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BANDON GOLF CLUB 1909-2009
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BANDON GOLF CLUB Centenary 1 9 0 9 - 2 0 0 9
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Designed by: C2 Design
Printed by: Bandon Printers
Photography: Mike Brown John McGinley
Editorial Team: John McGinley Paddy O’Flynn Donal Murphy Paddy Kehoe Elma O’Brien
List of Acknowledgments: National Library of Ireland Examiner Publications Cork City & County Archives Extracts from the Foulsham's Sports Library - Golf Really Explained by George W. Greenwood - Published c. 1935 Ross Coakley
Published by: © Bandon Golf Club 2009
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Contents Editor
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President
4
Captain
5
Lady Captain
6
GUI and ILGU
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History of Castle Bernard
11
Minutes
15
Bandon Golf Club - The Early References
47
The Course
49
Tom Brennan’s Memoirs
65
Jubilee Years
69
Castigator
75
Internationals
101
Bandon’s Other Real Golfers
103
Senior Moments
105
McEvoy Days
107
‘The Honest Draw’ - Thursday Four-Ball
109
Ladies
113
Lady Captain’s Dinner
121
Fancy Dress & Party Time
127
Professional Pride
131
Golf Really Explained
137
Staff
141
The Clubhouse
143
Cups
145
Shields & Pennants
153
Bandon Teams
157
Honours Board
165
Presidents, Captains & Lady Captains
169
List of Members
178
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Centenary Committee
Standing: John Donegan, Jim Hurley, Tomás Bambury, John McGinley, Donal Murphy, Elma O’Brien, Gerry Fitzgerald (President 2008). Seated: Carl O’Mahony, Clare McGinley, Niall Coakley, Gus O’Brien, Margaret Shorten
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Editor
Bandon Golf Club It was at a committee meeting during 2004 that the subject of the club’s centenary was first discussed. Two dates were suggested and it quickly became obvious that nobody was quite sure as to when the club had actually been founded. One date suggested was 1893, the second was 1909. No documentary evidence, apparently, existed in the club to support either date, so as Hon. Secretary at the time, I was asked to try to resolve the issue. The first port of call was the GUI who were only able to give the date of 14th June 1911 as being the date the club was affiliated to the GUI. William Menton’s book on the GUI also listed 1911 as the year of affiliation but listed 1893 as the foundation date. I was next directed to Bill Gibson who in 1988 had produced that wonderful and invaluable book entitled ‘Early Irish Golf’ which contains key material on the foundation of virtually all golf clubs in Ireland. Bill very kindly consulted his research notes on Bandon, and at last the fog began to clear. Then, late in 2006 I was approached one day in the car park of the club by a beaming Tony Neville, a long time member and Club Trustee. From his car he produced a tome which turned out to be the Minutes of virtually all of the first 50 years of the club. This had been bound and presented to the club by his late uncle Jim Neville and had just been discovered in Tony’s old office where it had been held for safe-keeping during one of the reconstruction phases of the clubhouse. The Minutes of the first meeting were there and clearly gave the 9th November 1909 as the date of the first meeting. It would appear that a private 9-hole course belonging to the Fourth Earl of Bandon was in place from 1893 (Bill Gibson’s research). This was the ground that the Earl first made available to the club in 1909. Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank the club members and their families, too numerous to mention here who generously made available memorabilia and photos from times past, the many members who gave of their time so willingly without which this book would not have been possible. I would also like to thank Leila Cotter for the wonderful design of the book, Mike Brown for his exceptional photographs and Robert Merrick for the final production as we see it. It has been a very great honour for me to have been associated with the production of the Club’s Centenary Book, and I very much look forward to enjoying our year, along with our fellow centenarians, Douglas, Thurles and Laytown / Bettystown.
John McGinley Editor - Centenary Annual 2009
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Presidential Address
Bandon Golf Club I feel very honoured to be President of Bandon Golf Club in the centenary year. My wish is that our members and visitors will enjoy the centenary year by playing golf on our scenic course and enjoy the hospitality of our friendly clubhouse. The status our club enjoys is the culmination of the innovative and forward looking attitude of our wonderful members over the century. We must also remember our relationship with Castle Bernard – the initial land for the first nine holes was provided by the Fourth Earl of Bandon. The Fifth Earl provided the land for the second nine holes in 1984. We are indeed fortunate to have such a fine facility. Let us wish our deceased members eternal rest and may they watch over and guide us. My hope is that our club continues to stride the road of progress and that our 100th year will prove to be a successful launching pad for a second century of success.
Gus O’Brien President
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Captain’s Address
Bandon Golf Club It is a tremendous honour for me to be the Captain of the club in the year in which we celebrate the club’s centenary and the marvellous achievements of all those wonderful people who have gone before us. What we are really celebrating are the many pleasant hours of golf and fellowship and fun enjoyed over that time by members past and present, men and women, young and old, all united under the badge of Bandon Golf Club and by the love of golf and their respect for its rules. We enter our centenary with considerable pride in the design and condition of our course and the facilities in our fine clubhouse. The club we have today is the product of the dedication, hard work and vision of all those members who have served us over the years, and the spirit and atmosphere created by those members. In this special year let us remember all deceased members with respect and affection. Ar dheas Dé go raibh siad. Bandon Golf Club has built an enviable reputation for good golf and better hospitality. It is on us as custodians of the club to continue to improve that reputation this year and in the years to come. Let us celebrate the year with vigour, style and panache. It is my hope that our club continues to stride the road of progress and that our 100th year will prove to be a successful launching pad for a second centenary of success. I would like to complement and congratulate the members of the Centenary Committee on this publication and on the wonderful calendar of events they have arranged to help us celebrate the year. Finally I would like to encourage all our members and indeed all the people of the Bandon area to come and join in our celebrations during the year. Here’s to the next one hundred.
Carl O’Mahony Captain
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Lady Captain’s Address
Bandon Golf Club It is a great honour and privilege for me to be Lady Captain of Bandon Golf Club in its Centenary Year, and hopefully I will be able to live up to the high standards set by the Lady Captains who have preceded me, and who have contributed greatly over the years to the development of the Club. From its humble beginnings, at a meeting held in the town hall in November 1909, Bandon Golf Club has flourished, and due to the work and dedication of our predecessors we have every reason to be very proud of our club today. We, as members, have a great responsibility to continue to carry on this hard work, and to hand on to future generations a course and a club that will go forward for another century. The club has seen many changes over the years, the most significant, from the ladies point of view, is that since 2002 we can take our place as full members and have an important say in all aspects of the running of the club. I hope for the coming year that you all enjoy good health, great golf, that you make lasting friendships through golf, and that the good Lord will watch over us all.
Clare McGinley Lady Captain
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GUI Address Congratulations to Bandon Golf Club It is my great privilege as President of the Golfing Union of Ireland to extend heartiest congratulations to Bandon Golf Club and all its members on the occasion of the Club’s Centenary. It has undoubtedly been a wonderful passage of time for one of the oldest clubs in Munster, and certainly Bandon Golf Club has enhanced the lives of many and provided wonderful opportunities to play golf and also enjoy all the social activities that are part of a club. Bandon Golf Club has played a very big role in the local community, providing a wonderful facility and especially for its policy in developing and encouraging the game at Junior level. On behalf of the Golfing Union of Ireland I congratulate Bandon Golf Club on reaching its centenary, and wish all the members a most enjoyable year, and continued success in the future.
Barry Doyle, President, Golfing Union of Ireland
ILGU Address As President of the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union (Ltd.) I was very pleased to be invited by Bandon Golf Club to write a foreword to your book on the occasion of the Club’s Centenary Year. Celebrating a Centenary is a wonderful occasion. It is a time for reflection, remembering the founder members who had vision and insight to form a Club, and the generations of members right up to the present day who have had and have a total commitment to the Club. It is also time for the members to look to the future, to carry on the legacy they have been given, to enter into the next Century with the benefit of all they have inherited and continue to grow and prosper in the years to come. I was delighted to see that the legacy of Bandon has reached far and wide and I was very impressed with your namesake Bandon Dunes in Oregon when in 2006 four Irish players represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup. Bandon town in Oregon was named by George Benett who originated from Bandon in Cork in 1852. I suspect he was not a golfer but none the less it is a great link to have created between the two clubs and one I am sure will survive to your next centenary. The Irish Ladies’ Golf Union have long standing links with Bandon Golf Club with past and present members serving on Council, and the Southern District look forward this year to playing the District final of the Senior Cup at the Club in May. Finally, on behalf of the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union I wish the members of Bandon Golf Club a happy and pleasant year in their celebrations.
Anne Wallace President of the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union (Ltd.)
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Parent Committee 2009 Photo
Committee of Management Seated L/R Richard O'Flynn, John McGinley (Vice President), John Hurley, Carl O'Mahony (Captain) Gus O'Brien(President), Clare McGinley(Lady Captain), Bernadette Canniffe, Tim Lucey. Standing L/R Liam Horgan(Vice Captain), Gabriel Moloney, Niall Coakley, Gerry Fitzgerald, Anne Buckley, Irene Noonan, Mary Halpin(Vice Lady Captain), Rose Lynch, Ber O'Halloran, Des Riordan, Paddy O'Flynn, Jim O'Driscoll
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Mens Committee Seated L/R John Collins, Michael O'Mahony, Carl O'Mahony(Captain), Liam Horgan(Vice Captain), Jim O'Driscoll, Donal Warren. Standing L/R Barry Nash, Declan O'Neill, Tim O'Keeffe, Pat McCarthy, Ger O'Sullivan, Trevor O'Donoghue
Ladies Committee Seated L/R June Murphy, Ber O'Halloran, Clare McGinley (Lady Captain), Mary Halpin (Vice Lady Captain), Stephnie Murry, Margaret O'Brien. Standing L/R Kay O'Donovan, Suzanne Murphy, Rose Lynch, Margaret Donegan, Nuala Buckley.
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Castle Bernard Front View from the Lawrence Collection courtesy of the National Library of Ireland
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History of Castle Bernard
Paddy O’Flynn
The Ground We Walk Upon The grounds of Bandon Golf Club enjoy a tranquil and beautiful position in the valley of the Bandon River, but matters were not always thus in this valley. When writing the history of the golf club it is interesting to reflect on the past and the turbulent times, which preceded its establishment. Events of major historical importance were played out around here. The Bandon area on several occasions found itself in a kind of frontier zone between various competing cultures. Here, the traditional Gaelic heartlands to the west were confronted by a succession of settlers - Danish, Norman and English. These confrontations are, of course, part of our national history but, at a local level, they have left a legacy and a relevance which forms an interesting backdrop to the story of our development. These connections with the Bandon Valley are numerous and they can be sketched only briefly here. Brian Boru’s daughter Saidhb (Sive) married Mahon – the first to take the surname Mahony and they lived in a fort just to the north of Bandon at Lios na ban Rí (Queensfort). The valley itself was not yet habitable and the town of Bandon did not exist prior to 1604. Up to then the river valley to the west of Innishannon remained heavily wooded and impenetrable. That vista of the Bandon Valley can still be imagined today looking northwards from the golf course and in particular from the tenth and eleventh tee boxes. The Normans subsequently arrived, bringing with them stone building skills. From a base at Kilmacsimon they advanced westward and built a tower house at Cloughmacsimon. Some historians claim that this was the first permanent construction on the site of present day Castle Bernard. The townland on which the golf course currently sits was known as Middle Gully. An old record of 1301 demonstrates Norman ownership of that area. Then the inevitable happened and the Norman Barrys, Fitzgeralds and Roches etc became ‘more Irish than …….’ The whole area of west Cork, nowadays Carbery, then came to be dominated by the MacCarthy Reaghs of Kilbrittain Castle and the local O’Mahony clan. The latter held a large area slightly to the north of Bandon then known as the Kinelmeaky barony. This clan moved its centre to what is now Castle Bernard where they constructed a tower house around 1375. This was known for centuries thereafter as Castlemahon.
Castle Bernard; Rear View from the Lawrence Collection courtesy of the National Library of Ireland
For nearly three hundred years these old Gaelic clans held sway and continued their traditional way of life with the Brehon Laws somehow regulating their regular wars, cattle raids as well as their peculiar form of land ownership. Dramatic changes to the fortunes of these native Gaelic clans occurred quite suddenly following the defeat of the Desmonds (Fitzgeralds) and their allies the O’Mahonys in the Desmond rebellion of 1579-1583. By coincidence Fitzgerald and O’Mahony were allies here again in 2008 when they were, respectively, President and Captain
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of the club. Following the native defeat the Tudor government took a serious interest in the fertile lands of the local barony and began to introduce the first wave of English settlers on the confiscated lands. The settlers were for a while unsettled by the guerrilla tactics of O’Mahony clan chieftains but eventually gained the upper hand and a firm foothold after the battle of Kinsale in 1601. The present day golf club lands were first granted to Phane Beecher in 1587. Between 1628 and 1635 the castle and its demesne lands became the property of one Francis Bernard. A succession of Bernards, all named Francis, spectacularly advanced the family fortunes over the following century. They held parliamentary seats for county boroughs and more importantly held high office as judges – one, the so-called ‘Judge’ even becoming Solicitor General of Ireland in 1726. They also benefited from choosing the winning side in the Cromwellian and Williamite wars. Their main achievement was the assembly of a landed estate which extended to nearly 50,000 acres spread over 130 townlands at its peak. Their wealth and power was recognised when in 1793 a Francis Bernard was created Barron Bandon, in 1796 he was made Viscount Bandon and in 1800 made Viscount Bernard and Earl of Bandon, – the latter being a hereditary title which was extinguished, only on the death of the fifth Earl, in 1979. The creation of the Earldom like many others no doubt had something to do with the passing of the Act of Union in the same year!. “Castle Bernard” by Colette Mills courtesy of Mr Paddy O’Sullivan
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The castle itself was redesigned and rebuilt on a number of occasions. The first Francis must have extended the tower house prior to 1641 because in that year we know that he successfully defended it against MacCarthy Reagh in the rebellion of 1641-2. Then the second Francis ‘improved’ and extended the castle using brick construction for the first time. He was however, killed defending the castle against the troops loyal to James 11 who was then on his way from Kinsale to the Boyne in 1690. Irish soldiers who died attacking the castle were said to be buried in an old graveyard which lay somewhere just to the west of the present 12th tee. The third Francis known as ‘Judge’ further enlarged the castle using brick made in what is now the field immediately to the east of Baxter’s Bridge. The ‘Judge’ was succeeded by his son Francis who was known as Squire Bernard. He had extravagant tastes and the wealth to indulge it. He dismantled most of the castle front erected by his predecessors. He then built what was effectively a new castle to the east of and connected to the old O’Mahony ‘castle’. This is more or less how it appears today and the view from the extended golf course gives some appreciation of its scale and grandeur when completed in 1740. The lily ponds, ornamental gardens and of course estate walls (so beloved by many golfers on the first, third and ninth holes!) were also constructed by the Squire. He eventually fell out with the inhabitants of the town over minor matters and exiled himself forever to England but not before changing the name of the estate from Castlemahon to Castle Bernard.
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But fortunes change and the fourth Earl (1850-1924) presided over the dismantling of the majority of the estate when his tenants were allowed to purchase their freehold under the terms of the various Land Acts around the turn of the century. It was also his misfortune to see his castle burned in 1921. It now proudly remains, a bare and open monument defying the elements and the occasional rumour of restoration. The fourth and fifth Earls have been generous benefactors of the golf club. In 1909 the fourth Earl granted a lease for the establishment of the original 9 hole course. He died in 1924 and was succeeded by the fifth and last Earl, who was widely known here as ‘Paddy’ Bandon and in the RAF as the ‘Abandoned’ Earl. He spent his retirement locally having achieved the position of Air Chief Marshall in the RAF in 1964. In 1972 he granted a lease to the golf club which facilitated its extension to 18 holes. On his death in 1979 he was succeeded by his daughter Lady Jennifer Bernard who again came to the rescue of the club in 2001 when she granted a lease on further land. This facilitated the development of the beautifully landscaped 5th 6th and 7th holes directly in front of the old castle. This development has the benefit of considerably enhancing the golf course, whilst at the same time, bringing a view of the historic building to a wider and appreciative audience.
Castle Bernard Front View from the Lawrence Collection courtesy of the National Library of Ireland (top) and from the West(above)
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The First 100 Years
Paddy O’Flynn
The Minutes of the Club tell their tales Bandon Golf Club may be unique in having available to it, with few exceptions, the minutes of its foundation, committee meetings and annual general meetings from 1909 to the present day. Their content allows us, in our centenary year, to tell the story of the development and evolution of the game of golf in Bandon. They give us an insight into the establishment of what must have been a very basic course in 1909 right up to the high quality course and facilities we enjoy today. Major obstacles were encountered and overcome and these pages will, hopefully, make the current membership aware of and acknowledge their debt to its former officers and staff. The records also represent a social history of the changing times. It shows the transition from the founders and early membership which were almost exclusively drawn from the property owning and professional classes. Over the years this has changed to a position where the membership has become far more representative of a broader cross section of society. There is clear evidence that golf was played in Bandon as early as 1893 as shown by eminent golf historians such as Gibson and Menton. The club was mentioned in The Golfing Annual of 1893/94/95. However, affiliation to the GUI did not occur until later and 1909 is now agreed and accepted as the official date of its foundation.
The Right Honourable, the Fourth Earl of Bandon, President 1909-1924
The first volume of general committee minutes has appended to it a Greens Committee Book covering the period 1913 to 1925 and again from 1943 to 1947. The latter contains a meticulous archive in copperplate hand recording golf rules, handicaps, membership lists and draws for major competitions showing match winners by round up to completion. Belated tribute is due to a former Hon. Sec., Captain and President, the late Mr. Jim Neville who had the foresight to have the records for the first 42 years bound and presented to the club in 1953.
The Founding Fathers It is worth recording the founding minute in full: ‘A meeting was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday Nov 9th 1909. Mr Calnan in the chair to consider the possibility of starting a Golf Club in Bandon. After some discussion on the question of a suitable ground it was proposed to send a deputation to Earl Bandon to ask if he could help the club in any way and to report to the meeting. The deputation consisted of Mr J.J. Calnan, Mr. V. Taylor, Mr. Fossett. Mr. W. Foley, Dr. Reid, Mr H. Baldwin, Mr. P.N. Crew and Mr. T. Good (Hon. Secs. Pro tem).
J.J. Calnan, the founding Captain 1909-1917
It was proposed by Mr. V. Taylor and seconded by Mr. McGuire that the subscription to the proposed Golf Club be one Guinea for Gentlemen, 15/- for Ladies and two Guineas for a family ticket. This was put to the meeting and carried.
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The meeting was then adjourned to Friday the 12th Nov. at 5. p.m. in Town Hall’. The adjourned meeting was reconvened three days later with the Earl of Bandon ‘being thanked for his very generous offer of a ground for Bandon Golf Club and gratefully accepting the offer’ with Mr Calnan in the chair a proposal to appoint the following Gen. Committee was seconded and approved. President: Captain:
The Earl of Bandon. K.P. J.J. Calnan
Hon. Treasurer: Mr. W. B. Fossett Hon. Secretaries: Joseph Brennan Captain 1920, President 1933-1943
Committee:
P.N. Crew, T. Good. W. Foley, V. Taylor, H. Baldwin, J.F. Cronin, J.F. Walsh B.L., B.A. Turden, W. Creagh, Jos. Brennan, Dr Reid, H.McGuire, Rev. Kidd, W. McDonnell, H.S. Pearson, H.G. Johnston
Proposed by Mr. McGuire and seconded by Mr. Cronin that the President, Captain, Treasurer, Hon Secretary and three of the committee form a greens committee. The three members to be W. Foley, W. Creagh, V. Taylor This was put to the members and carried. In fact this was in effect the first annual general meeting of the club. From there on things seemed to move very quickly – ‘the committee to draw up rules --- and the subcommittee to layout the links and report to the general meeting fixed for Nov 18th,’ only six days later. We will consider later why matters were able to move so quickly. The first captain was J.J. Calnan who also chaired the first meetings of the club.
