Mahee Island Golf Club - History Information

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WE MUST MAKE IT OFFICIALThe official opening of the Club took place on Saturday 31st May 1930 at 3 pm. This was a well-planned and very successful occasion, even the weather was ideal. In the absence of the Marchioness of Londonderry, her daughter Lady Margaret Stewart, presided over the ceremony, she was accompanied by her sisters Lady Helen and Lady Mairi. Lady Mairi cut the ribbon to unfurl the new Club flag. Mr. H C Kelly was presented with a new steel-shafted Club, with which he drove the first ball to officially “open” the new Course. There is no record of the attendance but the secretary reported, “The attendance of members and visitors was really all that could have been desired.” The Right Hon. John M Andrews proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Kelly and the gratitude of the Club was expressed to Lady Margaret and Lady Mairi by Major C Blakiston-Houston. Refreshments were provided free of charge by the Ulster Menu Company, owned by Mr. Nelson McMillen a man destined to play a big part in the life of Mahee Island Golf Club. Mr. Hugh C Kelly, was Sub-Sheriff of County Down and a member of Royal County Down Golf Club. He was one of the original twelve who met in the Royal Hotel Belfast, on 13th November 1891, to institute the Golfing Union of Ireland. Mr. Kelly was acting-secretary at the meeting, which formulated and passed 15 Resolutions, which formed the basis of the G U I. Resolution 6 stated, “that Mr. Hugh C Kelly be appointed Hon. Treasurer” and number 15, “that Messrs.H Herdman, G Combe and H C Kelly should draw up Rules for both the Union and Championship meetings.” He served as Treasurer for some 12 years, and later became President in 1926 a position, which he held until 1928. When Mr. Kelly drove the first ball to formally “open” Mahee Island Golf Club he was the immediate past President of the G U I. For his services at the opening he was granted Honorary Membership. He continued to have a close association with the Club and is mentioned from time to time in the Council minutes. Most notably when in May 1935 the Council sent a letter of congratulations on his 86th birthday. Hugh Kelly was a multi-talented sportsman, considered to be a very good golfer; he also played International rugby for Ireland, a keen sailor who participated in the Americas Cup races. He died in 1945 at the age of 96, and is remembered in his home Club, Royal County Down where they compete for the Kelly Cup and at Mahee Island where the H C Kelly Trophy is played for annually. After the opening Lady Londonderry agreed to be President, a position she held for a number of years. During the 1930 season it is recorded that His Royal Highness Prince Henry visited the Course. Unfortunately as the secretary reported “it was a very wet afternoon and he was unable to play. He was however received by the Captain and Secretary and signed the Visitors Book”. Twelve-year-old Jim Middleton, later to become Captain and President of the Club, was chosen to caddie for the young Prince but although his services were not required he did receive his “fee” which was 6 pence Just imagine but for those poor conditions we might now be commenting on “Royal” Mahee Island. This was indeed a big year for the club, Mr. Cather, the first Captain was highly praised for his enthusiasm and leadership, the Secretary in his report stated that “in these stages of the Clubs existence good leadership is essential and in Mr. Cather we had an ideal leader”. During the winter of 1930, when the playing season ended, the Gabbey brothers were employed on reconditioning the course, stone ditches were removed, nine new Tees made and bunkers added. Using a horse drawn cart with wooden runners to protect the ground, called locally “a slipe” tons of soil and stones were moved. Mr. Alex Johnston embarked on making access from the main road to the first Tee; he also moved the “Tea Room” originally sited at the lay-by convenient to Nendrum, nearer to the first Tee and fitted it up comfortably to be used as a Clubhouse. All of this at his own expense, no wonder he and his wife Mary were elected Honorary Life Members. His mother, known affectionately as “Granny” collected green fees at a window in the gable of the farmhouse and members and visitors alike enjoyed the food provided by the family in the Tea Room at very reasonable prices.