Origins of Athy Golf Club
Instituted 1906. Affiliated 1906
There are various documented reports on the origins of Athy Golf Club.
The Irish Times 1906
At the commencement of 1906, a desire was generally expressed for a golf club, and the first circulars in connection with this desire were signed by Mr. John Corcoran, and those interested were Sir Anthony Weldon, Messrs Downey, White and Lesmond. The first meeting took place on January 30th 1906, and the land at Geraldine was chosen as a suitable course. The Irish Times of January 31st 1906 documents the initial meeting of the club. This meeting was presided over by Mr John A. Duncan J.P. Prior to 1906 the Athy golfers had played with the men of Carlow at Gotham(Founded 1899). Larkin, the Bray Club professional laid out holes and Barrett, late of Hermitage marked out the bunkers.
The Golfing Annual 1906/07records the first amateur course record by Mr. H.F. Lesmond in October of 1906. Mr Lesmond was the Captain in 1906/07.
The Irish Field October 2nd 1909
An article in the Irish Field of October, 2nd 1909 describes a visit to Athy Golf Course by a correspondent.
The Great Southern and Western Railway Company run an admirable service of trains to Athy, which is only a little over an hour from Kingsbridge Station, Dublin. Athy was the capital of County Kildare. The Golf Course is a short mile from the town, and is situated at Geraldine on Mrs O’Neill’s property. The course, therefore, cannot be called inaccessible.
I drove out to the course, which is at once seen to be pleasantly situated amidst picturesque surroundings. In some way it is similar to the Hermitagecourse, near Dublin, except it possesses only nine holes. Though short, the course is not very much spoilt thereby, as the shortness exists in three holes, all of which are exceptionally good and difficult enough for anyone. It is a course that should turn out good players, as there are testing shots of all kinds. The lies will improve with time, and are none too bad now. The greens, if a little weedy, are quite true and fast, and very well looked after. To my mind it is very creditable that so small a club should be able to keep its rich grass course open all the year round, as the expense must be considerable. Not only is this done but a capital professional in Devereux is employed. There are no very short handicap men in the club, but it is safe to prophesy that my promising players will very soon be lower than they are at present.
Mr C. W. Taylor, who had been the captain of the club for the past two years, has given a great deal of support to the club. The unselfish work of the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. P. Whelan, deserves honorable mention, as much of the financial success of the club is due to him. The work of the Hon Secretaries, Messrs P. Downey and Fitzpatrick must not be forgotten, as well all know how much depends on the secretaries of any clubs whether provincial or otherwise.
Officers of the Club (1909)
President Sir Anthony Weldon D.S.O.
Vice Presidents R. E. Cassidy, M. J. Minch, John A. Duncan. J. L. Stirling, Thomas Roche.
Captain C. W. Taylor.
Hon Secretaries P. Downey, A. Fitzpatrick
Hone Treasurer J. P. Whelan
Committee D. J. Hannon, Rev. J. Nolan, W. Carbery, W. Rice, S. O’Neill, Walter Murphy, T. J. Bodley, Dr. O’Neill, David Telford, E. Boylan, J. W. Coote, H. O’Brien, T. Russell, A. K. Pennycooke, E. Higginson, W. Hurley.
The correspondent goes on to describe the holes at Athy Golf Club.
The amateur record was 38 and the professional record was 35.
The course described was very similar to the 9 hole course as it stood up to the expansion to 18 holes as we know it today.
The conclusion was that Athy was a very good sporting inland course and that the members deserved credit for the good order it was kept in.
The Irish Field October 2nd 1910
An article appeared in this edition which gave the details of Institution of Athy Golf Club. This article is not available at present.