Tom Good Hon Sec 1909-1935 Captain 1940 President 1945, 1951, 1959
By December 10th some misunderstanding seemed to have arisen as to the exact fields his Lordship had intended to provide but this was quickly sorted as reflected in the following minute. ‘The sub-committee reported that they had again seen Earl Bandon and had walked round the links with him, he was quite willing to give the field (in dispute) above the road and said he would give the three fields in which it was proposed to lay out the links to Bandon Golf Club free of charge and that the club was at liberty to fence the greens in with wire. The sub committee also reported that the links were now laid out and it was proposed to notify to the members that the links were now open for play and as there would be considerable outlay before they could be put into good order the committee would be pleased if they would forward their subscriptions at once to the Treasurer.’ This was the exact area of ground over which golf was played up to its extension to 18 holes in 1974. A further meeting clarified the fact that while the links were ‘laid out no greens should be laid down for the present but to put the existing ones into as good an order as possible’. The speed at which the course was laid out suggests that a rudimentary layout already existed due to earlier efforts to play golf there. On the other hand golf courses then seemed to have been constructed almost overnight as reported by the ‘Irish Tourist’ of 1902 which reported ‘not very long ago ten warships ran into Castletown (Bearhaven) --- it was resolved to form a golf club and that a
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match should be played at two o’clock the next day ….. a committee was formed ….. met …. and sent ashore a sub-committee to …. select a suitable site for a nine hole course …. each ship providing a battalion to ….. finish, fit to play one green and one teeing ground…. and play was begun at two o’clock precisely’ on the following day! Could it be that the garrison at Bandon was similarly engaged at Castle Bernard? Some biographical detail on the ‘founding fathers’ may be of interest. The first chairman and Captain JJ Calnan was a JP and together with Wm Foley, the Earl of Bandon and others was co-owner and director of the Bandon Hosiery Company. J.J. Calnan’s son and grandson went on to become captains of the club in 1923 and 1957 respectively. W.B. Fossett, the first Hon. Treasurer was county Inspector of Constabulary whilst Tom Good owned a large hardware and farm supply business in the South Main Street. H.G. Johnston was Headmaster of Bandon Grammar School whilst Rev. R. Kidd was Church of Ireland curate of Ballymodan and Dr Reid was the local G.P.. H.G. Pearson was an accountant with the Provincial Bank. Joseph Brennan was, even by today’s standards, a major industrialist and innovator. He founded the West Cork Bottling Co. and the ‘Little Norah’ brand, had a large milling and bakery company and even generated his own electricity by means of a weir on the river opposite Weir Street. John Walsh was a JP who was elected an MP for Cork South in 1910, standing as an Independent Nationalist (O’Brienite). He continued to hold the seat until 1918 when it was taken by Michael Collins in the Sinn Fein landslide election of that year. He lived at Shannon lodge and is remembered in the Club for the Walsh cup which he donated in 1914. His daughter was Bessie Walsh who is still remembered today, having an annual ladies competition in her name.
Thomas Brennan Captain 1925, 1936 President 1944
Permanent Golf At Last Progress continued – as ‘early January it was decided to invest in wicket gates and a lawnmower and advertise for a Professional and Greenkeeper’ – one position. An admirably ambitious start. The following note of Feb. 10th 1910 indicates the outcome ‘Letters were read from several Professionals and it was agreed to engage James McKillop from the Portmarnock Club at the weekly wage of 12/- and to pay his fare to Bandon to be engaged from the 1st day of March 1910. The Hon. Secs were requested to obtain estimates for a small Club Pavilion and to lay same before the General Committee’. By March 10th plans for the pavilion were agreed at a cost of £32.10.0. but the first financial strains are probably reflected in the following record ‘It was decided to send a note to members who had not paid their subscriptions drawing their attention to rule’. That the golf course continued to be grazed is proved by the following item from the minutes of May 2nd 1910. ‘It was proposed by Mr. Foley and seconded by Mr. McGuire that the club pay £1 and Mr. Murphy 10/- towards the cost of the lamb killed by Mr. Murphy. As it is the first accident of any kind, a notice be put up that any member who does any damage will be held responsible. In this case the committee were quite satisfied that it was a pure accident.’ The final comment unwittingly or otherwise suggests that darker motives were considered – we learn later that Murphy was a groundsman. Later again we learn that the greens committee decided to ‘remake five new tees and that Murphy be employed….provided they don’t take more than six weeks’!.
R.S. Walsh Captain 1926 President 1946
The minutes of the same meeting make first reference to lady members ‘ that if the ladies wished to play for a medal to solicit a day other from a Friday or Sunday’
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By June of that year several issues regarding the condition of the course arose. The committee failed to obtain permission to cut the fairways and it was decided that from June the monthly medal be postponed. Presumably the arrangements with the estate were such that the estate’s income from summer grazing took precedence over golf. In August a deputation was sent to the Earl ‘requesting him to allow the club to cut the grass ---and offer compensation--- not to exceed £20’- if necessary. In Sept the Earl agreed to allow the club to cut the grass until Jan 1st for the sum of £20. As the club had only ‘a few shilling’ members were asked to advance their subscriptions for 1911. This apparently did not meet with the agreement of the members and J.J. Calnan made a personal loan of £20 to the club. The Annual General Meeting was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday Jan 10th 1911 with Mr. J.J. Calnan J.P. in the Chair. ‘It was proposed by Mr. J.J. Calnan and seconded by Mr. N.S. Johnston that the Earl of Bandon be elected President for the year. The following officers and committee were also elected. Captain:
J.J. Calnan J.P.
Hon. Treasurer:
W.W. B Fossett C.I., Q.I.C.
Hon. Secretaries:
E.N.Crew, Thomas Good
Committee:
W. Foley, H.G. Johnston B.A., J. Reid M.D, J.F. Weld B.L. T.H. Bamfield, P.H.Harte, W. Creagh, R.T. Godley, H.S. Pearson, Joseph Brennan, H.R. Baldwin, M. Quinlan, H.A. McGuire, F.J. McGovern’
Two items then dominated the club for the next few years – its finances and the terms of its tenancy with the Earl of Bandon. On the finances two items stand out. Firstly, the appointment of a subcommittee on Jan 10th 1911 to arrange a fund raising bazaar with ‘the ladies being asked especially to consider arranging’. A meeting of May 14th indicates that this event was a considerable success having netted £90 - a very large sum in those days. Nevertheless on May 8th the following extract shows that other economy measures were being taken’. Surprisingly ‘It was proposed by Mr. McGovern and seconded by Mr. Pearson that Mr. McKillop be given three months notice as the club was not in a financial position to retain his services’. This proposal was not executed, as there is evidence that he continued to work at the club until 1915. The PGA archives show that he later held similar positions at Waterford and Carrick-onShannon. The question of the conditions of the tenancy was bedevilled by the continuing problem of cattle and sheep grazing and the consequent wiring off of the greens. It was to take many years, not alone at Bandon but elsewhere to realize that animal grazing and golf are incompatible. In March 1911 the club sought to ascertain from the Earl ‘what terms he would be agreeable to give to the club with or without grazing’. By Jan 3rd 1912 the Earl stated he would accept £25 for a 12 month tenancy but this appears not to have excluded grazing as a deputation was sent to the Earl offering £25 but without the Earl having grazing rights. In July of that year the Earl stated that as the golf club had not accepted his offer he would not allow golf to be played after the following March. Faced with this ultimatum the club drew up an agreement on the sum of £25 per annum - the minute is silent on the grazing question which seems to have continued. The fairways were cut only twice that year and teeing up was obviously employed. That the club quietly attempted to circumvent the worst of the situation is clear from the following footnote which appears in the minutes of a much later AGM. (1916) ‘that the steward of cattle get 10/- as a Christmas box to keep cattle off the links as much as possible’!!
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In August 1912 there were 51 full members and their handicap details and playing results are recorded. From here on relationships seem to have improved, bunkers were being built, a horse drawn lawn mower was purchased (£23.5.0.) and ‘Murphy the groundsman asked to cut the greens on Sunday mornings in consideration of an extra shilling a week making 13/-‘ There are three items of interest from the minutes of 1913. Subscriptions not paid after due date to be put in the hands of the solicitor for collection, the cost of construction of a new green was £7 and Mr John Walsh put up his cup to be played for by the lady members. The J.J. Calnan cup was first presented on May 11th 1914. An interclub challenge match – the first in the history of the club was arranged when Douglas was invited ‘to come down for a match on Thursday 22nd of Oct (1914) to bring 12 players and to be there 1.30 o’clock sharp’ Following a meeting, in March 1916 Lord Bandon agreed to reduce the rent to £15 per annum for 1915 and 1916. At a meeting on March 24th 1916 ‘it was decided to write to Clonakilty to say we cannot play our match against them here on Easter Monday but could manage to play on any Wednesday’… Clonakilty then played its golf at Inchydoney. In 1919, the troops of the Linconshire Hussars stationed at Bandon played on the course and £7 was presented to the club by their commander, Col. Tandy and his officers. In March 1919 a letter was received from RW Doherty agent for Lord Bandon applying for £25 rent for the ensuing season. A deputation subsequently received a reduction of £5. An offer of a golf professional for a period of 6 weeks from the Golfing Union was accepted and a scale of fees for coaching and playing 9 or 18 holes was agreed. The professional involved was not named but obviously McKillop had by now departed. A minute of June 20th 1919 provides a good example of the conditions of the fairways at that time ‘the Sec. to write to Murphy--- instructing him to repair wire around the 5th green, remove cow droppings from around the greens and cut tufts of grass on the approaches to the greens.’
Troubled Times The period 1920 to 1921 witnessed the War of Independence and the golf club and its local area did not escape its consequences. The minutes of the club reflect the situation. On Feb 4th 1920 the club elected to membership, on the proposition of T.W.Pim, an agent of the Bank of Ireland, seconded by A. Brett none other than the notorious Major Percival. Major Percival is remembered locally for the ruthless campaign of violence and atrocities committed by his battalion of the Essex Regiment around the Bandon area. Much later in 1942 as Lt. General Percival he achieved further notoriety and ignomy in Singapore when surrendering a demoralised British army of 90,000 men to a much smaller Japanese force. In Bandon the event was celebrated with delicious irony when the newly built housing estate at Clancool was nicknamed ‘Singapore’. An amusing minute of Feb 23rd 1920 suggested that ‘the secretaries write for prices for a set of boots for a horse’. These boots, also called slippers, were large metal plates attached to the horseshoes and used to protect greens and fairways from damage when horses drew mowing
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machines. In latter years these would be fitted by Del Collins the local blacksmith at Old Chapel ‘but only after he had been stood three pints in the Ash Tree’ At this time entries to gentleman’s competition numbered around thirty and ladies around twenty members. Interestingly, the membership now included two members of the roman catholic clergy. The entire competitions were at that time played out over a short period of 2-3 weeks. A meeting of May 29th 1922 recorded the following; ‘The meeting was called to discuss the question of the burning of the Pavilion and rebuilding same. After discussion the following resolutions were carried unanimously. ‘Proposed by T. Good and seconded by J.O’Hea that the club apply to the Insurance company for full amount of policy and leave question of malice alone for the present’
From the Doherty Papers. By kind permission of the Cork City & County Archives.
It is not clear from the foregoing whether the 'malice’ referred to was personal or part of the republican campaign then being waged. Douglas Golf Club had been burned down a few days earlier and at that time golf club membership was probably seen as part of a political establishment which was the target of the ongoing IRA campaign. The castle itself was burned down about two months later and the fourth Earl of Bandon taken hostage. He was returned unharmed on July 12th by which time initial contacts leading to a truce had begun and a number of IRA prisoners were reprieved of the death penalty. Despite being awarded £123,000 compensation the castle was never rebuilt. Immediately after this period of turmoil a tennis club was formed and was the subject of much discussion, proposal and counter proposal over very many years. The flavour of the early relationship between the golf and tennis clubs can be gleaned from the following extracts from minutes.
A ‘Golf Tennis Club’ At an extraordinary general meeting held in 1923 the following resolution was passed ‘That this club proceed to form a tennis club within it’s membership’ – to be called the “Golf Tennis club” However, by March 1926 the Golf Tennis Club sought ‘a release from the condition restricting membership to members of the golf club’ after some discussion the following rather carefully worded options were given to the Tennis club. (1)Membership unrestricted provide that an extra subscription of 10/- per member (or £1.0.0 per family) be charged to all non-members of the Golf Club and that the extra subscription be handed to the Golf Club in lieu of rent.
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Or, (2)Membership unrestricted, provided that the Golf Club be paid £5.0.0 per annum rents for courts and that an entrance to the courts from the road without crossing the links should be constructed. A deputation from the ‘Golf Tennis’ Club later succeeded in having the yearly subscription and rent options halved. Later still in March 1927 the ‘Golf Tennis’ club was informed that the terms of the Golf Clubs’ own lease forbade it subletting thus leaving only the first option on the table. How the matter was eventually sorted is unclear as we find the Tennis club continued to be levied with a rent of £5.pa for many years thereafter. As can be imagined little of note happened on the sporting front in the 1922-24 period. However, in 1923 a new local rule was introduced and read as follows ‘a ball may be lifted out of animal dropping cleaned and dropped without penalty.’ During 1925-26 the minutes give a summary of negotiations leading to the granting of a 21 year lease on the course and at last some security of tenure for the golf club. It should be noted that the fourth Earl had died in 1924 and that the new arrangement was put in place during the early tenure of the fifth earl. The latter then began a distinguished career in the newly formed RAF where he was known as the ‘Abandoned Earl’. Locally known as ‘Paddy Bandon’ he became a genuine supporter of the golf club over many the years of its development as we will see later on. Despite a satisfactory outcome the negotiations took almost two years to conclude.
The Right Honourable, the Fifth Earl of Bandon President 1925-1932
The negotiations began with an offer by the club for the ‘grazing rights’ at £45 pa – an offer later raised to £60pa. subject ‘to the necessary fencing being done by the landlord’. This offer was rejected. The landlord instead offered a 21 year lease to the club. The club then decided on Jan 2nd 1926 ‘on the motion of R.S.Walsh that Lord Bandon should be asked if he would sell the land occupied by the club, and if so at what figure.’ It was subsequently reported ‘that Lord Bandon had declined to consider the matter of selling the Links to the Club’. Then the motion of Mr A. Beatt seconded by W. S. Hosford proposed that Lord Bandon’s offer of a lease for 21 years at £40. pa be accepted’ and an additional provision was made for the payment of rates thereon. The golf club then amazingly entered into a sub letting agreement apparently to recover most of its rental payment. We read ‘it was decided to grant grazing rights (sheep only) of the links to E. Forbes at a rental of £30. for eleven months.’ This arrangement continued on for years. The total membership numbers in 1926 were:- Gentlemen 60 and Ladies 38. During the years 1929 & 30 the minutes of the Annual General Meetings only are recorded. The officers elected for 1930 show many changes from the earlier years and were as follows:President:
The Earl of Bandon
Captain:
J. Murphy
Hon. Treasurer:
A. Beatt
Hon. Secretary:
T. Good
Committee:
W.S.Hosford, T. Brennan, J. Calnan, J.J. Clifton, E. Walsh, P. Quinlivan, W. Slattery.
Mr. Beatt was a sub agent of the Bank of Ireland and played a very active part in the club.
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John Curran Arrives In April 1930 the first of many references to J. Curran are found... ‘it was decided to write to J. Curran at St Anne’s, Dollymount, to know if he would come on same terms as last year’ This suggests that John had already been at the club as a temporary professional from the Golfing Union. He was soon to permanently join Bandon Golf club and serve for many years. At the 1931 annual general meeting J. F. Crotty replaced J. Murphy as captain and was the only change in officership. Mr Crotty was a District Justice for many years and is remembered for his sense of humour and his sense of fairness around West Cork. Two of his grandchildren – Jim O’Driscoll and Lucy O’Mahony have respectively been captain and lady captain of the club. In the same year we find the first mention of E.T. Callanan’s name when his handicap was reduced to 9 ‘as he was 10 in Douglas’ - another gentleman who was to give sterling service to the club up to recent memory. This colourful character interrupted his medical studies and Fitsgibbon and Sigerson Cup exploits to play an active part in the war of independence. He later played football for Cork and raced greyhounds at Clounana and sometimes ‘even on the third and sixth fairways’ at Bandon. In 1931 following a written complaint regarding the physical condition of the club’s horse, the general committee decided to send the following rather direct reply… ‘I am advised to say that it was decided no notice be taken of your communication...’ That year also the committee agreed to sign a guarantee for the sum of £60 to the Bank of Ireland as security for an overdraft - apparently the first time the club sought a bank loan. A significant change occurred at the 1933 AGM when the position of President which had been held by Lord Bandon since the formation of the club was taken by Joseph Brennan with the Earl moving to the position of Patron. In that year also the number of gentlemen members had reached 69 and interestingly 44 of them had handicaps of 20-28 and only 2 players in single figures - J Calnan, 8 and Fr. P. Henchy, 9. The club also decided to employ Jim Mills, uncle of the present member, Noel, as an assistant to J Curran with the former to be paid 10/- and the latter 40/- per week. This means that John Curran became a full time employee of the club sometime around 1931-32 J. Curran, J. O’Brien, T.J. Mehigan, T. Quill, 1949
In 1934 a major open competition was held in May with named officials on a duty roster from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm, and John Curran doing the catering – lunch 2/6, tea 1/0. Subsequently ‘J Curran was given 20/- for trouble over the open meeting and to have the club pay for drinks consumed on the day’ At the beginning of the second quarter of the clubs history the following were the principle officers for 1935.
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President:
Joseph Brennan
Captain:
John Boushel
Hon. Treasurer:
H. G. M. O’Neill
Hon. Secretary:
Thos. Good
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At a later meeting that year ‘a new Local Rule was made allowing players to drop out of rabbit scrapes on fairway where a club could be laid across in any direction without touching the ball’ Any wonder why the average handicaps had been so high! ‘Two incidences worthy of note occurred on the links during the month of August that year. Mr. John Curran, professional holed out for a 2 at the 9th i.e. an eagle (now 15th). Mr Edward Rice drove a ball about 70 yards beyond the bunker on the same hole and when the shot was measured it proved to be 332 yds. John Curran was not alone a professional golfer and member of the P.G.A but at Bandon he was responsible for many other duties e.g. green keeping, bar, catering and competition entry. He was a very fine golfer and no doubt kept himself well tuned as the following minute from Nov 17th 1937 implies. ‘There was a good deal of discussion about John Curran playing so much in four balls during the day and it was decided he was only to do so on Sundays and Thursday afternoon and after six o’clock’. It is believed that he took this directive with the usual respect! The only item of note from 1938 was surprisingly ‘It was unanimously decided not to have any intoxicating liquor at the open meeting’. It seems US style prohibition had reached Bandon. The committee of that year could prove to be both sympathetic and decisive. For example, in dealing with a letter from an employee seeking a wage increase ‘they were very sympathetic --could not pay any more wages and would recommend him to look for another job as his prospects of an increase from the club were nil’ The years 1939 and 1940 were notable for the establishment of an elaborate set of rules governing the bar opening hours following registration under the Club Acts. Another feature was a rapid increase in the intake of new members and a significant reduction in handicaps as the course improved. Juvenile members in 1940 included Marjorie and Jack O’Regan, Jack having joined in 1937, surely making him one of the longest serving members. At the Annual General Meeting of Jan 28th 1941 it was decided to seek a reduction in the annual rent. This was successfully achieved and the minute of Sept 12th that year quaintly and respectfully states ‘It was learned with great pleasure that the annual rent had been reduced by £10 by the kindness of Lord Bandon’
Wartime Golf A general committee meeting minute of April 6th 1943 reflects the straitened financial circumstances of wartime ‘It was decided to issue an appeal to members to hand in old balls for remoulding’ In March 1945 the committee, unbelievably,... ‘decided to issue balls for hire. In event of loss 3/- to be paid’- WW2 for you! It is no surprise that the matter of the purchase of a new horse and a lavatory installation were proposed but failed to get a seconder. At the Annual General Meeting of Jan 18th 1944 the question of electing a patron was again raised and Joseph Brennan was nominated to the position. Other officers were:-
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Stocktaking in the old days - no computer required!
President:
T. Brennan
Captain:
D. Fitzgibbon
Hon. Treasurer:
J.N Barton
Hon. Secretary:
J. Neville
Hon. Comp. Secretary: N.C Manseragh In 1945, the Greens Committee agreed to put up a cup for all those with handicaps of 20 and above – to be known as the ‘Twenties Cup’ and was donated by Wm. Slattery. The latter is remembered for his establishment of the first major motor dealership in the town. The golf ball scarcity got worse – golf balls rationed! ‘each member playing in the Quinlivan Cup be entitled to purchase a new ball at standard price’. In Sept 1945 ‘it was decided that an issue of Dunlop 65 and Dunlop Standard golf balls would be made to all competitors in the Auction Sweep ---the pre war prices of 2/6 and 2/- respectively to be charged’ -- a lot of money when it is considered that the average wage then was about ---£1 per week. Up to the late 1950s the use of caddies by members was commonplace and the rules and procedures regarding their services were tightly regulated. A minute of the greens committee held in 1944 illustrates the point. ‘it was decided that in future there was to be no booking of caddies. They could only be engaged on the grounds of the Golf Links just before going out to play. The rate of pay was to be 1/- for any number of holes up to 18 for ordinary games. All competition 1/6. If a caddy carried two bags, each player to pay him 1/- No member was in future to offer caddy money for finding a lost ball. He should report the loss to the Professional, giving him particulars of the ball and position where lost, and could be purchased from him if found.’ Despite the above it is a verifiable fact- that not alone did caddies sell lost balls to golfers but in some instances went as far as selling the golfer the odd golf ball taken from his golf bag.! In April 1946 the following generous offer is found in the minutes ‘owing to the difficulties of their club it is decided to invite all members of Inchydoney links to become Honorary members until the end of the present year’. The old links had been used for the growing of flax during world war two and has remained in agricultural use ever since. The Handicap listing for 1947 includes well known Clonakilty players - Spiller, Houlihan, Neville, Blewitt, Mullin and O’Donoghue.
