Belmullet Golf Club recently marked its centenary year with a dinner dance in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel.
The club was founded in 1925 and for a good number years members played their golf on a nine-hole course in Cross/Ballymacsheeron on commonage owned by three local farmers. The fairways were grazed by the land owner’s cattle but the greens were wired off for protection. The club played a nominal fee for its use. The club held its awards and socials in a local pub in Binghamstown and back then there were great nights enjoyed with card games mixed with discussions on farming matters and golfing stories. Back in the early days, the club purchased a caravan which was used as a changing room with a lock box installed for green fees.
In 1992, the club moved to the famous Carne Golf Links which was designed by the late Eddie Hacket. The front nine opened in 1992 and the back nine in 1993 with the clubhouse officially opened in 1995 by the then Minister for Tourism Enda Kenny. The links course is one of the best in the world and attracts golfing visitors from across the globe, generating revenue for the local economy.
During the centenary dinner, there was great a slide show of photos featuring past victories, events, teams from days gone by and past members. There was a video of the club history plus a video expressing best wishes to the club from golfing professionals and even one from the United States President (AI-generated). Presentations were made to longest serving members Coilin Faherty and Anne McGarry, while the winner of the Centenary Golf Competition, Evan Ivers, was also recognised. Also in attendance were Paul Horkan of the Golfing Union of Ireland and public representatives Rose Conway Walsh TD and Cllr Gerry Coyle.
Congratulations to the great committees and officers over the years and roll on the next one hundred years.
