen), Tuam Golf Club opened in 1904 with 60 members. In 1937 it relocated to the lands of the Kilgarriff family at Mayfield.

In 1948 Christy O'Connor Snr came to the club as a professional, and gave local golf lessons. In 1951 he was encouraged by friends in Galway and Tuam to play in the British Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club. He finished as leading Irishman in the championship and later that year was invited to take up the position as professional at Bundoran Golf Club.

In 1975 the club moved to its current location at Barnacurragh, with the course designed by Eddie Hackett.[3]

In 1991 a new clubhouse was constructed, with bar, restaurant, changing rooms and a pro-shop. Improvement works continued over the years with Christy O'Connor Jnr advising the club. Other development work undertaken between 2007 and 2009 was under the guidance of golf architect Ken Kearney.[4]

Tuam Golf Club granted full membership to lady members in 1992[5] and in 2004 allowed Category 1 lady members compete for the Gents President's Prize.

Tuam Golf Club has hosted several championship events over the years, including the Connacht GUI Club finals, and The Irish Open Boys Championship.[6][7] Tuam Golf Club is now one of the biggest clubs in the West of Ireland with over 500 members.

Course

The course is Par 72, measuring 6138 meters, with most fairways being tree lined, with water features on three holes. The feature hole is the Par 3 15th hole,[8] which is played from an elevated tee, over water to a sloping green. The resident PGA Professional is Tom Niland.

Club Honours

References

  1. ↑ "Golfing Union of Ireland". GUI National Headquarters, Carton Demesne, Maynooth, County Kildare. Jan 1, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Centenary for Tuam and golden year for Christy". Irish Independent. April 26, 2004.
  3. ↑ "Eddie J. Hackett [1910-1996]". Irish Golf Archive. December 16, 1996.
  4. ↑ "Tuam Golf Club celebrates new course development". Galway Advertiser, Galway City. June 9, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Changing back at Tuam". Irish Times, 24-28 Tara Street, Dublin 2. September 9, 1997.
  6. ↑ "First French winner of Irish Boys' Open". Irish Times, 24-28 Tara Street, Dublin 2. June 27, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Pendaries cruises to eight-shot Irish Boys win". Irish Golf Desk. June 26, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Tuam Golf Club - Feature Hole". Aerial Videos, Tuam, County Galway. April 13, 2013.
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