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Old Clubhouse There now began a rolling discussion over many years on the condition of the old club house and proposals for its refurbishment. On April 25th 1947 Wm. Slattery offered to put up a Ford V8 as a prize for a sweep for the purpose of raising funds for a new club house. The discussion was adjourned and adjourned yet again while advertisements were to be placed for a Nissen or similar type hut as an alternative. Thus began the long gestation of what was to beget the ‘new’ clubhouse in its present position in 1966. In June 1947 a sweep of 300 by £1 tickets subdivided into four 5/- shares was planned and the erection of the Nissen hut agreed. The outline of this can still be viewed today in the green keeper’s yard. This decision did not provide a satisfactory outcome. The problems of procurement, erection and then the decision as what exactly it was to be used for took up the business of several committee meetings. Its utilisation was fraught with argument at many committee meetings and the 1948 AGM. It eventually ended up as a General Room – whatever that meant.
Interest free loan receipt - 1948
In 1947 it was decided to enter a team in the County League. The first recorded team to represent the club was as follows: Messrs M.V. Brady, E.T. Callanan, P. D. Mullins, P. Lucey, P. Downing, J. Quill and P. Hegarty with J. Neville, T.D. Healy and J. M. Sherwin as replacements. At this time the Tennis Club paid a rent of £6. per annum. That year also for the first time a poll tax levy of 2/- per member was levied by the G.U.I. In 1948, the club for the first time, considered mechanisation of course maintenance. These discussions were excruciating but also give an amazing insight into the dawning of the tractor era and the demise of horse power. In 1948 careful and protracted consideration was being given to the purchase of a gang mower and ‘a Jeep suitable for pulling a gang mower was to be had at Messrs Lowneys, Clonakilty..’ In the end the gang mower was purchased, the purchase of a Jeep at £50 deferred in favour of hiring a tractor. This discussion was again deferred in favour of purchasing a tractor. This immediately led to a decision to fund it by ‘a free of interest loan in units of £1 be raised from the members---reducible by draw in such amounts as the committee shall from time to time decide…’ A sum of £251 was raised from 29 members in amounts ranging from £1 -£25. The purchase of the tractor also led to the sale of the club’s pony to Johnny Curran but not without some confusion as the animal appears to have been sold twice – so much for Committees and horses!
Standing: Joe Brennan, EdwardO’Driscoll, Jack Hegarty, Seated: PJ McDonald, Dr Pat O’Driscoll, P Downing, John Quill outside the old clubhouse c. 1950
The position of Patron of the club had been filled by Lord Bandon until the mid 1930s after which it lapsed until reintroduced in 1944 when Joseph Brennan was elected to the position. After the death of the latter in 1948 the position was abolished by the 1949 AGM on the proposal of Dr E.T. Callanan and seconded by R.S. Walsh. However the old guard were quickly off the mark and had Lord Bandon elected as an Honorary Life Member at the same AGM. That year also it was proposed to have a telephone installed but a deposit of £24.10.0 was considered excessive and an offer of £10.0.0 was to be made to Dept. of Posts and Telegraphs.
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Early in 1950 a deposit of £13. was agreed. That same meeting also agreed the following regarding the National Ploughing Championship which was held in the showgrounds. ‘It was agreed that permission would be granted to cross the top field on the day ….. it was decided to cover the ….. greens with branches to prevent people from walking over them …. And that the general room of the club pavilion be given to the ploughing committee for the reception of the President of Ireland…’ The event was attended by President Sean T. O’Kelly on a day which was one of the wettest ever seen.
L-R: Mrs. J.V. McDonald, Mrs. J. O’Sullivan, Mrs. T. Good and Mrs. Glancy. Seated in front is Mrs. A. O’Driscoll (Lady Captain) 1957.
The following minute suggests that little tennis was now being played and the ‘Golf Tennis’ club was written to about ‘their intentions as regards carrying on a Tennis Club. Failing a reply –it is the intention of the Committee to take over the Tennis Courts and Pavilion’ No response was forthcoming. Unfortunately the minutes of the golf club for that period are missing and the outcome of the above discussion is unknown. The 48th Annual General meeting was held on Jan 29th 1956. Officers elected were :President:
Dr. T.A. Neville
Captain:
Joe Shorten
Hon. Treasurer:
Fr. Slattery
Hon. Secretary:
K. D’Arcy
Hon. Comp. Secretary: J. Calnan That year electricity was connected up to the pavilion for the first time. As a result of complaints regarding the inaccessibility of the bar during the week it was decided to issue keys to seven named officers – a decision which after a while, not surprisingly, resulted in ‘stock discrepancies’. This situation was not helped by the fact that in July of that year the Hon. Sec. reported ‘that money for the bar and money for golf balls, cigarettes etc’ – all went into the same box. This was to be rectified by John Curran but it was simultaneously ‘decided also that keys for the bar should be available to all other members who might wish to have them’. For many years thereafter, the minutes are littered with proposals and actions to manage and control the ‘stock’.
Joe Shorten winner of the Brennan Cup in 1946
In a year of such momentous and dynamic decision making two further items probably deserve a mention. Firstly ‘it was decided after all not to have sheep on the course as whatever money received for the grazing would be more than offset by their nuisance value’ Secondly ‘it was suggested getting the ESB man working in the area to dynamite the tree stumps alongside the wall bounding the first and sixth fairways’. How the ‘ESB man’ avoided blowing up the wall is not known but obviously it somehow escaped this attack. On a more serious note the condition of the clubhouse came in for more discussion. The Committee members ‘experienced no trouble in putting their respective feet through it’- the floor of the lounge. Maintenance and renovation costs escalated and eventually cost £248.18.7 for the year. However, the social side of the club at that time was enhanced by the purchase of a new piano. The social side of the club in those years is something that is envied today. At the AGM of 1957 the position of Trustees was first mentioned and it was agreed that Mr. J. Neville and Mr T. Good be appointed for a period of five years. At the same meeting J.
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Neville reported that he had all the old minutes bound but that they had been removed from the club – fortunately they were returned and secured much to our benefit today. During 1957, the Men’s West Cork Shield was inaugurated and involved considerable discussion and negotiation with the other clubs involved. A flavour of the process can be had from the following extracts ‘the blueprint of the shield had been seen (by hon. sec.) and was being made by Messrs Egan’s of Cork at an approximate cost of £30’. The competition was to be run off in two sections to minimise travel but this never received unanimous approval. Matters are little changed today! One of the highlights of the minutes for 1958 regarded a petty dispute over a turkey won in the Christmas competition. The winner of a turkey refused to take the bird home as he regarded it ‘as too small’ and ‘left it in the club house as a protest’. The Competition Sec said that the turkeys ordered were to average 11 lbs each but ‘as one prize winner took a 15 lb hen turkey…..meant that some other prize winners would have to get a smaller bird.’ How this crisis was resolved is, sadly unknown. 1959 was the Golden Jubilee year and for the occasion Mr Tom Good, a founder member was unanimously elected President. On Dec 10th that year the Golden Jubilee Dinner was held at Inchydoney Hotel and attended by 87 members, male and female. A particular feature of that years AGM was that in addition to the elected officers the remaining members of the general committee were elected on the basis of attendance at committee meetings in the previous year. During this period also one of the major competitions of the year was the auction sweep. Many members today will not know that a local auctioneer, Sean O’Reilly, in 1960 for example, auctioned off each entrant; the price achieved being a reflection of the chances of the odds of the auctioned player winning the competition. The player could, buy himself and was also entitled to buy 50% of himself from his first buyer. There then followed the usual flag competition and betting.
John O’Connell with Jim McKenna outside old Club House in July 1958
During 1959 -60, John Curran had now reached the age of 70 and was still responsible for everything. It is no surprise that he was struggling somewhat with all his duties not helped no doubt when we find that ‘the old tractor’ had ‘a new engine but the tyres were bald and there was no battery’, according to a meeting July 1959. Later in Sept we read that ‘when a battery is required one is to be hired, the hire of same to be left to the Course Officer!. The condition of the fairways can be gauged from the following comment as late as May 1960 – ‘it was agreed that teeing up on the fairways be discontinued’. As late as Sept that year we find that the second prize winner of the Presidents prize was disqualified for not having paid his annual subscription. In Oct 1960, Dr E.T Callanan stated to the committee ‘that he had a piano tested by Mr. Downing who considered it good’ but ‘was immediately taken back by the Firm who sent a dud piano to the club instead’. Also in 1960 the now familiar rule regarding turkey handicaps was first introduced –‘any member with a handicap of ten (10) or over winning a turkey competition is automatically reduced by two (2) shots for future turkey competitions and if under ten (10) by one shot. The EGM of 1961 witnessed the unusual event of the election of a husband and wife team as captain and lady captain for that year – Dr. M.J. and Mrs B. Glancy, both of whom gave long and distinguished service to the club.
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In 1961 also, the Hon Sec was ‘instructed to get an estimate for the instillation of fresh water in the club house – a hand pump was subsequently installed - the ladies committee would help financially’ – still no running water in the pavilion.
John Curran from a portrait in the clubhouse bar.
That year the tennis club ‘requested permission to extend their plot in order to build a second hard court’ – The decision was deferred but later agreed. That year also terms were agreed for the resignation of Johnny Curran after nearly 30 years of honourable service during the formative and developing years of the club. We know that Johnny Curran, though retired, was still giving advice on course matters and taking competition entries well into 1963. For his efforts he was rewarded with an honorarium of £5 and a subscription list opened to allow members to contribute towards a Christmas box for him. John Curran passed away in late 1964 and his son later presented a portrait of John to the club – that portrait, seen here, now hangs in the clubhouse lounge
Golf in the Sixties.
Dr Michael Glancy, Mrs Bunny Glancy, G.H. Spiller
A replacement professional was not immediately appointed but it is very clear from the minutes that a young Jimmy Mills was encouraged over many months to take up the professional role. Jim had worked alongside Curran since boyhood and was familiar with all aspects of the role. Eventually he accepted the position and occupied it for a few years from 1965-67. He remembers that the prospect of cutting nine greens by hand mower before 9.0am on Sunday morning did not fill him with enthusiasm so he resigned and applied to the R & A for reinstatement as an amateur which was granted after a two year probationary period. He now proudly claims to hold course records for the original nine hole courses at both Bandon and Macroom shooting 66 strokes at each. A new ‘grounds man’ Tom Finn was appointed but within two months we read that the ‘Hon Sec ---write to Tom Finn to get rid of the alsation bitch and pups within one week as the committee felt he had been well accommodated since June’. It gets even more strange when we read ‘it was decided to provide the ladies with a blackboard in exchange for the use of their kettle’. The turkey competition winners for that autumn again caused controversy. Apparently the main competition was a fourball which ended in a tie with the winners being declared on the result of the last six holes. However, this result was challenged and debated at three successive general committee meetings which finally decided on a replay being ordered by the committee after ‘a lengthy and disorderly debate’ The long serving and distinguished Hon. Competitions Sec P.J.McKenna resigned his position for a period during this encounter.
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A 1963 photo of members in the old clubhouse at J. O’Regan’s Captain’s Prize. BACK ROW: Jimmy Colman, Gerard O’Driscoll, Paddy Downing, Fred Lynch, Pat Phelan, Teddy Poland, P.J. Aherne, Joe Shorten, Jim Bunne (B.of I.) 3RD ROW: Emmett O’Regan, Joe McSweeney, Michael Lyons, Michael Reale, Ted Hegarty, Tom Creed (M&L), Dr. Glaney, Michael Lyons (Clonakilty). 2ND ROW: Liam O’Donovan, Teddy O’Leary, Paddy Gallagher, Doney Maloney, Jim McKenna, Fr. Charlie O’Connor, Jim Scully (M&L), Tom Brennan, SEATED: Denis O’Keeffe, P.J. Leahy (M&L), John O’Brien, Pat McKenna, Jack O’Regan, E.T. Callanan
The AGM of 1962 was notable for taking a decision to substantially increase annual subscription as follows ‘men from £4.4.0. to £5.5.0 and ladies (associates) from £3. to £4. How would members today feel about increases of 20-25%?. That year the committee decided that ‘provision of a TV set would not be justified in the circumstances’ whatever that statement was meant to convey. The club’s financial situation became very tight during 1963 particularly as a result of decisions to purchase a tractor and install running water to the club house for the first time. Up to then the golf club had banked with Bank of Ireland but as that bank then refused to increase its accommodation limit from £400 to £600 the account was transferred to the Munster and Leinster Bank which obviously obliged. Among full members accepted for membership that year were two well known golfers and stalwart club representatives – Con and Michael Tobin. The official list of caddies that year included Noel Mills, Alphonsus O’Donovan and John Coughlan.
THE OLD CLUBHOUSE
The 1964 Captain, Mr. Ed O’Driscoll, got permission from the General Committee to make ‘enquiries regarding the feasibility of sand bunkers’ Sand bunkers were actually introduced later that year and Greens Committee meetings in October and November include very detailed alterations to every hole on the course.
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These alterations coincided with the introduction of GUI inspections for the purpose of setting a Standard Scratch Score for the first time. In 1965 the GUI declared that any club holding an Auction Sweep after 1966 would not be admitted to the Union – Auction sweeps had by now become large gambling events. Subscriptions were again increased by 20-25% and nobody seemed too concerned. The ‘Golfer of the Year’ was introduced and also a watering system provided to all greens.
Committee 1966 Back Row: Fred Lynch, Eugene Callanan, Ted Poland, Mick Tobin, Joe Shorten, Bill Sheane. Front Row: Sean Gill, Tom Brennan, Michael Glancy, Jerry Calnan, Ted Hegarty
The first rumblings of an idea to construct a new pavilion arose from a discussion on the breaking into and a larceny from the old clubhouse which by now had become rundown and inadequate. In June 1966 Joe Shorten proposed and it was agreed ‘to set up a sub-committee to look into the purchasing of a site for a new club house’. That sub committee was subsequently appointed and consisted of the following:- Ml. Glancy, T.H. Brennan, H F Lynch, J. Shorten and S. Gill. Simultaneously, the lease on the course expired and the club decided that the purchase of the freehold may be possible. Exciting times, especially when one considers that the clubs finances had been run on more or less a breakeven basis up to then. But that General Committee did not lack ambition or imagination. The approach to fundraising is worth recording ‘The House to look into the legal requirements for the holding of a draw with tickets £1 each and prize money totalling £200’. This question was further debated and T. Hegarty offered the sum of £50 towards the building fund, the Hon. Sec (S. Gill) a similar sum and eventually £600 was raised through subscriptions from the members of the committee alone. It was decided to hold weekly competitions for prizes to be donated by the members of the Committee and other members----- not a bad start. It should be remembered that £1 in 1966 is the equivalent of €20 today(CSO). Nowhere in the minutes can an estimate of the building costs or freehold purchase be found. On the question of the freehold however, a prudent decision was taken when it was decided that ‘a new long term lease would be more desirable’.
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In 1966 the committee ‘paid tribute to the outstanding work of Mr Denis O’Keeffe ---- acting as Hon Treasurer and Competition secretary ----and made him a presentation on his departure to Fermoy on promotion’ As many will be aware Denis returned to Bandon and continued to give trojan service and was elected an Honorary Life Member in 1987. A General Committee meeting in November 1966, also honoured Dr. E.T. Callanan (Nudge) by electing him an Honorary Life Member and agreeing that he be ‘presented with a gold medal suitably inscribed, as recognition of his outstanding service and loyalty to the club’ The same meeting inaugurated the annual presentation of mementos to the outgoing Presidents and Captains. A few interesting items are seen in the minutes late in 1966 – the first was a proposal that the club be run by subcommittees for Building, Finance, Competition and Bar – there were none up to now but the proposal was flatly rejected. The second was that General Committee meetings take place on the Mondays after the Men’s Confraternity - How many people today would know what that was about?
New Club House and 18 Hole Course Early in 1967 the renewal of the lease was agreed after meetings with Lord Bandon. The January minutes report ‘a more than satisfactory outcome’ ‘Lord Bandon would give us any accommodation we asked to build a new clubhouse... Lord Bandon also offered to give extra land to extend the course. There was no question of selling any land to us’ The actual terms of the lease were to be negotiated by the respective legal teams. That Committee meeting went on to consider an appropriate location for an extra 9 holes and an estimate of the development costs for each hole was given as £300 - £350. While a final location for the new club house was being debated a proposal was made by T.H. Brennan that... ‘the golf club take over the Tennis Club, lock, stock and barrel’. Apparently the grass courts were run down at the time and it may be that the golf club felt the area would be a suitable location for a replacement clubhouse and parking area. In any case a deputation from the tennis club not alone convinced the golf club not to go ahead with the proposal but actually received a promise of help from the golf green keeper in maintaining the courts. During the latter part of 1967 the General Committee was preoccupied by two important and interconnected items, firstly, the extension of the lease on both the existing 9 hole course and the additional land for its extension to 18 holes, secondly, the use of that lease as collateral for the bank to raise the necessary funds to construct the proposed new club house and develop the new course. These matters were concluded at an Extraordinary General meeting held on Dec 20th 1967 presided over by Michael J Mehigan. This proved to be a watershed for the club. The terms of the proposed new lease were as follows – (a) The area leased to be all the present holding of 49 acres plus the field to the west of the 7th hole (today 12th, 13th and 14th.) approx 14 acres and the 9.25 acres on the other side of the road called the ‘Laurels’ today 8th and 4th.) (b) the period of lease to be 35 years, (c) a revision of lease to be made after 7 years and every 7 years after that, (d) the annual rent to be £350’ per annum. Lord Bandon arrived at the meeting and after the introductions ‘the meeting was declared adjourned while Lord Bandon was entertained suitably by the members’ When the meeting was reconvened some
Top: Denis O’Keeffe Honorary Life Member 1987 Above: The Denis O’Keeffe memorial prize
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Officers and committee members of the Bandon Golf Club stand for a group picture in front of the club’s magnificent new clubhouse - 1969. L-R: Teddy Poland, Ted Hegarty, Joe Shorten, Dr. E.T. Callanan, Jerry Calnan, Jack Fennelly, Paddy Downing, Dr. M.J. Glancy, Tony Neville, Fred Lynch, Tom Brennan. Photo courtesy of the Examiner Publications
discussion took place and ‘the meeting was informed that Lord Bandon would consent------‘to make the first revision of the lease 14 yrs rather than 7-----’ This piece of theatre was no doubt, stage managed by Teddy Poland and Tony Neville with their friend the Earl. Agreement had yet to be reached on the lease of the so called ‘Car Park’ field.(today’s 2nd and 3rd. which at that time was held on lease by the Bandon Agricultural Show Society from Lord Bandon. The meeting concluded with agreement to approach the Bank for funding and apply for planning permission to build the new club house – all on the basis of the establishment of the new lease. Lord Bandon was also in favour of transferring the lease of the ‘car park’ to the golf club. Mr. Jerry Mehigan receiving the President’s Prize from his father, the President, Mr. M.J. Mehigan, along with Mr. T. O’Leary, Mr. T. Hegarty and Mr. J.J. Fennelly
By February 1968 plans for the siting of the new club house south of the tennis courts were approved and financial accommodation of £4000 requested from the M & L Bank. Voluntary labour was offered by members and timber for the upper floors and roof purchased in advance as the price ‘would be increasing due to devaluation’ In the meantime, the golf club turned to farming ‘having obtained a contract for malting barley from Watney-Murphy brewer which was grown on some of the Western field whilst awaiting conversion to a golf course. The building of the club house began in June 1968 with Stanley Bolster providing direct labour and the club providing materials at or nearly at cost by using all the influence and connections they had. Voluntary labour by the members was also a cost reduction measure and older members say ‘little golf was played that year’. A great debt of gratitude is due to members such as J.A. Riordan, the Mills Brothers - Jim and Noel, the Tobin Brothers - Michael and Con, Denis O’Driscoll, Pat O’Connell, Finbar Hayes, Noel O’Connell, Ronnie Murphy, Edward Cassells, Celil Hayden, Michael O’Driscoll all under the watchful eye of Fred Lynch B.E. The old chestnut of unpaid subscriptions raised its head in high profile that year. The Captains prize was played on Sunday 5th May that year and it was found that the player with the winning score had not paid his sub. When asked about it, the player said he had on the previous day deposited his cheque in the letter box of the Hon. Treas who worked at the Bank of Ireland. The cheque was duly found there… an emergency Committee meeting held on the evening of the competition accepted that the situation was in order and that player declared the winner’. Objections from the second prize winner went on for several months but his cause did not prevail.
