Mahee Island Golf Club - History Information

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THE EARLY YEARSAlthough not conveniently situated the Club grew and developed throughout the 1930’s. Despite the necessity of transport to reach Mahee Island many visitors were attracted, in 1931, it is recorded that 1,600 visitors paid green fees and the following year this had increased to more than 2,000. A tribute to the popularity of the game, and indeed of the new Golf Course. Membership was fairly static, although records show many new applications to join, but there were also many resignations. In 1933 the Treasurers records show that there were 106 men and 71 ladies, 1934,106 men and 75 ladies, 1935, 105 men and 92 ladies; these figures are not including the Bond Holders and their families which in 1935, totaled 12 men and 10 ladies. Always keen to “show off” the Course and gauge the progress being made from the reaction of visitors, an exhibition match involving four well-known local Professionals was played in the summer of 1931. The match between, H Hamill, and J Hamill against J McCartney and Pat Sawey was witnessed by a large crowd but more importantly the pros. “expressed themselves highly pleased with the state of the Course.” In those early days, the Ladies Section showed no great involvement in the Club. There are few records of Ladies competitions although Mixed Foursomes were popular; this was always played on Captain’s Day, the outstanding event of the season. The Council repeatedly reminded the Ladies of the need for more enthusiasm, in fact, to encourage this, application was made to the Ladies Golfing Union of Ireland, for membership, to which the Mahee Island Ladies section was admitted in 1932. In the minutes of a Council meeting on Tuesday 13th June 1934, the Ladies requested permission to hold competitions on Saturday 25th June and 8th July. “Permission was unanimously granted”. Times have certainly changed! The election of the Club Captain, invariably meant that his wife should assume responsibility for the Ladies. Not all the wives were able to give sufficient time or energy to the Club, so levels of enthusiasm varied. The secretary in his report of the 1935 season notes “ the Ladies Section was most active and carried through a very ambitious programme of competitions.” Unfortunately, the upsurge in enthusiasm did not continue and for many years the Ladies Section struggled. To provide further interest and give additional recreation a tennis court was laid out next to Mr. David Boyd’s house. This was formally opened on Captain’s Day July 2nd 1931 when an exhibition match was played and enjoyed by the members. A committee was formed to oversee the Tennis Club, deciding that visitors could hire the Court for 2/- an hour while Club members paid 1/6. This is the only reference to Tennis, in all the well-documented Minutes, leaving one to wonder how successful this venture was. To stimulate the social side of the Golf Club, a somewhat novel competition was introduced called “Cock of the Walk.” Two “small emblems” were obtained and worn by two members; any other pair could challenge the badge holders to a game. If successful they would wear the badges until someone beat them and so on. This proved very popular and became known as the “Rooster Competition” simply because the emblem chosen was a rooster. This continued from 1931 throughout the 30’s but not revived after the War.