Spectacular course developments at Bandon Golf Club
The revamp features six new holes which have been integrated into the present course at a cost of 600,000.
No standing still as Michael Stafford, Chairman of the Development Committee, explained: “Our predecessors did their bit and it is up to the present generation to carry on the good work. It was obvious that we needed to make the course more user friendly so there was a need to move forward”.
With a target clearly outlined, the Development Committee of Michael Stafford, John Carroll, Niall Coakley, Jim Hurley, Tim Lucey, Kevin O’Leary, John Donegan, Donie O’Donovan and current Captain Finbarr McCarthy set about their task in millennium year.
They engaged well known Course Architect Jack Kenneally and work began on the development of three holes near the Castle in March 2001. The move to new terrain was a master stroke, the enthusiasm of members was obvious and, not surprisingly, the improvement of other holes quickly followed.
Said Chairman Michael Stafford: “The support of members was fantastic. We held three EGMs, everything was explained and there was not a single objector to the plans. The members are funding everything through a levy arrangement which ends in 2005.”
“All wanted the Bandon course improved so that we could take our place with the other developing clubs. The result will be there for all to see at the weekend and we are confident that nobody will be disappointed.” he added.
In the new course arrangement, a starting point for the first and tenth holes will be adjacent to the Clubhouse and this has obvious benefits in the area of competitions etc.
The present 14th and 15th will become the 2nd and 3rd and after that it is down the present second. From there on, the outline is simple to follow with a feature being the several good vantage points available to spectators for Munster Branch and other inter club matchplay fixtures.
The golf tradition runs deep in the Bandon area and there is a record available of a match against Coachford as far back as 1894. The Golfing Annual of the time said the Bandon course was sited at Castlebernard Estate, a mile from the rail station.
It is said that the Castlebernard gentry engaged their Castlefreke Castle counterparts in private matches for a few years and Mr L Hewitt, JP, Cloncool is listed as Secretary in 1897.
On to the 1905/’06 era and local folklore suggests that Lord Bandon, during the course of a card game, offered to lease land sufficient to lay out nine holes and work on the project was completed in 1909. In November of that year a meeting was held in the Town Hall to formalise the setting up a club; the Earl of Bandon was elected President and J J Calnan was the founding Captain. The Club was immediately affiliated to the Golfing Union of Ireland and, a year later, James McKillop of Portmarnock was appointed the Club’s first Professional.
The generosity of the Earl of Bandon was much in evidence again in 1921 when more land was leased and various committees down the years kept their eye on the ball with the aim of further improvising the course.
The last 30 years or so has seen development on a large scale including the building of a clubhouse and the course extension to 18 holes. The latter event was the highlight of 1978 and since then there have been further advances including the renovation of the clubhouse in 1989 and the placing of a water feature adjacent to the last green - a move that has struck fear into even the best when a good score is in the making.
The huge membership of men, women and juveniles are becoming more accustomed to this and other hazards, however, and for them the important aspect is that their club can now take its place with the country’s best parkland venues. The input of so many people on the latest development, plus the vision of committees down the years, have worked wonders and everybody deserves a pat on the back.
It is now time for some celebration and the weekend programme is sure to bring pride and satisfaction to the 130 or so teams participating in a two day tournament on a course excellently maintained by Greenkeeper Jim Madden and his staff.
Club dining facilities are in the capable hands of Ger Mehigan and this staff. Ger who has many years of experience in the catering industry under his belt, he was senior sous chef in the Glen Eagle Hotel in Killarney for three and half years. He was also senior chef at the famous Dromquinna Manor Hotel in Kenmare, Co. Kerry and head chef at the Riverside Restaurant in Bandon Co. Cork.
Bandon Golf Club, Castlebernard,
Bandon, Co. Cork. Tel 023 41111.
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