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In Sept 1968, James McEvoy ‘offered a trophy for a Scratch Cup to be played in Bandon between West Cork clubs’. This became the McEvoy Shield which has given almost as much pleasure to golfers off the course as on it and a perfect memorial to the late James. Dr. Callanan reported that year that the tenant of the show grounds had two goats with his cattle there but ‘they spent more time in the golf links than in the show grounds and were very destructive to young trees’. As the club house was nearing completion it was decided to introduce a levy for the first time and also to charge new members an entrance fee. The levy was to be £5 and from the estimate of £1000 raised from the levy we can see that overall membership numbers at this time was approx. 200. The new club house eventually cost £9500 and was officially opened on May 18th 1969- exactly sixty years after the foundation of the club. That year also the club celebrated its Diamond Jubilee under the captainancy of Jerry Calnan and E.T. Callanan as president. Prior to the opening a number of candidates were interviewed for the newly created position of Manager/ Secretary (sic) and Ted Hegarty was appointed to the position just in time to organise the various events put on to celebrate the occasion. At this point the banking facilities were severely overstretched – nearly 50% of the members had not yet paid their levy and it was therefore decided to advertise for forty to fifty new members. In 1971 the club lost one of its most inspiring leaders when at a relatively young age Joe Shorten passed away. The years 1970 -74 will be remembered mainly for the development of the second 9 holes. A small driving range was also established in an open shed sited where the proshop now exists. A rate of three shillings was fixed for 36 balls.
Top: Dr E.T. Callanan, Tony Neville and Joe Shorten. Above: Dr. Michael Glancy, Fred Lynch, Tom Brennan and Joe Shorten Photos courtesy of Examiner Publications (1969)
Surprisingly, the Committee declined a request to grant a reduced rate to the clergy but by 1971 it was decided that all priests and clergymen would not pay an entrance fee – annual subscription only. By mid 1972 the cost of laying out each new hole was now estimated to be around £1900 and the club therefore sought financial accommodation of £17000 from the M&L Bank. The distinguished golf course architect Mr. Frank Pennick was retained to design the new course layout. The proposed lease included the so called ‘Car Park’ of 7.5 acres on condition that that field was ‘to be made available to the Bandon show for parking on the day of the show’ This is stated in the minutes but the actual lease document
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is silent on the matter. Unfortunately the ‘car park’ field was inadvertently ploughed up in 1972 which gave rise to certain ‘annoyance’ on the part of the Show Society with regard to car parking facilities for that years show. In May of that year the club produced two young golfers who were to go on to represent the club with distinction. Rhona Hegarty was congratulated for winning the Ladies Munster Junior Championship and Jerry Mehigan on gaining a place on the Munster Junior Team and thus becoming the clubs first interprovincial representative.
Top: Captain Teddy O’Leary’s Prize 1972 Above: 1970 Denis O’Keeffe’s Drive In. Included are President Tom Brennan, a startled Lady Captain Barbara Scott and other luminaries such as E.T. Callanan, Sheila O’Dea, Bunny Glancy, Tony Neville, Michael Glancy, Joe Shorten, Teddy O’Leary, Noel Mills etc.
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By late 1972, the new greens had been seeded, the lease finally stamped and financial facilities arranged with the bank to cover net borrowing which had now reached more than £13,000. In view of the financial situation the AGM of 1972, increased the annual subscription from £12.50 to £15. Unfortunately, progress on development of the new 9 holes was proceeding very slowly and this led to what looked like a crisis meeting between the Planning Committee and the General Committee in July 1973 and seems to have reenergised the project although no changes in the management responsibilities were made. Stone picking on the new fairways proved to be a major delay and the fairways were not seeded until the following spring. At this time it was proposed that ‘discothèques be held in the club house at least on a trial basis’. On a vote of 7 to 5 the general committee rejected the proposal – after all there had been reports of ‘undesirable persons’ attending some of the dances held earlier on. The AGM of 1973 occupied itself with matters relating to the clubs indebtedness and fund raising. However, two other items are of interest. Firstly, the Planning Committee under Tom
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Part of the 1972 lease document for the new 9 holes
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Brennan had been in office for 8 years and as the club house and new 9 hole course was now almost complete they wished to stand down. Secondly, a motion to enable the four Trustees to be members of the General Committee was lost on a show of hands following a protracted discussion. Some years later the current position whereby one Trustee sits on the Committee but without voting rights was adopted. Late in 1973 it was stated ‘that on paper we have 208 full members but only about one third of them are regular playing members ----and a positive effort be made to attract new members----and we should advertise---’ During 1974, a discussion on a proposal from the tennis club to build a third hard court shows that at the time the tennis club was paying rent of £10 p.a. to the golf club. In 1974 an Extraordinary General Meeting adopted ‘New Rules’ and a constitution for Bandon Golf Club. A new rule allowed a President or Captain to serve two years consecutively. The sitting President Mr Ed O’Driscoll was by unanimous decision again nominated for the office of President for the following year. Completion of the major expansion programme which transformed the club from a 9 hole to an 18 hole course with a modern club house was completed when the new course was temporarily opened for play on Oct 20th 1974. It had taken eight long years of hard work, high risk, astute management, the goodwill of the landlord and bank manager and much voluntary effort to crystallise Joe Shortens’ simple proposal which started the ball rolling back in 1966. Like many such endeavours it is unlikely that it would have been embarked upon if all the difficulties and delays had been foreseen in 1966. Improvements to a golf course however, never seem to end. The AGM of Feb 1975 recorded a long list of work to be done against a background of a debt of over £22,000 and an inflation rate in the high teens. The inevitable happened when a levy of £100 was agreed for all full members, associate members to be levied at £10 per year ‘but ladies whose husbands were already paying the levy would be exempt’ The years from 1974-78 were ones of consolidation and completion of many outstanding matters relating to the new course. For example, manual stone picking continued for over a year. A new watering and sprinkler system was found necessary. Bunkers and banking to the fairways along the southern boundary of the course was also necessary. An issue relating to the exact definition of the western boundary of the course emerged and took some time to resolve. Increased golf traffic put pressure on the kitchen, bar and catering service which needed full time manning for the first time. All of this effort plus the corresponding funding activities kept the Honorary Officers almost fully employed and sometimes living on the edge. The current membership would do well to reflect on the huge input made by the officers of the club during these hectic times. In mid 1978 the first complaints of stray golf balls from the old first hole breaking windows across the road appeared. Attempts to solve the problem with netting and otherwise did not help and that hole was eventually taken out of use as a par 4 in 1982. There was a proposal to rent the showground as a practice area for 1977 but it did not receive a seconder. The AGM of Feb 1977 was presented with a bleak outlook on the financial situation facing the club for the following year – ‘I foresee a shortfall of approx £9000 at the end of the next financial year. The club will find itself in financial trouble without a substantial increase in income’.
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Following this blandishment the first meeting of the General Committee promptly solved the problem by arranging an extra bank loan of £5000!. Purchase of around £3000 worth of course equipment had already been separately funded by an independent finance house. The club was hit with tragedy in early Oct. when the very popular captain, Paddy McSweeney died suddenly in the club house while entertaining the London Irish Rugby Golfing Society who were visiting the course on that day. The AGM of 1978 was very concerned about its finances and had lost too many members. A long discussion to attract new members through subsidies and even accept temporary members took place. There was also concern that the new course was too difficult. This time around the first committee meeting unlike the previous occasion was unable to extricate itself – the Hon Treasurer stating, ‘at the moment we cannot draw any cheques on the club account as it is down £5000 on its overdraft – the Trustees must apply for a further overdraft’.
T. N. Coakley, E. T. Callanan, P. McSweeney
In 1978 the Agnes O’Driscoll memorial Trophy was inaugurated - she had earlier been elected an Honorary Life Associate member for her unstinting service to the club for over 50 years. Since 1969, Ted Hegarty, with the title of Secretary Manager, had performed a range of duties i.e. course, bar, clubhouse, catering as well as competition entry and professional shop. In 1978, at his request his role at the club was reduced to give him more time to pursue golf teaching as well as manage an antique furniture business. He still worked part time as a professional and managed socials and dances. The new 18 hole course was officially opened on June 18th 1978 – ready to celebrate the club’s seventieth anniversary. The opening ceremony included speeches by the President M A Neville, George Crosbie – Cotton, Penninck & Lawries’ local agent, John McInerney, chairman of the Munster GUI, Captain Denis O’Donovan and Lord Bandon who cut the tape and declared the course officially open. Lord Bandon was presented with an inscribed silver tray valued at £300 which had been donated by Paddy Keane of Keanes Jewellers, Cork. A marquee had been rented for the day. There was a special stableford competition in the morning 8.30- 1.30pm. for full members and silver plaques for the winners. Then at 2.30 Committee members joined the invited guests in a special competition also for silver plates. It was decided that there would not be any competition for the ladies ‘on that day’. Perhaps they were too involved at catering. – an unbelievable decision in today’s politically correct world. The new course attracted additional membership and over 200 new members were elected that year. This and the introduction of the new levy were major steps towards the stabilisation of the club finances and the cornerstone of what we have today. At the end of that year the AGM of 1979 heard that there were 372 full and 72 lady associate members. That AGM was notable for a number of reasons: - an unprecedented attendance of 76 members, agreement to alter the constitution in order to run the club on the basis of 5 subcommittees and that ‘neither the Captain nor President be eligible for re-election the
Noreen McSweeney receiving the Agnes O’Driscoll trophy from Agnes O’Driscoll with Martha Hall and Edward O’Driscoll
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following year after being in office for one year’- the latter being a very quick change of mind. Two important milestones were passed that year under the Presidency of J.A. Riordan – the introduction of crested blazers for the Captain and President and the start of negotiations to secure the showground as a practice area. That year the captain’s prize was won by Inspector Eric Ryan, Cork footballer of note and the minutes made reference ‘to the unfortunate disqualification of John Brady and the good spirit that he showed in going out to caddy during a play off despite the atrocious conditions’. Some years later Peadar O’Murchu showed similar good spirit when disqualified after failing to sign his card for forty two points in a captains’ prize. In 1980 the committee decided that as a growing and progressive club the services of a full time professional became necessary. Accordingly, an amicable agreement and compensation was agreed with Ted Hegarty in March 1980 who was reinstated as a full member in December of that year. The process of recruiting a professional golfer proceeded during 1980 led mainly by Ml. Stafford on behalf of the General Committee. Peter O’Hagan from Warrenpoint was appointed. It was also decided that a new professional shop would be built and a limited practice area was negotiated in the showground. In Nov 1981, Peter O’Hagan planned to spend some time on tour of South Africa and asked Brendan McDaid to join him as an Assistant Professional. As previously stated the club house was proving inadequate and plans were drawn up for a major extension. – the only issue yet again appeared to be finance – in the middle of a major credit squeeze – but yet again the bank came to the rescue. A loan of £40,000 was agreed on the basis of two conditions, confidentiality and that sum not to be exceeded. This time our friend at the helm of AIB locally, was none other than the redoubtable Noel Coughlan! The venerable M & L had just morphed to AIB. John Brady was contracted to carry out the work. M. Stafford, S. McKechnie, Tom Weiskopf (professional), J. O’Donovan at the Irish Open in 1981.
1981 also saw a well balanced Bandon team get a dream draw in Tom Weiskopf – then the worlds number 3 golfer in the Carrolls Pro Am at Portmarnock. Our boys were so underwhelmed by Weiskof’s behaviour on the course they did not present him with the piece of Waterford crystal they had brought with them from the club. All this progress was clouded by the death of the current President Finbarr Murphy who had been a most popular and active member of the club over the years.
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That year also the General Committee decided that the position of vice captain be established and the £100 p.a. threshold was reached for male membership subscriptions. Up to this point the Bridge club continued to use the old club house but they made an unfortunate error in complaining that they had no water supply – they were abruptly given notice to quit. The only item of note in the minutes of 1982 dealt directly with the lady golfers when the committee decided that they ‘have no rights except on Wednesdays or when playing in a Competition and must not play on this course before 4.15pm on Sundays’ Nevertheless, the General Committee at its following meeting unanimously agreed to allow its lady captain, Mrs Kathleen O’Driscoll, to use the crested club blazer. That year also saw the final resolution of the problems of golf balls from the old first tee entering the properties of the Kilountain residents across the road. Protracted legal argument led to the hole being reduced from a par 4 to a par 3. Hindsight is wonderful but would that move have been forced on the club soon afterwards anyway due to car parking pressures?. The AGM held in January 1983 noted the professional Peter O’Hagan was leaving to go to Malone Golf Club and the election of Barry O’Neill as Hon Sec of the Club. Around this period there was a very high turnover of members – in 1982, 71 new members were elected but 51 were lost. In fact a net loss of 34 members was reported at the following year’s AGM.
The Paddy O’Boyle Era Commences. Recruitment of a replacement professional moved swiftly. Of the five applicants, following interview, the minutes state ‘that Mr P. O’Boyle was by far the superior choice and the General Committee ratified his appointment’. Paddy reported for duty on March 3rd 1983 and continues to amply repay the trust the committee placed in him to this day.
The opening of the extended 11th hole in 1982 with Norman Noonan, Rodney Price, T. N. Coakley, James A. Riordan, John & Carmel O’Driscoll & Marie Walsh
Standing: Michael Stafford, James A. Riordan, Denis O’Keeffe, T. N. Coakley, Sean Collins, Jim Slattery, John Cronin, Ronnie Murphy, Seated: Norman Noonan, Finbar Murphy, John Hickey, John Mehigan
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In late March that year proposals for a newsletter were proposed by Pat McCarthy. This publication – forerunner of the ‘Castigator’ was felt to be ‘a good idea but some insertions were questionable’ – long may they continue. Pat himself, deserves credit for surviving twenty five years of castigation. During 1983 a great long term servant and benefactor of the club, Dr ET (Nudge) Callanan passed away. He was replaced as a Trustee by J.A. Riordan. In Sept 1984, Paddy O’Flynn having being nominated as captain for1985 was unable to take up the position and at short notice Norman Noonan accepted, making Norman the only person to hold the position of captain on two occasions since 1917. The years 1984-87 were principally devoted to upgrading of the course. At the outset the 18 hole course was unplayable for periods over the winter period mainly due to poor natural drainage and the orientation of some greens. Under the supervision of course officers such as J A Riordan and Michael Stafford, huge efforts were made to create the foundation for some of the fairways and greens we have today. By 1986, consideration was given to the appointment of a qualified green keeper. This had become necessary as the Hon. Course officer position had almost become a full time post dealing with various experts on reconstruction of greens and the serious issues of drainage. Accordingly, Mr Jim Madden who had worked in a similar capacity at Milltown Golf Club in Dublin was appointed green keeper on 16th March 1987. Is Barry O’Neill about to invite Jack Nicklaus to Bandon?
The volatility of membership was again noted at the AGM of Dec. 1987. This showed the election of 63 new members but with a loss of 61 during the previous year. This may have been a reflection of the condition of the course especially in winter time when it was unplayable for long period - remember the buckets! This comment only highlights the enormous improvements which have been made under a succession of course officers and ground staff. A second make over of the clubhouse was agreed at a well attended extraordinary general meeting held in Nov 1988. A comprehensive 3 year plan had been drawn up by a subcommittee chaired by Rodney Price and this included new and more radical proposals for fundraising. The meeting agreed expenditure of £70,000 on the clubhouse extension to be funded by an offer of 30 ten year memberships at £1000, five life memberships at £3000, and five life Lady Memberships at £2000. There would also be a levy of £50 on full members and £30 on Lady Members. Under the constitution of the time lady members were excluded from this Extraordinary General Meeting but not obviously from its outcome. A feature of the period 1986-88 was the promotion and development of juvenile and junior golf within the club. Under the enthusiastic direction of Junior/Youth Officer WD (Billy) Barry almost full time attention was given to coaching and development of young golfers. He was awarded a separate budget to assist with transport to club competitions and other expenses. His work reflected in the later emergence of accomplished players such as the Hurley brothers, Burns brothers, John Minihane, Ger Tobin and many others. At the time also Hamilton High School was successfully competing in the National Schools Competitions.
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The extension of the clubhouse proceeded rapidly during the spring of 1989 and was completed by May – coincidentally the club was now eighty years in business. Its cost had also increased rapidly eventually reaching around £125,000 which was again funded through a further increase in banking facilities. During that year there were rumblings of discontent regarding some pungent articles in the ‘Castigator’. In fact the Captain of the year, John Carroll, was directed to meet the author – no doubt to castigate him but hindsight suggests that this was a complete failure! In June of that year the minutes record that the course officer (Mick Stafford) ‘stated that James Burns has shown some interest in green keeping and it was agreed to appoint him over the summer months’ –a very perceptive and fortuitous observation by Michael. Whether or not the T.V should be sited in the members bar or the lounge seemed to create a lot of angst for the Committee as its position yoyoed before finally coming to rest where it is today. That year the membership totalled just over 600 including 324 full members and 109 junior and juvenile members. The latter again highlighting the great recruitment and development work being done in that area by Billy Barry. Pat McCarthy who succeeded him continued in the same vein even going as far as appointing junior captains.
James Burns and John Joe Hourihane
The problem of late payment of annual subscriptions had bedevilled the club ever since first noted in the minutes of 1910 but no decisive action had ever been taken. The AGM of 1989 rectified this when it passed motions of competition ineligibility from March 1st and automatic cessation of membership after March 31st if subscriptions were unpaid. It was also agreed in 1989 that membership would close when full membership reached 450. This occurred during 1990 when the AGM of that year recorded a waiting list for the first time – ‘there are presently in excess of 80 applications on the waiting list’
The Great Leap Forward Although matters seemed to stand still over the next few years, certain straws in the wind can be discerned in the minutes and these eventually came together to form the foundation of the last great ‘leap forward’. This eventually occurred in the 1999-2003 period. For example, there were calls for a team to be set up to look into the future structure of the course. Major issues of safety had begun to manifest themselves along the boundary of the old 9th hole with the Mills property. There was also Barry O’Neill’s prescient comment at the AGM of 1991 that ‘it was inevitable that changes were forthcoming in the golfing scene, in the not too distant future, with ladies being accepted as full members’. For the first time, in late 1992 a formal application seeking terms for full membership was received on behalf of a number of ladies and the request was noted. Addressing all these issues proved to be the fundamental driver of the clubs’ development activity over the following 8-9 years and took the whole presentation and quality of the course and its club house to a new level. In April 1993 planning permission for the new overflow car park was received and its development cost £4000. In early March 1993 David Keating replaced Brendan McDaid as assistant Golf Professional and in the following month James Burns, having completed his qualifications as a green keeper, left the club to take up the position of green keeper in Dundrum.
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The first Parent Committee under the new constitution (2002) Back: Pat McCarthy, Miriam Murphy, Frank O’Leary, Margaret Sheehan, John Donegan, John Mason, Ber Canniffe, Jim Hurley. Front: Tim Lucey, Mike Halpin, Margaret O’Brien (lady captain), Paddy Kehoe (president), Donie O’Donovan (captain), Michael Stafford, Noel O’Sullivan, Michael Young
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Around this time it appears that the tennis club had neglected to make its annual rental payment as reflected in the following minute of December 1993 ‘the question of the tennis club paying rent as was the practice in former years is to be looked at’. The sense of ‘business as usual’ was suddenly changed when the following comment appears, seemingly out of the blue, in May 1995. ‘a letter received from Lady Jennifer’s Agent regarding the lease of a field in front of the castle totalling 18.5 acres’. This was not however, an entirely fortuitous event as the estate had been lobbied on the matter, for a considerable time, as a solution to the boundary problems on the ninth and other issues with the structure and hilly nature of the existing course. In the meantime, however, a major redesign of the clubhouse was undertaken in 1997. A project costing £300k – the largest single financial commitment ever by the club – involved a complete reordering and extension of the ground floor area. The changing rooms, bag storage, showers, entrance hall, junior locker room and offices were constructed and remain essentially unchanged today. That project was managed by a sub committee under the chairmanship of Jim Hurley. A little later a major milestone in the history of the club occurred when a new Constitution was developed and approved. This document enshrined for the first time the equal status of ladies and gentlemen within the club. The process involved a key decision taken by the ‘old’ general committee in 1998 to grant equal status which was followed by a period of consultation with the ladies committee leading to the approval of the new constitution by an EGM in 1999. Even though there was a genuine desire within the club to grant equal status, the judiciary was also becoming more and more reluctant to renew liquor licences to clubs not in compliance with gender equality. A small committee consisting of Ber Canniffe and Tim Lucey under the chairmanship of Paddy Kehoe, joined later by lady captain Margaret O’Brien, deserve credit for their draft which has now endured for almost ten years with little amendment. Around this time too another professional golfer began to emerge from the ranks of the club when Ian Stafford won the Presidents prize to juniors in 1996. He then went on to represent his country in the 1999 Boys Home Internationals. The first AGM of the ‘new club’ – under the rules of the newly drafted Constitution and with ladies and gentlemen having equal membership status for the first time was held in Dec 2001. That historic meeting held under specially worded Transition Rules was chaired by the new captain, Donie O’Donovan. He presided over the actual transition of the old to the new club in so far as that meeting elected the first Management Committee of the Parent Club. The new
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structure installed the President as Chairman of the Management Committee with the Captain and Lady Captain then taking responsibility for the management and organisation of their club competitions, handicaps and teams in national competitions. For the record the officers of that Committee were:President:
Paddy Kehoe
Captain:
Donie O’Donovan
Lady Captain:
Margaret O’Brien
Hon. Secretary:
Noel O’Sullivan
Hon. Treasurer:
Tim Lucey
Hon. Course Officer:
Ml Stafford
Hon. House and Social: Ml. Halpin. Committee:
Ms Ber Canniffe, J. Donegan, Jim Hurley, Pat McCarthy, Frank O’Leary, Mrs Miriam Murphy.
