Dooks has big plans for 125th birthday

Dooks Golf Club celebrates its 125th anniversary this year and the renowned Kerry links wants as many golfers as possible to join the party.

Founded in 1889, Dooks is one of the 10 oldest golf clubs in Ireland and to mark this year’s milestone the club has launched a programme of events it hopes will attract players to its stunning corner of Dingle Bay beneath McGillycuddy Reeks.

Many social and golfing events are planned for the year, says manager Michelle McGreevy with details to be found at the club website, www.dooks.com, while a visit to their Facebook Page ‘Dooks Golf Club 125’ promises interesting posts on club history as well as an event schedule for 2014.

The long history of the club, since nine holes were laid out by members of the Royal Horse Artillery billeted in Glenbeigh, has been marked by regular improvement with the addition of a further nine holes in 1899, which made it the first 18-hole course in Kerry.

More recently, Dooks commissioned renowned course architect Martin Hawtree to overhaul the links, his €2.5million revamp being completed in 2006 to widespread acclaim. The club has also recently purchased 80 acres of natural dune lands adjacent to Dooks, known as The Commonage, which it says “provides a mouthwatering opportunity for the future potential development of spectacular new links golf holes”.

“While visitors are always welcome in Dooks, there will be an extra special welcome in 2014, our 125th anniversary year,” McGreevy said.

For further information, contact her by email at [e-mail] or by phone on 066 9768205.