The two key decisions taken that evening were firstly, the approval of a club entry fee –‘to be four times the annual subscription’ which at that time was £500 for full membership and secondly, the setting up of a ‘Tees’ sub committee to ensure a fair allocation of the tee times between the lady and gentlemen golfers. Some apprehension regarding allocation of tee times turned out to be misplaced as the matter was and still is well managed by the goodwill and cooperation within the Tees subcommittee. At the outset, early tee times were allocated to the ladies at weekends but as these were not used as allocated a compromise was amicably concluded. Plans for the development and construction of the course are worth summarising. The lease of the castle ground had been agreed in principle by 1999 and the AGM of that year, on the proposal the Captain, Jim Hurley, established a Course Development sub committee which was granted a three year tenure in order to implement the total project. That sub committee was chaired by Michael Stafford and included John Carroll, Jim Hurley, Lucy O’Mahony, John Donegan, Nial Coakley, Kevin O’Leary and Tim Lucey. It was later joined by Captains Donie O’Donovan and Finbar McCarthy. Planning and design work was immediately commenced by course architect Jack Kenneally and its proposals were accepted by an EGM in late 2001. However, the prudence of commencing actual ground work while the lease remained unsigned caused certain angst among some members of the general committee. In the end the hawks carried the day, progress was rapid and the new holes were ready to play within a year. The second phase commenced immediately. This phase, facilitated by the first, essentially involved the reconfiguration and the levelling of three sloping fairways in the centre of the old course i.e. today’s tenth, fourteenth and fifteenth holes. This work was again completed well within a year. The key event of 2003 was, of course, the official opening of the new course which took place on Aug 3rd. The actual ceremony took place on the 7th green on a gloriously sunny day against the backdrop of the new fairways and the imposing castle ruin. During that year also the members bar was refurbished and the kitchen was considerably upgraded – all of this would eventually lead to the refurbishment of the club house, hallway and lounge in the following year. Two very bright spots worthy of mention took place in the golfing arena that year. Firstly, the Junior Girls reached the National Finals of Irish Girls Championship and Alison Kingston was selected on the Irish Girls Panel. The Mixed Foursome’s team achieved outstanding success in winning the National BMW championship which did much to raise the profile of the club.
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The AGM of Dec 2002 was notable for amending the new constitution so as to allow both Vice Captains to sit on the management committee. Early in 2003 the bar and catering service contract in the club was awarded to Ger Mehigan as a franchisee. Under this arrangement the club continues to provide a stable and quality service following an earlier period of indifferent management. In 2003, Rhona Brennan was congratulated by the Gen Committee on her nomination as selector on the British and Irish Curtis Cup and Vagliano Trophy teams. Later in the year both Mrs Brennan and Lady Jennifer Bernard were unanimously elected Honorary Life Members of the club. The AGM of 2003 took an interesting decision when a motion to reduce the quorum for Annual General Meetings from 80 to 50 members was rejected. This gives a strong indication of the healthy interest of the ordinary members in the welfare and management of their club. In the spring of 2004 following a GUI survey the course was assigned the following standard scratch scores and slope rating. Markers: Blue: White:
SSS 72 71
slope rating 129 127
The Ladies standard scratch was set at 73. During that year the lease on the ‘old’ course expired and the process of mapping the boundaries, establishing the exact acreage leading to the commencement of negotiations commenced. The matter was eventually finalised in 2006 when a new lease to the year 2100 was agreed and signed, thereby guaranteeing long term security of tenure on the course. In 2005 a conventional driving range to be sited at the rented showground was approved by the management committee but did not proceed due to certain legal issues raised by the latter’s committee. Thankfully, these matters have now been resolved with the result that the facility will see its first full year of use in our centenary year. In July a plan estimated to cost £90,000 to modify the entrance hall and upstairs landing of the club house was approved but did not commence until early 2006. For practical reasons relating to the integration of the stairs, landing and lounge area it was decided in Feb 2006 that the total area, be redesigned at a total cost estimated at circa £180,000 and be completed by May of that year. The project made some provision for the later inclusion of wheel chair access facilities which will now be completed in the centenary year. This year also, following a discussion with all interested parties, the clubs official playing colours were changed from navy blue to a light blue colour. The 2005 AGM agreed two amendments to the Constitution which may be worth recalling here as they have ongoing relevance. The first one related to unpaid subscriptions and brought forward by one month the dates from which sanctions would be incurred i.e. from Feb. 1st the course cannot be played or competitions entered and after 1st March membership may be rescinded if subscriptions still remain unpaid. The second amendment related to the selection process of the ‘Vice President Designate’. The constitution was vague on the process and was amended as follows to provide wider input and transparency ‘following consultation the President, Vice President, Captains and Vice Captains shall propose a member for the position of ‘Vice President Designate’.
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The right of nomination to this position shall reside exclusively with the Management Committee. Nominations will be subject to approval of the AGM of the Parent Club’ In June 2006 it was decided that the newly laid out course required additional professional input to further raise its presentation and playing quality. Accordingly, the position of Senior Course Superintendent was created and advertised. Subsequently, James Burns was appointed to the new position, thereby returning to his original training ground after 13 years in exile in Co.Tipperary.
I would like to record my thanks to Donal Murphy, Hon Sec 2007, who began this research and provided me with many salient extracts from the early minutes of the club. Paddy O’Flynn
Donal Murphy
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Bill Gibson’s research letter to the Editor.
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Bandon Golf Club - Early References Early references to Bandon Golf Club. It is thanks to Bill Gibson that we are able to include the following interesting data relating to Bandon Golf Club.
Golfers and Sportsman’s Holiday. 1897
The Golfing Annual 1909-1910
The Irish Golfer’s Guide 1910
The Irish Golfer’s Guide 1911
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The Course
Michael Stafford
James A. Riordan
Edward O’Driscoll
We are very lucky to still have with us a number of members who were very much involved in the history and the development of the club – namely Edward O’Driscoll, James A. Riordan and Michael B. Stafford, who have very kindly shared their recollections and memories with us below. Jim Riordan’s research into the early days of the course is followed by Michael Stafford who takes over and brings us up to the present day. Edward O’Driscoll then gives us an enthralling insight into the layout of the original nine hole course.
Golf & Course Development to 1985 by Jim Riordan My association with Bandon Golf Club dates back to 1962, when I was proposed for membership by Denis O’ Keeffe and seconded by Pat McKenna. It was a pleasure for me to be involved in the development of the club during the late sixties, seventies and the eighties. In viewing the development of the club and the playing of golf in Bandon we have to look back to the minute books of the club. Folklore has it that a golf match took place in Bandon against Coachford as far back as 1894. The Golfing Annual of the time said the Bandon course was sited at Castle Bernard estate. Local folklore again says that circa 1905/06 Lord Bandon, the Foutth Earl, during a card game, offered to lease enough land to lay out nine holes on the Castle Bernard estate and work on the project commenced immediately. A meeting was held in the Town Hall to formalise the setting up of a club and the course was announced as being open for play on the 10th December 1909. The Earl of Bandon was elected President and J.J. Calnan was the founding Captain.
1st Hole
The Club crest reads ‘Auxilio Dei Parva Crescunt’ or effectively “with the help of God little things grow”. This is very appropriate because what started as an improvised course on grazing land (with the greens set out on suitable flat areas as shown in Edward O’Driscoll’s layout later) has been developed into a testing parkland course in a beautiful setting with natural hazards abounding. It would seem that at the time it was the responsibility of the elected Committee to manage the cutting of the grass and lay out the greens. We are not sure of the quality or standard of the course but we know they had permission to fence in the greens as at that time the Earl of Bandon’s cattle were grazing on the course. It was difficult to organise the course with the cattle grazing on it as the Earl was slow to remove them. A local rule was introduced around 1913 to allow people to lift and clean the ball from
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animal droppings - that was progress! Our present day members will find it hard to believe that the main responsibility for the man in charge of the greens was to roll them once a week. We are not sure how often the greens and fairways were cut, but it was a far cry from what we are now accustomed to. Members must have been satisfied as many played golf there regularly. In 1912 Bogey for the course was set at 34 for the nine holes. Most noteworthy in the early years at Bandon G.C. was J.J. Calnan who was captain for nine successive years and helped to establish the club as a feature of West Cork life. 2nd Hole - also the 2nd hardest hole!
Development continued and in 1920 new tees were erected at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 9th. In 1926 an offer of a 21-year lease at £40 per year was made by Lord Bandon. That same year the cattle had been removed from the course as grazing rights for sheep at £30 for an 11 month period was agreed. This, obviously, gave the committee and green staff an opportunity to further develop the course. The nine hole course was highly regarded and it matured into a splendid track with distinctive sloping fairways and saucer shaped greens. One man was employed to look after the course and he occasionally cut the fairways with a horse drawn machine. When the Club was affiliated to the Golfing Union Of Ireland, James McKillop of Portmarnock was appointed as the Club’s first Professional. Michael Bingham from Tralee succeeded James and John Curran took over in 1931. Today the memory of Curran lives strongly in Bandon. The club owes a great debt to this fine player and teacher, who, more than any other individual, helped popularize the game in the area. John’s primary function was to maintain the golf course - in essence he was the Course Superintendent. During the 1940s to 1950s (see course opposite) new greens and tees had been built so the course was much changed during that period. This development coincided with John Curran’s period of employment, as it was his expertise, which was used to further the development and ongoing maintenance of the course. Because of his great work load the committee allowed him to hire a ‘strong boy’ to assist him with his many duties. John continued his good work at the club until he retired in 1964. Jim Mills and John Joe Hourihane succeeded him and continued the good work. In 1956 the club was fortunate to elect Joe Shorten as Captain of the club. He was a man of great vision for the future of the club and was later to become one of the driving forces in its development. Under his Captaincy, the committee decided to discontinue grazing sheep on the course and this proved to be a good decision. Subsequently it was decided to purchase a tractor to facilitate the maintenance and improvement of the course. There was a new lease of life in the 60s and, probably, the biggest decision taken by the club in its overall one hundred year history was made. It was decided that a new club pavilion would be built and that the nine holes be extended to eighteen holes. With little finance available, the club’s plans needed all the foresight and perseverance of people like the incoming President Dr. Mick Glancy, Joe Shorten, Edward O’ Driscoll, Tom Brennan, Ted Hegarty, Teddy Poland, Ted O’ Leary, Dr. E.T. Callanan, P.J. Downing, Denis O’ Keeffe and Fred Lynch- all pillars of the club. Further to the momentous decision, a development committee was elected of Dr. Mick Glancy, Joe Shorten, Tom Brennan, Fred Lynch and Sean Gill. Club members charged them with the very ambitious programme. Their directive was to build a new clubhouse and to extend the course to an eighteen hole course. The decision to extend the course should be seen in the
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The Course layout in the 40’s and 50’s
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3rd Hole
context that at that time the golf courses in West Cork were Bandon, Kinsale, Glengarriff, Macroom and Skibbereen were all nine hole courses.
4th Hole
On the 31st of October 1967 Lord Bandon’s estate agents visited the course carrying out an evaluation of the entire property with a view to transferring additional lands. They were accompanied by members of the committee, the club’s legal advisor M.A. Neville Honorary Secretary and Teddy Poland. To coincide with the development of the course Jim Riordan and Niall Coakley were also elected to the development committee. Ted Hegarty, Secretary/ Manager and Professional was always available to lend a hand during the development. In March 1968 general agreement on the new lease from the Earl of Bandon was secured and the club now had the extra land to consider the expansion of the course. Bandon Show Society, through the good offices of Ted O’ Leary, generously surrendered a further 7.5 acres to the club. Great tributes were paid to M.A. Neville for initiating and furthering the legal aspects of this matter. As a result of the expenditure incurred in the building of the new pavilion in 1969 there was a lull in development work on the course due to lack of finances. While awaiting the finalization of the lease, some of the land acquired under the proposed new lease, plus the 7.5 acres adjoining the 8th fairway, was cultivated during the year. The land available was put to good use by sowing Malting Barley Crops for two seasons. Tom Brennan secured the contracts for the grain and its subsequent sale to the brewers. Teddy Poland and Jim Riordan looked after the sowing and harvesting. The yield of grain netted considerable extra income for the club. In August 1971 the draft plan for the course extension had been received by the club from Messrs. Cotton, Pennick, Lawrie & Partners, ably assisted by their local agent George Crosbie. At the A.G.M. in 1972 it was decided that the club commence the development and it would proceed
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immediately. It was decided to retain Messrs. Cotton, Pennick, Lawrie & Partners in an advisory capacity. During the period 1969 to 1974 Dr. Michael Glancy, Tom Brennan, Niall Coakley and Jim Riordan, Course Officer, ensured that the development of the course would go ahead, and in the spring of 1972 it was decided to commence work. John Hurley was contracted to the ground work for the development of the course. By the autumn 1972 all the greens had been laid out and seeded as were most of the tees. In 1973 the grading of the fairways and work preparatory to seeding of the rough and fairways remained to be done. Stone-picking on the fairways was a problem, as a mechanical stone picker was not available at that time. It was Ted Hegarty who was good enough to organise members and their families to stone pick the fairways and both young and old enjoyed the activity. It was anticipated that all this work would be completed by the following April 1974 and the committee were as good as their word with the first ball being played on the 20th October 1974. This was an auspicious occasion for the club, under the Captaincy of Niall Coakley, albeit it was only open for a day. Bandon Golf Club was redesigned, upgraded and now was an eighteen hole course - the first in West Cork. This would provide enjoyment and was a welcome amenity for the area. The 18 hole course was fully brought into play on the 22nd June 1975. Jim Riordan, the Captain, had his prize day and from that time the 18 holes were in play.
The 7th green & the 18th today
View of the eighteenth c. 1973 from the new clubhouse balcony prior to plantation. (Examiner Publications)
View of the eighteenth hole with plantation under snow.
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The original layout of the first 18 holes (1974)
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The new 18-hole course was officially opened on the 20th June, 1978 by Lord Bandon & John McInerney, President of GUI, Denis O’ Donovan, Captain, M.A. Neville, President & Jim Riordan, Course Officer, were in attendance. This was a wonderful occasion for the club and was a major milestone in its development. In 1976 a water system was laid on the course. Messrs. Lenehan, Dublin did the work. This was a great asset and helped with the satisfactory irrigation of the greens. Mr. Edward O’ Driscoll, B.E., was thanked for all his work in the design and preparations for the installation. Members enjoyed a special golfing occasion in 1981 when Philip Walton, Ronan Rafferty, Norman Drew and Peter O’ Hagen (the Club Professional) played an exhibition 4-ball, the golf was good and everyone enjoyed a memorable occasion. In 1985 Denis O’ Keeffe, Hon. Life Member, opened the new 11th hole (current 13th hole) where the existing par 3 had been extended to an excellent par 4. There were Course Officers who were influential in the course maintenance including Dr. E. T. Callanan, a life-long member, who took great interest and was the first elected Course Officer in the early sixties, then Jim Riordan from 1969 and Edward O’ Driscoll and later on John Mehigan.
8th Hole & 11th Hole - Par 3. Look back up from the green and you will see Johnny Curran’s “chair”
Opening of the new 9 holes in 1978. J.A. Riordan, D. O’Donovan (captain), Lord Bandon, M. A. Neville (president), J. McInerney (GUI), G. Crosbie
John Mehigan was a huge loss to the club when he passed away in 1988. He was Course Officer in the late seventies and early eighties and he did great work on the course, most especially for his foresight in tree planting. Many members would thank him for the aesthetic value these trees bring to the course. In fact in those days it was a very hands-on job and it was John Brady, in his blue pick up, aided and abetted by John Mehigan, John Joe Hourihane and Jim Riordan and others that both sourced and then went on to plant some of the trees on the course. Edward O’ Driscoll was very generous giving the use of his machinery to aid the planting of trees and also the further development of the tees. The Course development could not have happened without the ongoing care and maintenance provided by the green keeping staff. John Joe Hourihane is fondly remembered for his many years of service as also is Mick Lynch and Ned O’ Sullivan.
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Michael B. Stafford I arrived in Bandon in June 1976. The 2nd 9 holes were built at this stage but not officially opened until 1978. Quite a lot of work was carried out in the late 70s and early 80s, particularly tree planting etc., by the late John Mehigan and subsequently by J.A. Riordan, Course Officers through most of this period. It is worth noting that a lot of this work was done voluntarily by members and their machines!! (Could one imagine doing that today?) J.A. Riordan retired as Course Officer in 1985. The incoming Captain, Jim Brennan, asked me to take up the duties of the vacant officership, a challenge I accepted enthusiastically!! (A little knowledge being a dangerous thing etc.) The course staff at that time consisted of John Joe Hourihane R.I.P. Mickey Lynch and Ned O’Sullivan R.I.P. three gentlemen and great servants of Bandon Golf Club.
Top: 12th Hole - now being played from the old 9th tee Above: The opening of the castle holes by Lady Jennifer Bernard in 2003.
We progressed somewhat in 1986 with some new trees and advice from consultant Richard Stillwell. However our ongoing problems of compaction /thatch on the greens were not being remedied satisfactorily and this allied to changing needs/demands of our members resulted in the decision being taken in late 1986 to look for a fully trained Greenkeeper. Eventually in early 1987 we engaged Jim Madden to fulfil this role. A programme of action was drawn up prioritising the improvement of greens and tees. In conjunction with that we decided to implement a bunkering programme which had been devised by renowned course architect, the late Eddie Hackett. Tree planting continued alongside this work over the next few years, a mixture of broadleaf and coniferous trees being the preferred option. Around 1990 – 92, behind the scenes, we were actively engaged in examining the possibility of buying out/ leasing more land. Buying out of our lease failed to materialise despite our best efforts but in 1993 the land in front of the Castle along with land across the road near Bandon River became available subject to various conditions. I think it is appropriate here to acknowledge the tremendous work that was done during all of this time by Tony Neville. His work was invaluable in finally having land now known as “castle holes” released to Bandon Golf Club for development.
The new castle holes 2003
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Once the land lease was agreed in 95-96 all kinds of development became possible. Over this period the various Captains/Committees did their research and looked at options and possibilities for Course changes. Eventually the Millennium Captain, Jim Hurley and Committee, decided to press ahead and formed a Development Committee whose brief was to bring to committee and later to a members’ E.G.M. a comprehensive plan for “castle holes” and integration of same into a revamped course. The Development Committee decided to proceed in two stages. Phase (I) was to develop the land at Castle and Phase (II) was to redevelop holes 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 of the old course to accommodate the addition of the Castle Holes. A brave decision was made that funding for the project could be paid for by
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members as development was done. Hon. Treasurer Tim Lucy put his head down and put together a package to fund this development which would put the least possible financial demands on members. Members of the development committee at the time were Chairman M.B. Stafford, Kevin O’Leary, John Carroll, Tim Lucy, Jim Hurley, John Donegan, Niall Coakley, and subsequently Vice-Captains in their years, Donie O'Donovan and Finbar McCarthy The complete package, i.e. course design and the financing of same, was put to the members at an E.G.M. in 2000 and was unanimously adopted. I think it was a special occasion in the history of the Club and gave everyone a terrific impetus for overall development of the club in all its facets. The main Phase (I) work began in spring 2001 with Tim Daly, contractor, under the supervision of Course Architect, Jack Kenneally. The first greens were seeded in August/September and the Castle Holes came into play mid 2002. Phase (II) which incorporated redevelopment of some existing holes then proceeded and was completed in May 2003. During all of the development work we had a full 18 holes in play for members, admittedly with a little extra walking here and there (Mea Culpa!!!).
Top: The dreaded 13th - hookers beware Above: The 14 Hole bring your bucket & spade
Finally to no little acclaim, our new/redesigned course was officially opened in August 2003. I think it has matured very well since then and with the re-working of the 14th green in 2008 we now have a genuine test for all standards of golfer. No doubt further tweaking of the course will happen from time to time, maybe, we might even consider toughening up 16 and 17! Perhaps we might even re-lay 11th with an island green and water surrounding it!! Oh! To dream. While all development was going ahead, routine course maintenance/improvements continued year in year out with Jim Madden and his Course staff- by now extended to 6 full-time with students helping out each summer. When Jim Madden retired in 2006 the Club engaged James Burns as Course Superintendent. James, a long-time member, trained in Bandon in the early 1990’s before assuming the role of Head Greenkeeper at Dundrum Golf Club. His magnificent input to date is there for all to see. The other Course Officers of the era of which I write were Jim Hurley, Jim McKeon, Jim O’Driscoll, PJ Flynn and Donie O’Donovan, who all did Trojan work during their stewardship to further improve and enhance the course While I’m sure we will see further exciting changes/developments in the next millennium, I truly believe that those who held the reins in trust for the members in times past have made a substantial contribution to the development of our Club.
My God - What have we done? Jack Kennelly, Mick Stafford and T.N. Coakley at the building of the castle holes.
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Edward O’Driscoll. I began my acquaintance with the Golf Club in Bandon in the late 1930s when I used to come as caddy for my father, not so much my mother, and only occasionally. My father got the club professional, John Curran, at the time to cut down ladies’ hickory shafted clubs so that I had a 3 wood, a long iron - a 3 iron, a five iron and a chipping club, and I also had a putter. I had a very small bag and I wouldn’t bring all the clubs all the time, very often only the three wood, the one iron and the putter. At that time, and for a considerable time afterwards the course was a nine hole course.
J. Crotty and J. Boushel’s card from 1937
1. The first began in front of the old club house, a shed. The men’s tee was in a position rather in front of if not a little to the right of that shed near where the present fifteenth green is. At that time there were no internal trees at all in any part of the course. There were none of the fir trees or those other ornamental shrubs that now exist widespread. There were however large old beech trees along the boundary walls, inside the boundary walls, in both the lower field and the upper field. That first hole was perfectly straight and very much influenced by the roadside dead straight wall and one or two beech trees that grew inside the wall and could affect some shots. There was a stream in a channel, grassed over which accommodated flood water from the road, in the winter time running right across the fairway at a place and position short of the roadside gate now made in that wall. This stream would wash the ball away down across that fairway across the fairway coming back which was the ninth and into the park and many balls were washed away. Hardly any drives would get beyond that stream. The Ladies’ Tee was very much further forward, even more forward than the present tee on that hole, now played as the ninth. It was a very small insignificant tee not raised very much. There was a part of the park ground encroaching at an angle opposite the tractor gate from the road which presented a hazard for an exceptionally long drive that tailed to the right but with no other trees around. Many of the drives tailing to the right to avoid the road ended up on what was the ninth fairway and were played from that up to the green. The 1st green was not at all as far on as the present ninth green is and it was a flat green with very little embankment around it. I have outlined in red on the attached map the approximate location, to my recollection of the men’s first tee and where that green then was. 2. The second hole in my early memory of the course was a hole, that I was never allowed to play, because it was a peculiar hole, a par three shot, from a tee built near where the ninth green now is and the hole was played across the road over both walls to a green which was inside the tractor gate of that field. It was a blind shot totally and the only way of getting to the green was to walk back down the first fairway out the tractor gate as referred to and in the tractor gate opposite and then find your ball on or near the green. I have drawn an approximate location of this also on the map. There was no exit gate onto the road at or beyond the first green or entrance gate to the second as it then was where the opening now exists alongside the tennis court.
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18th Hole
The green at the second was featureless. At that time there were sheep grazing the course in an endeavour to improve it John Curran dug three bunkers which were never sand bunkers and they were allowed to become grass bunkers. They were ultimately known as ‘Curran’s coffins’. The green was just beyond them on the flat. 8 Par 5 9 Par 4 7 Par 3
3. The third tee and there may be signs of it still 6 Par 4 visible was from a position beyond that second green but close to the roadside wall short of and way below the present 2 Par 3 Tennis 1st green and just inside the roadside Club wall, this hole was played diagonally across that field up to a green which was not built up in the same way as the present sixteenth green is and not quite as close to the Western wall of that field. There was of course no club house where it now exists and the shape of this hole meant that, in that oblong field this, the 3rd hole was from one corner of the rectangle more or less to the opposite whereas the direction of the 5th hole was a direct crossing of that same 3rd hole. Consequently, there was a great risk of persons being hit on either of these two holes as each hole was played across the other in a wide open field where there was plenty of room to hook or to slice and yet play your second shot from a wrong fairway or the rough between two. There were no bunkers.
1 Par 5
PAVILLION
3 Par 4
5 Par 4
4 Par 4
The 9 hole layout as described by Edward O’Driscoll - roadway in bounds!
4. The fourth hole was more or less in the position of where the present seventeenth is but the tee was more forward and the green was a very flat, featureless green and constructed on the fairway more or less with a few grass mounds around it by way of obstructions to a ball running in onto the green from the sides. This hole was drivable but the green was a very poor class one altogether. The new green constructed and now being used as the seventeenth was not then in existence at all. Note the approximate diagram again on the map.
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5. The fifth hole was one that played across the third hole, it was a par 4, and the green was very much nearer the tennis court and very much to the right of the present eighteenth. The tee for it was in a place which would now be termed to lie between the present seventeenth green and the present sixteenth tee. As already stated, a lot of people were hit by balls in this crossing. 6. The sixth hole in my memory of it necessitated going across the road but the opening onto the road to do that crossing, was certainly not the one that presently exists, I believe it existed somewhere else. I cannot be sure but I do know that I am the person, who as President created the present opening in the wall adjacent to the tennis court, which creation and occurrence caused me great difficulty with the tennis club who objected most strenuously to the construction of that opening as it now exists. That sixth hole was for most of my life a problem hole, the tee was moved to different places, all in an attempt to prevent wayward tee shots going out onto the road and hitting the residences, which were then being built across the road. That occurrence ended up in proceedings much later. That was rather a featureless hole but it wasn’t as long as it later became, the green was a little closer to the tee but more or less in the same place, though in another effort much later to improve ‘the road problem’ a new green was built a lot below and to the north of what was the green by the road. 7. The seventh hole was not at all as the present hole is in fact it was a much longer par 3 hole with the green away below but to the east or to the right of the present green, very close in fact to the boundary of the park itself. It represented a good three iron shot to get the ball down there. The tee was not near the road, it was behind (not at the roadside) the old sixth green. The task of going down that steep part of the course, presented for the senior members the problem of having to walk back up from that green to the next tee. 8. The eight tee, which was much more forward than the present eleventh green is and this was a long hole to a green no longer now used built into the side of the hill and this was a par five. There was a peculiar little hump in the centre of the fairway about 250 yards from the tee and about 200 yards from the green or a little more and this hump later became known as ‘Brady’s hump’ as Mick Brady past captain, then of the Munster and Leinster Bank, a good golfer, one of the low handicaps of his day was about the only player in the club, who could reach that little pinnacle in his drive at that time. 9. The ninth hole was entirely different and very hard to explain relative to the contour and layout of the ground in that vicinity now. It was sometimes a par 5, sometimes a par 4. It was a semi dog leg to the left. The men’s tee was below an angle of park land, which for a long time wasn’t part of the course at all. It represented a stiff carry and even having carried it, the second shot to the green was entirely blind because the green was a very old green which must still exist, at least in its peculiar contours constructed away down on the flat in the angle of and close to the corner of the fence of the park. Located away down from the old club house, the back of the green had been built up, so as to retain the ball on the green if it could be reached, but presented a considerable chip over a grassy bank or mound, if one overshot it. You could not really see the green from the club house and it was below and beyond the position of the first tee, the old traces and layout of the green might still be discernable to this day. The second nine at that time was a repeat of the first nine. As matters progressed there were changes made, the first change was at the nature of the second hole which was altered as playing across the road was risky, undesirable and unnecessary and eventually a tee was created to the east of the tennis court near where the first tee now stands, though not that near to the tennis courses because the hole was still only a par 3. Then there was a new green built and the hole
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lengthened to become a par 4 and it was the second hole. Also the dangerous procedure of having the 3rd and 5th holes crossing one another was eliminated, and the third green was laid out new. The fifth which was played from a different tee, being a short hole and below the 3rd not crossing it. This later became the eighteenth. The fourth hole remained more or less as it was, but was remodelled, the tee was built up and put back to the wall, the new green was created and that green was less drivable, than it had been. The sixth hole across the road was changed numerous times and the seventh hole was changed majorly as well. It had been made into a short hole with a peculiarly built up green which hole had developed the name ‘plonk’ because it was for a wedge or chipping iron with plenty of backspin to put the ball on the green and hope it would spin back. The elevated tee that now exists and is used adjacent to the road was another one I constructed myself in my second year as President in 1974. That hole and green at the seventh meant that the old green down by the park could be abandoned and forgotten and it was. The eight hole changed its shape, became a very challenging hole and the tee position and the Ladies Tee positions were altered many times. The 9th hole underwent a whole lot of change, principally when water flowing across the first fairway was piped so that it no longer presented the hazard it did. The park land to the north of the course at the old 9th or a segment or angle of it was eventually taken in as part of the course and made a rough, and the whole 9th hole was changed and the new green was built closer to the pavilion in the position where the present 15th green still exists.
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Card of the Course January 2009
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Plan of the Course January 2009 63
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Tom Brennan supervising John Ryan and Michael Lyons
Joe Boushel teeing off in the 1930's
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Tom Brennan’s Memoirs
Tom Brennan
The Bar Tom was Secretary in 55 and 56. Dick Walsh was Bar Secretary. Any shortages when the monthly bar stock take took place, were docked from the Pro’s( Johnny Curran) wages (bar secretary and Pro were the only key holders). A large contingent from Clonakilty were on committee - Jim Neville T.P Houlihan Hazel Spiller, Joe O’Donovan Charley Hurley, Des O Brian Bailey. When Tom became Bar Secretary, there was just one key to the bar which meant he had to attend all functions and literally be there at all times, more or less. Judge Crotty at 1pm every Sunday arrived at the Club for his tipple of a bottle of Beamish and little Norah lemonade with a small Paddy whiskey. Because of pressure from Clonakilty Members, they needed bar facilities on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, due to different half days in Clonakilty. Therefore Tom decided to issue keys to all committee members. It was important of course that stock was balanced regularly. Once or twice the lock was changed due to little indiscretions!! Mostly this was due to over indulgence of the members themselves and forgetting whether they had paid or not!!
The Pro During the course of the year it was decided at committee level to dispense with the services of the Pro, Dr Callanan and Dick Walsh were instructed to carry out this task. At the next meeting the afore mentioned two were asked for their report and both said they refused to carry out this order because of his (Mr. Curran) long standing connection with the club and also Mr. Curran was in poor health. The matter was dropped and he continued to be Pro for many years
The Bank In the mid sixties the account was held in the Bank of Ireland. The account was never in good shape! Whilst in a queue to make a Bar lodgement to Horace Lysaght, the then cashier, the Agent Mr. McIntyre called out to Tom from his desk that he hoped the lodgment would cover the cheque for the rates which had been issued by Mr. Denis O Keeffe. Mr. McIntyre also instructed Tom to get it in writing from the Committee that they would reduce the overdraft by £50 p.a. As was the custom at the time Tom called to Joe Shorten’s shop after this encounter and held an emergency meeting there. (This was a regular occurrence as fellow committee members Dr. Mick Glancy and Michael Lyons were in the immediate vicinity and were able to be there at a moment’s notice) At the next General Meeting Tom aired his grievenances at the approach taken by Mr. McIntyre and it was agreed to change the account to AIB. By coincidence a committee member who was then manager of AIB had a form in his pocket and it was signed there and then!!!
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Fund Raising To boost revenue and because of Tom’s association, Chairman of Bandon Lawn Tennis Club, he decided to run dances in the Golf club with proceeds going to both Golf and Tennis Club. 1966 saw the first sponsored competition, which was the Murphy Watney Mixed Foursomes. Colonel Murphy’s sister was then a senior member of the ILGU. Another innovative means of reducing the Bank overdraft was to grow Malting Barley for Murphy’s Brewery on the waste ground below the present 14th hole. If the barley was of good quality it was then accepted at the premium price, otherwise it was sold for animal feed.
Building the clubhouse To promote the membership Joe Shorten encouraged new young people to join the Club. He succeeded in getting Noel and Jimmy Mills, Con Tobin, Michael Tobin, Mick O’Driscoll and others. Golf was becoming popular in Cork generally and Bandon felt that some of the overflow would come our way. The old Club House was now outliving it usefulness and plans for a new club House got under way. One proposal by Joe Shorten was to build near the present 15th to be built on stilts overlooking the river. Cost and lack of view to the overall course was a negative factor and stakes were then laid where the Club House is now situated to get feed-back from the Members. This received a favourable reaction. As Captain, Tom suggested that the committee members would contribute a £100 interest free loan and also encouraged other members to do the same. It was decided to go ahead with the building by direct and voluntary labour.. Stanley Bolster was the builder involved. Tremendous voluntary work was done. Hartes supplied the building materials at near cost and other traders were equally generous with their supplies. A planning Committee was appointed to oversee the work until completion. Total cost of the new building was £11,000.
Competitions Draws for partners were introduced in 1966, a local rule was introduced whereby a card must be marked hole by hole otherwise you would be disqualified.
Editor’s note. Tom Brennan comes from a long line of Brennans who served the club from its foundation. The family tradition continues to this day, his nephew, Jim Brennan being a past Captain and Jim’s son Philip, one of our young single figure players.
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Laying the foundations of the new clubhouse
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Jubilee Years
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Shotgun Jack O’Regan getting things underway ‘guarded’ by Noel O’Sullivan and Bertie Kelleher
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The Castle Bernard Castigator
Pat McCarthy
‘Without Fear or Favour’ It has been my privilege to edit the Castle Bernard Castigator for the best part of twenty-five years. We have records dating back to January 1986 in which was stated, ‘After an extended sabbatical we’re back!’ Those words suggest that we had ‘The Castigator’ up and running by early 1980s. Our esteemed club trustee M.A. Neville was hospitalised way back then and Michael Stafford and Pat McCarthy decided to bring out a news sheet in the manner that Tony had done from time to time earlier. The early editions sought to be more than an information sheet and Michael Stafford, if memory serves me well, was keen to bolster the regular news with snippets of gossip and hearsay about members. However, the more explosive issues were left where they belonged - in the sanctuary of the committee room. That policy has served us well for the past twenty five years.
G.H. Spiller, T.A. Neville, M. Glancy
Soon after the first edition, a single or a double page, was produced, it fell to the present editor to research and produce The Castigator - Michael Stafford at that time being single and a golfer with dreams was intent on playing a round, or two, or three! Nevertheless, over the years, he was the source of many snippets of news and a constant support to a publication that caught the imagination of many within the club. While the Castle Bernard Castigator was free to members, and still is, it’s costs were underwritten by the club. Some of the early printing was done at Bandon Vocational School, St. Brogan’s College, as it is known today. Soon afterwards it was run-off by Brian and June Merrick at their printing works in Weir Street. The first hard cover edition was produced at Easter 1986 and our first attempt at colour was for Michael Young’s President’s Prize 2001. Since then there has been steady progress in the colour line with our last edition, John Donegan’s President’s Prize 2007, featured several pages of colour photographs in an edition that had twenty pages. The welcome improvement in the quality is due mainly to the expertise of the printers. 1986 was a special year in the sense that four separate editions were produced, one for Captain’s Day (Jim Brennan), one for President’s Day (Pat Lacey), and two others, one in January and another in November. In 2001, a special edition was produced for the Lady Captain’s Prize Day. Miss Ber Canniffe was featured on the cover and the production team was Paula Reardon, Siobhan O’Leary, Dónal C. Burke and Pat McCarthy, a new departure that met with general approval. Another special edition was published for the Lady Captain’s Prize Day (Mrs Margaret O’Brien) 2002. Subsequent Lady Captain’s Prize Days had special editions in honour of the lady captain prepared and produced by the ladies’ section themselves. Long may that tradition continue to be the case.
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As I sit here in front of my PC [the spectre of John McGinley looms large] and another deadline approaches fast, I think back. How times have changed! Gone are the old ways of typing on an old clapped-out Facit typewriter with its battered ribbons, gone the cut and paste of press clippings of yesteryear, gone the fading of the print, the smudgy finish, etc. The editor-in-chief of this timely centenary publication, John McGinley, set me a brief, simple task – ‘Write a review of the last twenty five years as reported in the Castigator’. With fifty editions before me, and the likelihood that I will read each one again in detail, I wonder if I will ever get the task done. Special thanks to Michael Young for giving me access to the many mint copies of the Castigator he has in his treasure trove of Bandon Golf Club memorabilia.
1986
CAPTAIN Jim H. Brennan
PRESIDENT Pat J. Lacey
LADY CAPTAIN Phil Craig
We congratulated Bunny Glancy on her being voted an Honorary Life Member of Bandon Golf Club on the proposal of Norman Noonan, seconded by Niall Coakley. We also recorded the death of Joe McSweeney, a great friend and clubman, at the end of 1985. He and Denis O’Keeffe were prime movers in getting the fledgling ‘seniors tour’ off the tee every Tuesday morning. Some things were always that way. We recorded: ‘The terrible twins Raymond and Barry (Fear an Phoist) and the breathless Jack O’Regan raced around the course [three-ball scramble] in 2 hours 20 minutes and left the AIB slowcoach party of PJ Flynn, Des Riordan and Mick O’Neill five holes to their rear.’
Left: Mark Barrett, Jack O’Regan, Noel Coughlan Right: ‘Bless me Father for I have sinned’. Denis & Noel
1987
CAPTAIN Michael Young
PRESIDENT Ken Hall
LADY CAPTAIN Martha Hall
The Old Folks’ party was a resounding success thanks to the hard work of several club members. Mentioned in our coverage were John Mehigan MC, Siobhán McGrath, Phil Craig, Vera Hall, Theresa Slattery, Bunny Glancy, Eily McSweeney, Kitty Cotter. The captain and president were also busy and ’told’ ’to pull the pints, pass the savouries and wash the dishes’ that afternoon. Nell Walsh was wished well on her retirement from AIB, South Mall. Nell joined Tralee Golf Club in 1948 on the payment of the princely sum of £1-11-6. Des Riordan, Bar Officer, reported ’a good year’s trading’ in 1986 and said that the leasing of the food franchise was being considered by the club. Tenders were to be invited.
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We also revealed ‘that a sick bed conversion led Michael Young to sample the pleasures of golf’ in 1980. The introduction of the motorised caddy cars to the course was also noted with John Mehigan and Tony Neville being the first men to use them. It seems that only poor, poor farmers and well-healed solicitors could afford them at the time 1987 was also a good year for away trips, with especially Paddy O’Boyle’s trip to Spain being very popular. Joining Paddy for golf at Torrquebrada were Tony Healy, John G. O’Donovan, Paul Sweeney and Ben Shorten. As always, there was no breaking of the news embargo on their return.
Left: Michael’s “Young Guns” Right: Michael Young Captain - 1987 checking the break. Why didn’t it go in?
Jim Madden was engaged as Greenkeeper and the fruits of his labours could already be seen on the course, we recorded, especially the work done at the 1st tee, the erecting of some new signs and the clear marking of spinnies, etc. Con Tobin was the winner of Michael Young’s captain’s prize, having qualified five shots behind the leading qualifier Con Morrison. He also won Ted Hegarty’s prize in 1965. A Tobin double. The Honorary Life Membership board recorded that Denis O’Keeffe was blessed among women - Agnes O’Driscoll, Lady Jennifer Bernard, Mrs Rhona Brennan-Hegarty and Mrs Bunny Glancy were all among the living in 1987. In 1987 our weekday and weekend green fees were £6.00 and £8.00 respectively. There was a £3.00 reduction with a member.
1988
CAPTAIN Ricky Galvin
PRESIDENT James A. Riordan
Top: Ken Hall drives in - 1982
LADY CAPTAIN Siobhán McGrath
Eily ‘Joe’ McSweeney became the first lady of the links at Bandon to use a motorised caddy car. Given the size of the club, the Castigator was stirring it when he suggested that it was odd that we should have senior officers returning to the top for a second term.
Above: Irish Open 1984, Pat Morrissey, Christy O’Connor Junior, Finbarr Hayes, Lewis O’Mahony and Ken Hall
Club secretary Barry O’Neill supplied some interesting titbits from the old minutes: Fr. John Slattery was given the princely sum of £15 for the upkeep of the course during the month of February in 1958. A T. Brennan proposed and R.D. Walsh seconded MA Neville for membership in 1959. Oh the rascals! An entry for February 8th, 1956, relates that Joe Shorten was directed to approach Kinsale, Macroom, Skibbereen and Glengarriffe with a view to starting an inter-club competition. The result - the West Cork Shields of today. The annual subscription figures were: Men £4-4-0, Ladies £3-0-0 and Family £8-0-0.
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The Course Officer of the day, Michael Stafford, reported to the AGM [December 1987] that 1987 was ‘a significant year.’ Jim Madden, a new green keeper, had been appointed and since his coming in March, ‘a professional’ could be seen at work. He praised the ground staff - John Joe Hourihane, Michael Lynch and Ned O’Sullivan - for their response to their new boss. MB Stafford predicted ‘firm, fast greens by May.’ Nobody bothered to question, or was it dared question, the course officer on his report. Spineless, so-and-so’s! 1988 Rotary Am-Am Winners. From Left Front: John Lucey, Fr. Michael O’Mahony, Rev. John O’Donovan and Donal Murphy. Back: Mr. P. Murphy, Tony Neville, President of Bandon Rotary, Richard Julius, J.A. Riordan, President, Rickie Galvin, Captain
Breaking news from the Ladies AGM suggested, wrongly, as it transpired, that the ladies, in their wisdom, were about to seek a slot on the Sunday morning timesheet - portents of things to come, nevertheless. Our Captain’s Prize edition recorded the death of John Mehigan on March 8th. He had been course officer for six years, captain in 1979 and President in 1984. He was praised for ‘his drive, spirit and dedication’ to Bandon Golf Club, ‘a remarkable man, a true friend, a great family man’ according to James A. Riordan (President), ‘he epitomised everything that was and is good about golf,’ according to Michael Stafford (Course Officer). Jim Hurley, the perennial committee man, was reported as saying at the old 11th tee, ‘The worst thing about this **********game is --I can’t play, and worst still, I can’t give it up!!!!’ In the Junior West Cork Shield played at Bandon versus Dunmore, Paddy Kehoe, a proud Wexford man and playing off 18 then, poked the first hole and sank the putt for an eagle and followed up with a superb birdie on the 18th to win the match. Bravo! Noel Mills and Ann Brophy were congratulated on winning the ‘Adam and Eve’ Club Mixed Foursomes’ competition. News of a regular mixed foursomes competition in the pipeline was also revealed. Bar Officer John McGinley was instrumental in having Don O’Sullivan appointed Bar and Catering Manager at the club in April 1988. He was later to move to the Munster Arms hotel after several years of faithful service. Junior golfers Mark Flynn (Overall winner), Kieran Hurley (Under 14), Noel Hurley (Under 16) and James Burns (Under 18) were all winners in WD Barry’s Junior Golf competition on June 9th. Mol an óige … Where are they now?
1989
CAPTAIN John Carroll
PRESIDENT Dr Michael Glancy
LADY CAPTAIN Elma O’Brien
Ten Year memberships were introduced. Ten family ones @ £1,500 were offered and 30 male member ones @ £1,000. The total sum collected from the December 1988 Giveaway was £45,000. Mary O’Mahony kept ‘suitors’ Denis O’Brien and PJ Flynn on tenterhooks while she decided which one to partner in the Irish Mixed Foursomes of 1989. Our piece read: ‘Will it be the dapper ‘I’ll carry my own bag’ PJ or the wise-cracking defrosted Denis?’ In a short bullet point piece we noted that work had commenced to put bunkers on holes 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th, that Ronnie Murphy had been running the Christmas party for the past
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13 years, that the lady Captain Elma O’Brien had gone ex directory, that three temporary greens were in play, that John Davis, the slow one, won four turkeys and two bottles at Christmas, that a Building Committee meeting was held in Jury’s hotel, Cork and that Tony Egan borrowed a new set of clubs and still played shi.i..ite!!! Dr Mick Glancy recalled taking a lesson from our old pro Johnny Curran and hoped to get rid of those damned sockets that plagued his game. Having hit a succession of shots here, there and everywhere, the Doc revealed Johnny’s honest assessment of the situation: ‘Jasus Doc, I don’t know what you’re doing wrong!’ The death of Denis McSweeney, ever and always described as the perfect gentleman, occurred on August 1st. He joined the club in 1969 and became captain in 1973. He took up golf in his fifties. Among his golfing buddies were Jerry Hourihane, Florrie O’Driscoll, Frankie Cotter and Ted Hegarty - legends in their own right. The McEvoy Shield Roadshow was in its infancy but the coming together of Bill Sheane (piano) and Brian Merrick (MC) and a wonderfully inebriated bunch of McEvoy shield heroes plus the regular Sunday evening club revellers produced a night not to be forgotten at the club. In our piece, Jacko wanted ‘to buy Killarney’, Noelie Mills sang ‘The Fields of Athenry’ while Brian Merrick sang a few sea shanties, the Waugh brothers, Connie and Neville, gave a rebel song and a classic, respectively, with Kitty asking everyone to listen more intently. Con Morrison sang a few arias and Veronica Waugh was also heard to good effect before Jim Quinn sang, naturally, a very slow song. Baton-waving Rodney Price, as always, took part in the come-all-ye’s with gusto. John Brady, a long-time McEvoy Shield super caddy, was seen to twiggle his thumbs and other parts of his anatomy in response to the promptings of the MC. A cracking good night was had by all. Sadly, there are so few of these in the club nowadays.
1990
CAPTAIN PJ Flynn
PRESIDENT Kevin Bowens
Top: M. Glancy, E. McSweeney, E. O’Brien Above: Elma O’Brien (Lady Captain), Mrs Bunny Glancy, Dr Michael Glancy.
LADY CAPTAIN Norma Deasy
Our six lowest handicappers in 1990 were John Carroll (3.5), Michael Stafford (3.7), Jerry Mehigan (5.2), Leonard Waugh (5.2), Mark Kehoe (6.1), Billy McGarry (6.0). Denis O’Keeffe, Honorary Life Member, finally called it a day when he refused to go forward for committee in 1990. He had joined the club in 1953, was captain 1970 and president in 1973. He was long-time House Officer at the club in later years. Ní bheidh a leithéid an arís, we ventured to say, in our New Year edition. We noted that WD Barry and brothers John and Adrian Murphy were the only golfers to play cack-handed in the club. Holes in one were recorded by John McCarthy and Mick Halpin on the same day, John’s at the old 5th hole, now closed, and Mick’s at the 18th.
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Left: J. Hickey, R. Rafferty, B. Merrick (sponsor), P. Walton, F. Murphy,
We unearthed, and celebrated the fact that one Jack O’Regan had joined the club as a youngster in 1937, the same year that De Valera passed Bunreacht na hÉireann into law.
Right: Peggy & Tadhg Twomey with M.A. Neville
We reported the story that a mongrel of Mickey Tobin was the chief suspect in running off with Noelie O’Connor’s Christmas turkey, they’re near neighbours on Golf Links Road. We also reported that Shortens of Bandon was prepared to honour any vouchers from Bandon Golf Club at their business premises on South Main Street, Bandon.
Many ladies were irked with the edict that they were to ‘give way’ to all males outside of their specified times on the course. As always, the editor tried to stir the pot a little.
Phyllis O’Sullivan and Carmel Young ruffled some feathers when they were reported to have applied for full membership of Bandon Golf Club. Equal status at that time was still a pipe dream for the ladies, it seemed. Paddy O’Boyle was due to open his driving range, the Village Green, Inniscarra, in partnership with land-owner Eugene O’Brien in March. The ever-popular Ned O’Sullivan retired from the course staff and received a special presentation at the club in thanks for services rendered. Our membership at May31st, 1990 was closed as we had already 382 ordinary, 83 family male, 83 family female, 29 country male, 11 country female, 25 five-day, 78 lady, 47 junior and 55 juvenile members. The inaugural West Cork Mixed Foursomes, begun on the suggestion of Norman Noonan, was going well and had four of the semi-finalists known by Captain’s Prize Day, June 22nd/23rd. Agnes Deasy won the Lady Captain’s prize on June 10th. A shot gun start was an unusual feature of Norma Deasy’s big day event. Denis O’Keeffe tipped Agnes to win. We congratulated Kathleen O’Driscoll on winning the inaugural Bank of Ireland sponsored ‘Golden Girl’ competition for over 55’s at Thurles Golf Club in July. Rodney Price was the only manager to win this year when his McEvoy Shield won the coveted shield at Glengarriffe. ‘Rodney’s rabbits,’ we reported, were Seán Collins, Liam O’Flynn, Liam Twomey, Gerard O’Flynn, Jim Hurley, Billy O’Keeffe, Tony O’Leary. RFW was player manager. RFW Price showed some superb form when playing the long and treacherous 11th hole, now the 13th. He went O.B. without even reaching the tee markers, then proceeded to play the strokes of his life and when he chipped into the hole, he was able to sign for a miraculous 5! We also recorded how Kevin Callanan won his first major at the club, the Minor Scratch Cup. In another twist to this story, the Minor Scratch Cup had been sponsored by turkey supplier Kevin Callanan for years.
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1991
02/04/2009
CAPTAIN John G. O’Donovan
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PRESIDENT W.D. Barry
LADY CAPTAIN Mary Taaffe
In our New Year edition, we revealed that the Committee Dinner was held at the Pink Elephant, Harbour View, Kilbrittain for the previous twenty five years. Bill Wafer was the genial host. At the AGM it was proposed that a new membership category be created - that of Corporate Member. We exposed the antics of the Syndicate aka ’The Twelve Apostles’ who ran private competitions amongst themselves. Competition secretary JJ Riordan was finding it hard to match the Waterford glass prizes on offer to John Brady, Jim Brennan, Niall Coakley, Bernard O’Driscoll, Paddy Kehoe, Tony Egan, Tony Healy, Mick Hennessy, Pat Lehane, Rodney Price et alia. We also retold a wonderful shaggy dog story - true in every detail, we were led to believe. The characters in this episode of ‘Lassie Go Home’ are: Snowy…the loveable four-legged friend of BGC, Phyllis and Kitty …twin goddesses of destruction, Noelle …a naïve nymph from suburbia. Our informant tells us that there are many in the club who have taken a shiner to Snowy ever since she strayed and stayed at her new-found home at Castle Bernard. Ned saw to it she got a good staple diet, John ‘Doc’ gave her her three-in-one shots and Phil and Kitty, lacking rudimentary dieting knowledge, plied her with very appetising Bourneville chocolate squares. On a cold and windy night in November, the ladies, the quiet ones, arranged to offer Snowy her customary choco treat. A little earlier they had detected that her good self was inclined to scratch, so they laced the choco bar with an anti-scratch pill, leaving it, in its beautiful silver wrapper for the affectionate Snowy. Having gone off to do some routine personal maintenance, they return only to find the ‘medicine’ missing. O Mother of Divine …!!!! Left: Captain’s Prize John Hickey Right: President’s Prize - Finbar Murphy
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Billy Barry's President’s prize
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Later, Noelle complains that she is feeling a little off but not many take notice for she is always seeking attention. It was then that Phil and Kitty became fully aware of the disaster. Yes, the hasty naïve nymph from suburbia (Wilton, actually), had bit the bait, pill and all. Bandon’s answer to James Herriot John ‘Doc’ was consulted (no call-out fee this time), and he assuaged the distressed patient. We heard since that Noelle is constantly scratching her head, wondering why she was so foolish. Sure, Eve was tempted. We find it hard to imagine her scratching given that she consumed anti-scratching pills! We hope that our good friend has recovered fully from her ordeal. Meanwhile, the other two have a delightful shaggy dog story to tell. We finish this piece with a big bow-wow! Four members, Paddy Kehoe, Dónal O’Donovan, Mark Kehoe and Con Tobin, represented the club in the Irish final of the Teacher’s Scotch Whisky tournament and qualified for the final proper at famed Dalmahoy in Scotland. John Creith. Remember him? Well, he was our first Course Marshal. JJ Riordan, the hard-working competition secretary, never one to be trifled with, spotted that a returned card had the 19th down as a par 4. He refused to name the eejit! More’s the pity. Many golfers were reacting poorly to the addition of more bunkers on the course. We advised readers to invest in a sand wedge. Jim Meehan and Kevin Bowens, not satisfied with an early morning Sunday game at Bandon GC, headed off to Charleville for the Intermediate Scratch Cup. Their only problem was that the event was not scheduled until a week later. They say that golf is all about timing, now don’t they? WD Barry’s junior side failed to lower the colours of the President’s side in the eagerly-awaited match between junior and senior golfers at the club. The junior side included Darren O’Donoghue (Junior Captain), John Carroll Jnr., Noel Hurley, Kieran Hurley, Trevor O’Donoghue, John Minihane, James Burns, Adrian O’Donovan. Mark Flynn and Stephen Minihane were unavailable (hols.). The President WD had John Carroll, M.A.Neville, Jim Hurley, Don Carey, Pat McCarthy, JJ Riordan, Paddy Kehoe in the ranks of his star-studded side.
1992
CAPTAIN Denis O’Brien
PRESIDENT Niall Coakley
LADY CAPTAIN Irene Noonan
In response to numerous complaints re slow play, the competition secretary issued a circular letter to all members on the matter. Ex President WD Barry and Michael Minihane (GUI) received some ‘rude nudes’ in their Christmas post from the continent - Spain, actually. Ann Brophy and her sister Phil were congratulated on their opening of their Broley’s Coffee Shop in Bandon. Both had given many years of excellent service to the members of the club as part of the bar and catering team at the club at that time. Rhona Brennan was honoured with being made captain of the Cork County team ILGU. At the Men’s AGM held in December, the senior members revolted when it was proposed that all subscriptions should increase by £10 but that the senior sub. should increase by £20. Ned
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Hogan, Michael Young and Ken Hall spoke vehemently on this matter and the proposal was defeated. Those present are unlikely to forget Michael Young’s speech, laced with suitable gestures, ‘This is wrong! We cannot allow this to happen, Gentlemen. I plead with you!’ It is interesting to record the type and number of social events at the club then: Children’s Christmas Party, Karaoke Night, Poker Classic (x3), Captain’s Night, Captain’s Dinner, President’s Night, Putting Quiz, Race Night. Don Carey was the Social Officer. Times have certainly changed in the meantime. It was also agreed that, in future, only one Trustee would be automatically on committee. It happened in Bandon! The Queen’s £ note was refused in payment at the conclusion of a Thursday fourball. Terry Adams, a true blue, a red rose of York man, tendered the note and was flatly refused. How times have changed. The excellent work of Irene Noonan, Lady Captain, and Luarena Goggin was acknowledged. They very kindly and rightly arranged a regular Thursday morning get-together for the newcomers in the club. The new lady members were thrilled with the welcome.
Top: Exhibition Match
In our BGC Annual Awards, the following were some of the accolades presented: The Doggone Chocolate Rose Award: Noelle Twomey, The ’I’ll Treasure You for Ever ’ Award; Paddy Murray, The Peadar Ó Murchú ’Cúpla Focal’ Award: Niall Coakley, The MB Stafford ’You Could Have Done Better’ Award: Jimmy O’Leary/Finbarr McCarthy.
1993
CAPTAIN Michael B. Stafford
PRESIDENT Rodney W. Price
Above: T.N. Coakley, I. Noonan, D. O’Brien
LADY CAPTAIN Freda McClement
John McGinley aced the short 6th hole and Tony Egan performed a similar miracle at the par 3. James Burns took up a new position as green keeper at Dundrum GC, Co. Tipperary. The wily Jerry Mehigan beat the young Kieran Hurley 5 and 4 in the Muskerry Junior Scratch Cup. Jerry was to lose to the eventual winner later. Club member Dr. Declan Farrell, MD Schering-Plough Brinny was named Cork Person of the Year by Cork Examiner Publications. His snap was in ‘de Paper!’ In our Captain’s Prize edition, we listed the various nicknames that club members had and wondered if this was a record for a club. We asked readers to match the leasainm with the real name: Vintage, Grinder, Noodles, Nipper, Jumbo, Scallachi, Blackie, Fingers, The Brad, Sniffer, Plonker, Pat’s Hat, John Aki-Bua, Shirley Bassey, Super Sleuth, Fat Cat, You Little Sheeet!!! Jim Mackey, Tim Noonan, Norman Noonan, Com Murphy, Ger Crowley, Seán Collins, Terry Adams, Gene Hannigan, Tony Healy, Jim Slattery, John Bardy, Jack O’Sullivan, Pat McCarthy, Dave Fitzgerald, Jim O’Driscoll, Tony Egan. Written answers were to be submitted to ’Uzzi.’
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1994
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CAPTAIN Jim J. Riordan
PRESIDENT Seán Collins
LADY CAPTAIN Rhona Brennan
Rhona Brennan captained the Munster ladies team that competed in the Inter-pros played at Newcastle, Co. Down. We observed that Desmond Morris in Manwatch suggested that mankind is very idiosyncratic when it comes to expressing ourselves on the golf course. Pat Mac was noted for spitting on his hands prior to taking a stroke, Tony Egan manipulated his digits, Barry O’Neill did peculiar things with his tongue and even the padre Michael O’Mahony contorted himself into a knot of some kind before unleashing his monstrous power. Niall Coakley was noted for his propensity to double-tap when asked to chip at critical moments in his round. Mrs Gretchen Crosbie presenting the Cork Examiner trophy to Noel Coughlan, Captain. Also included: Donal Kiely, Captain Lee Valley G.C., Ricky Galvin, Jerry Mehigan, Ted Crosbie.
‘Yogi’ from Munich was reported as coming to Bandon Golf Club for years and had Paddy O’Boyle teach him to play golf. His first love was fishing. Paddy the Pro was charging £12.00 per lesson at that time. Great value. Some statistics from the PGA at that time were: Only 10% of golfers break 90, only 10% of golfers use the right clubs and only 10% of golfers have lessons to improve their game. 35 players qualified for the Captain’s play-off and, in an effort to make the play-off more manageable, only the exact ‘Top 21’ was allowed tee it up. Competition secretary Finbarr McCarthy broke new ground when he had a team of helpers, notably Dónal C. Burke, Dónal O’Donovan and John Carroll, use walkie-talkies during the match play stages of the Cork Intermediate Cup and report scores to ‘Ground Control’. An exhibition match on Thursday, August 25th, the eve of the President’s Prize, involved Irish internationals Mary McKenna, Eileen Rose Power (nee McDaid) and Mary Sheehy, daughter of Niall Sheehy of Kerry football fame. Don O’Sullivan’s sudden departure from the bar and catering at the club took the members by utter surprise and, perhaps, the committee too. The editor failed to reveal the identity of the male streaker who, when confronted by an icecold shower, sought authority. Poor Paddy O’Boyle was the closest in the Pro Shop. Some junior members putting on the putting green looked on bemused while a lady’s eyes were said to popped white. Barry McCarthy won the Captain’s Prize in spectacular fashion from John Collins. Both played off 13 then. John Carroll won the gross - again!
1995
CAPTAIN Séamus O’Mahony
PRESIDENT Don Carey
LADY CAPTAIN June Murphy
Séamus O’Mahony is the seventh son of a family of twelve. He was club treasurer in 1994 and is a qualified accountant and stated that the Club Pro-Am. was the highlight of his year to June 30th, Captain‘s Prize Day. Michael Tobin and John ’Doc’ O’Driscoll were in recovery that summer after undergoing major heart surgery.
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Among the nine Pros who took part in the Pro Shoot Out were Liam Higgins, Waterville, Jimmy Hegarty, Rathmore N.I., Paul Leonard, Dunmurry, John McHenry, European Tour, Paddy McGurk, Baltray. Paddy O’Boyle also took part. He was Captain of the Irish PGA in 1995. It was reported that competition secretary Finbarr McCarthy was considering introducing an Invitation Open Fourball on Thursday evenings. Nell Walsh, the ladies’ competition secretary, was complimented on her arranging lessons for ’new ladies’ to the club. Among those who took tuition from the pro were Norma Hurley, Alice O’Leary, Miriam O’Driscoll, Hilary O’Leary, Rose Lynch, Ann O’Sullivan, Angela Kelleher, Betty McCarthy, Kathleen O’Mahony, Noreen Langford and Paggy Brennan.
1995 - Don Carey, Seamus O’Mahony and June Murphy
South of Ireland Petroleum sponsored the Pro-Am Shoot-Out at the Club which had joint winners in Jimmy Hegarty and Liam Higgins. Both shot two under par in tough, bouncy conditions. Siobhán Waugh won June Murphy’s Lady Captain’s Prize with a 33 nett, off 33. The Lady Captain also received the Freda McClement Perpetual Memorial Trophy from a niece and nephew of Freda who was captain in 1993 – a sad loss to the club. Michael Halpin took on a lady in some Alcatel match play competition and suffered the indignity of losing the match at the 13th. The lady eagled the 13th hole, we were informed. His excuse was that the lady in question played off a 6 handicap once didn’t save him from the mob.
1996
CAPTAIN Jim O’Driscoll
PRESIDENT Jack O’Regan
LADY CAPTAIN Angela Barrett
It was announced that new computer terminals in both the men’s and ladies’ locker rooms were to be installed. On the men’s side, Ger O’Mahony, the competition secretary, was responsible for this joint leap into the IT age. The club captain asked that members with complaints should make them to the appropriate officer and not directly to the course, bar and catering staff. The well-known ‘Baldy Barber’ Mick Moriarty raised over £2,000 for the Telecom Éireann Telethon when he shaved over two stone from his weight for the event. In our President’s Prize edition, we revealed that Jack O’Regan was an all-round sportsman, having played Gaelic at Croke Park, soccer at Dalymount Park and rugby football at Lansdowne Road. On the eve of flying off on holidays to sunnier climes, Dónal Crowley won the captain’s prize on the weekend of June 28th/29th. He had a nett 64 and had one to spare over Ger Tobin. Con Morrison was 3rd, Jim Mackey was leading qualifier and best gross went to John Carroll. Noel Coglan showed his great research skills by writing up a history of Courtmacsherry Golf Club. Not published, we understand.
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1997
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CAPTAIN Tony O’Leary
PRESIDENT Norman Noonan
LADY CAPTAIN Ann O’Regan
Sadly, we have no copy of either a captain’s or president’s prize edition for year. However, a ‘Golfing Roundup’ as it was called was produced for the finale of the Mixed Foursomes at the club. We cannot remember who produced it, but we suspect Paddy Kehoe. It did have loads of interesting details. There was a profile of the then President Norman Noonan. The lifestyle of bookies was assessed. It contained a notice re 10 Year Memberships which invited members to apply to the office for either the £2,000 Ordinary or the £3,000 Family membership. The cheque in the appropriate amount had to be lodged with the office by September 14th. Vice-Captain Frank O’Leary was congratulated on his efforts to revive the Thursday evening fourball and it was reported that up to 70 golfers played regularly during the summer months. The sympathy of all the club was extended to Martha Hall and the Hall family on the unexpected death of Ken. He had served as Captain in 1982 and President in 1987. The Golfing Roundup also recorded a magnificent hole-in-one by Kitty Cotter at the 105 metre 6th hole. She used her trusty 5-iron. She was 83 years young at the time. A profile of the Lady Captain, Ann O’Regan, revealed that she was a native of Millstreet and married a fellow-banker. It was also reported that Seán Collins, Scillachi, must be one of the unluckiest golfers ever as he was struck by a golf ball for the third time - a golfing hat-trick, as it were.
Norman Noonan, President & Tony O’Leary, Captain - 1997 Right: Presidents Prize. Jacinta Kennedy, Jim McKeon President 1998, Antionette McKeon
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1998
CAPTAIN Frank O’Leary
PRESIDENT James McKeon
LADY CAPTAIN Mary O’Farrell
The deaths of Paddy Philpott, Barry O’Neill, Tomás Cullinane and Ken Hall were recorded. Barry O’Neill had been club secretary from 1983 to 1996. Niall Morrissey was exposed as the new man on the block as regards long distance from any tee, not necessarily in a straight line.
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We reported that Kenny McGarry’s handicap had plummeted from 25 to 12 in the space of six weeks – a major advance for the young junior member with a ‘brrrr’ in his game. The chairman of Bandon Town Commissioners, Con Murphy, was approved as a member. Another begging letter was received by the handicap sub-committee seeking an increase in handicap for Noel Coglan. The request and the accompanying lobbying was rightly dismissed, Soon afterwards Noel went and shot 40 points on a very windy, trying conditions and got himself cut to 12. Noel is 70 years young and likes to let off a volley or two from time to time. Des and Norma Burke were congratulated on their excellent organisation of the Friday mixed foursomes. The death of Frankie Kelly was recorded. He was sometime electrician to the club, a member who seldom played golf but was a fantastic entertainer on the piano.
1999
CAPTAIN John Donegan
PRESIDENT Dónal C. Burke
LADY CAPTAIN Luarena Goggin
The Irishians among the seanóirí were set a poser by Ned Hogan: ‘What is a spéirbhean?’ Peadar Ó Murchú, Micheál Ó Tuama or Seán O’Callaghan, all Connradh na Gaeilge people, failed to provide the answer. Ned obliged by telling all and sundry upstairs that a spéirbhean is ‘a bit on the side!!!!’ Maith thú, Ned. The editor poked fun at the composition of the McEvoy Shield team that was reported to have finished at least fifteen shots behind the winner and had taken all day to do just that. We reported that ‘Leonard (John) made the team because of his singing, Lane (Dr Martin) because of his first aid experience, Kelleher (Bill) because he’d spot a nut a mile away and Houlihan (Billy) was the model player. Young (Michael) got the sympathy vote from RFW (Price), Collins (Seán) receiving the old pals nod. Desmond (Jerry) and O’Sullivan (Noel) gave the proceedings a certain gravitas, having spent a lifetime teasing out and agonizing over minor and major legal issues. Other than that, the team was picked on merit and performed accordingly.
Left: D.C. Burke, Ian Stafford, D. O’Donovan, J. Donegan Right: President’s Prize Donal Burke
We related that the fixtures book of 1970 asserted that ‘the President and Captain shall have precedence in starting in all competitions and matches confined to the members of the club.’ The captain’s prize was won by Peadar Ó Murchú who stunned the revellers at the presentation with an acceptance speech in Irish only.
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The young Stewart Sherratt (11) won the Intermediate Scratch Cup with a 77 gross. 102 members and 96 visitors played. Sponsor John Seaman and John Carroll, competition secretary, were very pleased. Paddy O’Boyle introduced some buggies to the course for the first time; members could only use them in competition with written permission of the committee. A medical cert. was also needed. The editor, in his ignorance, reckoned that anyone with ‘Alzheimer’s Disease, STD, Brucellosis, CJD, or such minor ailments, as dysentery, lockjaw, gout or gangrene’ might also qualify! The appointment of John Davis as course marshal put the fear of God in everyone, member and visitor alike. His was a summer contract only. He earned his pay very well. Paddy O’Boyle gave a guided tour of Bandon golf course to a man, who along with his father, designed Bandon Oregon (USA) golf course. He was very impressed with the course and especially the ‘drop hole’ par 3 6th.
2000
CAPTAIN Jim Hurley
PRESIDENT John Carroll
LADY CAPTAIN Lucy O’Mahony
All club members were circularized with the club’s Dress Code. Dónal Murphy, a nuisance on the course on a Wednesday, Ladies’ Day, holed in one at the 6th. He got a mention on 96/103FM. Michael Halpin, his accomplice in crime, was the only one to receive ‘a wee drop’ of anything, we were told. The speed and slickness of the putting surface on the 13th green was confirmed at 10.5. In our President’s Prize edition, we congratulated Alison Kingston and Kate Davis on their achievements in the Irish Girls’ championship at Limerick GC. Alison made the last sixteen, following a tough stroke play qualifier, while Kate, a non-qualifier, won the Fletcher Cup. J. Carroll, L. O’Mahony, J. Hurley
Donie O’Donovan visited Mother England, the mainland, and Old Trafford for the cricket and donned the spats and gave it a lash at the Oval. Notions! Jim Hurley had wonderful weather for his Captain’s Prize but his determination to ‘trick up’ the course, especially the 16th green, for the play-off had devastating consequences for many qualifiers.- among them Jack O’Sullivan and Tomás Bambury. The eventual winner, a very worthy winner, Jim ’JJ’ Riordan had no such problems at the 16th, securing a strong par at the hole in the qualifier and having an outrageous two in the play-off to guarantee that Jim Hurley’s fabulous 1st prize was destined for the New Road. Jim H. sought to defend the pin placement at the 16th but he had few listeners. JJ had no complaints. Ann Twomey won the Lady Captain’s prize with borrowed clubs from Dan Crowley. Strange!
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2001
02/04/2009
CAPTAIN Kevin O’Leary
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PRESIDENT Michael Young
LADY CAPTAIN Ber Canniffe
We offered congratulations to John Carroll on his appointment as a Munster senior selector. And, we welcomed our new club administrative secretary, Paula Reardon to the club. She had spent the previous four years in Scotland – working and golfing. Her pet cat, we revealed, was called ‘Alfie.’ The EGM held earlier had agreed to the creation of three new holes down by the Castle. The overall presentation was done by Michael Stafford, chairman of the course development committee, supported by Tim Lucey, club treasurer, and the captain, Kevin O’Leary. The threeyear levy introduced was £100, £75 and £75. A special offer of £200 was also available to members who paid up by June. Bandon GC was the venue for the Garda All-Ireland Inter-Divisional Golf championship played on July 10th. The team was managed by Jim Slattery. Kevin O’Leary and Michael Young entertained the Garda top brass [Commissioner Pat Byrne, Regional Commissioner Éamonn Keegan and Deputy Commissioner Pat O’Toole]. Ber Canniffe graced the front cover of our lady Captain’s Prize edition – and in glorious colour too – a first time for the Castigator to honour the ladies with a special edition. Eily McSweeney was recognised at the most senior lady in captaincy terms as she was Lady Captain in 1964. We reproduced the names of all the lady captains who were alive and active in the club at that time. Mixed team manager Jimmy O’Leary was said to be looking for crossdressers, ‘who looked like a woman, but played like a man.’ Michael Young’s President’s Prize edition [Editorial: Pat MCarthy/Dónal Burke] came with a warning to members about the safety of their clubs in the precincts on the clubhouse. The captain suffered a loss and Billy Houlihan had a very close call. Junior Officer Con Tobin announced Stewart Sherratt as his junior captain The Captain’s Dinner at the Club will be remembered for the young Jim ‘Jumbo’ O’Driscoll losing his bearings and welcoming everyone to Bandon Rugby Club!!!!
2002
CAPTAIN Donie O’Donovan
PRESIDENT Paddy Kehoe
LADY CAPTAIN Margaret O’Brien
Resting on their laurels - B. O’Neill, D.O’Keeffe, E. O’Driscoll, M. Young
Dónal Burke was again a valued member of the production team for the Captain’s Prize edition. Noel Coghlan wrote a begging letter to the GUI HQ at Mallow and got a dispensation to ride a buggy with impunity. Fellow seniors Robert Smyth and John O’Dwyer refused to bow the knee and were proud to walk the fairways. No softies, they. John ‘Doc’ O’Driscoll was on hand to welcome Lions and Scotland rugby legend Gavin Hastings and eleven other Scottish friends to the club in May.
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Paddy O’Boyle, Michael Stafford and M.A. Neville played the three new ‘Castle holes’ and found it a great challenge. The Pro played best and finished level par for the Par 4, Par 4 and Par 3. He made the green in regulation on all three. They played off the blues – back. Nice play, Paddy. An EGM was held on June 6th to seek approval for Phase 2 of the proposed Course Development programme. It entailed changes to the 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th and 13th holes. Kitty Cotter, a senior member, was again reported traversing the fairways with her pencil bag under her ‘oxter’. No begging letter from Kitty to the ILGU seeking permission to use a ride-on. The President’s Prize edition was published in late August and celebrated the Irish Mixed Foursomes team winning the Munster title and pennant defeating Carraig an Súir, fairly comfortably, and Woodstock GC in the process. It was nail-biting stuff. We reported: We shall never forget the finale as Kieran Hurley and Hilda Hegarty conjured up a winning par at the 18th to keep our hopes alive, John Carroll and Eileen O’Leary having played beautiful golf to gain our first valuable point. Dónal O’Donovan and Lia Walsh were beaten early and this left our hopes and dreams in the hands of Bernard O’Driscoll and Noelle Twomey, playing at No. 5. Word for the course was that they were in trouble, two down, but they rallied well and won the next three and stood 1 up on the 18th tee, an incredible turnabout. Two marvellous drives from the ladies split the fairway and Bernard O’Driscoll played a wonderful second on to the green, ten feet from the cup, we seemed home and dry. However, the Woodstock man played a majestic shot to about six feet and we held our collective breaths. Eventually, Noelle lipped the hole with her putt and the lady from Ennis coaxed in a fantastic birdie putt to put us down the 19th. Woodstock found the rough after what PG Wodehouse might call a ‘foozled drive’ and the ever-reliable Bernard rifled his three-wood down the middle and the Bandon ball sat smugly on the fairway. Woodstock failed to make the green in two and, after several deep drags on the John Player, Noelle hit a brilliant shot to the front edge of the green carefully avoiding the gaping jaws of several bunkers. To cut a long story short, Bernard chipped to ten feet past the hole and the non-plussed Noelle slotted the putt to win the hole, the match and the tie. Jubilation and hugs all round - tears too. Belfast beckoned. Michael Stafford, JV Murphy and Carol Minihane played in the morning match versus Carraig an Súir GC. Managers Jimmy O’Leary and Ann O’Regan, using group psychology techniques from somewhere, boosted many an ego and calmed troubled waters en route to Belfast via Skibbereen, two matches, and Limerick GC, two matches. AIB Bandon kindly agreed to sponsor club sweaters for the panel for the final. In the Fred Daly matchplay competition [under 18] played at Cahir Golf Club, the Bandon team of Kenny McGarry, Stewart Sherratt, Billy O’Boyle and Brian O’Donovan, gave a marvellous display before going under to Limerick GC, led by Irish international Cian MacNamara. Con Tobin was the team manager; Shane Lawlor, the reserve. Alison Kingston was selected on the Irish Girls’ Under 19 panel for the home internationals to be played at Hermitage GC. She was also a member of the club’s Smurfit team which sought to defend its All-Ireland title won at Bangor GC in the previous year, to widespread acclaim. Rhona Brennan managed the team which also included Kate Davis and Elizabeth Brennan. Susan O’Leary was reserve. Eileen Scannell, winner of the Lady Captain’s prize also won the inaugural Captain’s Prize to Ladies. We wondered if the Ballineen-based pharmacist was on drugs.
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On the men’s front, young guns Patrick McCarthy and Stewart Sherratt teamed up in the club foursomes and trounced all the men. They played Gus O’Brien and David Crowley [Hillcrest] in the final. They accounted for Finbarr McCarthy and Kevin O’Leary in the semi-final while Gus and David put Bernard O’Driscoll and Brendan Gaynor to the sword. Kenny McGarry became the first player at Bandon GC to become a scratch golfer, a major achievement and accolade.
2003
CAPTAIN Finbarr McCarthy
PRESIDENT Michael Stafford
LADY CAPTAIN Miriam Murphy
The membership of the proposed Centenary subcommittee had not been announced when going to press for the Captain’s Prize edition. However, Margaret Shorten was anxious to receive memorabilia from members. Cups, trophies, press clippings, photographs, etc. would be of special value to the sub-committee, she stated. The new swipe card system was fully operational for all singles competitions. Members were not allowed to enter competitions but through the card system alone. The provisional indexes and order of holes for the course upon completion of the work on the three new holes at the Castle were announced. The three Head Honchos at the club, Michael Stafford, Finbarr McCarthy and Miriam Murphy qualified 3rd at the BMW qualifier at Killarney and were enjoying the tantalizing prospect of going to the K Club for the national finals.
F. McCarthy, M. Murphy, M. Stafford
The Lady Captain Miriam Murphy and her committee were congratulated on raising thousands of Euro for charity. Margaret Sheehan and Bernard O’Driscoll were also complimented on the magnificent work they were doing in promoting the Friday Mixed Foursomes. Low handicapper Jack O’Sullivan was wished well on his taking up the position of Course Ranger at the club. Ann O’Regan was the worthy winner of the Lady Captain’s Prize after a nine-hole play-off, the first held in the club for many, many years. The official opening of the Re-Designed Course to take place on the August Bank Holiday Weekend, August 2nd/3rd. A three-person competition was to be held on both days – no casual golf was to be allowed. Michael Stafford’s President’s Prize was held on August 29th/30th. In our edition for this major prize we revealed that Michael was a low single figure golfer, a past captain of Portsalon GC, Co. Donegal and an Honorary Life Member of the club. He joined Bandon in 1976. Paula Reardon’s replacement as club secretary was pending as Paula had decided to move on, to Scotland, actually. Bernard O’Driscoll was the winner of the Junior Scratch Cup with a score of 71. It represented a new course record for Bandon GC. We reported that the refurbishment of the upstairs area
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M. B. Stafford, President - 2003
was ongoing. Michael Young, the doyen of interior designers, was responsible for the new décor. The death of Honorary Life Associate member, Mrs, Bunny Glancy, was acknowledged. She was predeceased by her husband, Mick, a former captain and president of the club The nine-hole play-off holes for the President’s Prize were named as 1-8 plus the 18th. This was the first time that the new, improved course was available.
2004
CAPTAIN Bernrard O’Driscoll
PRESIDENT Michael Halpin
LADY CAPTAIN Margaret Sheehan
Mary O’Mahony, forever mindful of proper etiquette on the course, rang the bell at the 2nd hole. The only problem was that the bell was in the rough close to the 150 yard marker and she drove into it! Timmy O’Keeffe swore that he was innocent of any involvement in the fiasco. Dónal Burke offered the same alibi. The course was deemed by the Castigator to be in ‘in fine fettle for the Captain’s Prize.’ The new 13th was likely to be in play on the big day. The ‘team of the year 2002’ Paddy Kehoe [President], Margaret O’Brien [Lady Captain} and Donie O’Donovan [Captain] donated twelve beautiful apple trees to the club. Kieran Hurley [0] shot a new course record score 68 in the Kevin Silke sponsored competition held on May 9th. He also won the Senior Scratch Cup at Kinsale GC. The club offered for sale a number of old computers since the new computer system would have an IBM server with HP pc’s running Windows XP and 98. All the high-tech software was supplied by Genesys Techologies from Northern Ireland; Colie O’Brien (and his SOS company), a respected club member, won the contract to supply the relevant hardware. The introduction of the EPOS system, electronic point of sale, for bar, men’s and ladies’ handicaps was an added bonus to the club which was also keen to update its main office technology. Michael Halpin, President, revealed that he was a Life Member of Arklow Golf Club in our President’s Prize edition. We celebrated the success of the ladies’ minor team reaching the Munster semi-final.
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The ladies made further strides in the club when it was noted that the ladies’ tee box at the 9th was actually behind the men’s one. Backwards the sisterhood was going! Beautician Kate Davis was congratulated on her new course record of 74. The ladies’ par is 73. Kenny McGarry was called up for the Munster senior team and was down to play in the inter-provincials at Portmarnock GC in August. Brian O’Donovan was also honoured with selection on the Munster Boys’ team. They were to play in Warrenpoint GC, NI., Ronan Rafferty’s and Peter O’Hagan’s old club. The landings of both exit stairways were designated smoking areas in response to Minister Micheál Martin’s smoking in public places ban. The Bandon 400 competition, generously sponsored by John Seaman and Cork Rentavan, was won by MA Neville/Noel O’Connor/Tony Murphy.
2005
CAPTAIN Pat McCarthy
PRESIDENT Paddy O’Flynn
LADY CAPTAIN Lia Walsh
Finbarr McCarthy, Michael Halpin, Raymond O’Neill, Seamus O’Mahony.
Paddy Kehoe produced and edited the Captain’s Prize edition, and a fine first-sub he made too. Ann O’Rourke, used to some barking dogs at home, no doubt, was first to react when a stray mongrel fell into lake at the 18th. The others were gob-smacked, but Ann gently caught him by the collar and led him to safety. Father Eddie Collins’ dip in the lake at 18th was hailed as ‘Baptism by Immersion.’ Raymond O’Neill’s early morning travails in the lake at the 6th were also recalled. The retirement of John O’Dwyer from membership of the club was noted with regret as he had been a staunch, popular and loyal friend of the club for decades. Waiting for the playoff
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Bandon Golf Club’s new website address was given as www.bandongolfclub.com It was also revealed that plans for the refurbishment of the clubhouse were progressing well. The President’s Prize edition was noteworthy for the inclusion of several photographs - in full colour! Michael and Mary Halpin were the club’s qualifiers for the Cork Examiner mixed foursomes competition played on the August Bank holiday Monday. Kenny McGarry was selected on the Munster Youths team for the inter-pros at Dundalk GC. He played senior cup with Bandon and reached the last eight in the South of Ireland championship at Lahinch. Another young gun, Brian O’Donovan, was equally active and impressive on the circuit. He played superbly in the Irish Senior Cup over four matches, finished 7th in the Munster Boys’ championship at East Clare GC and 20th in the Leinster Boys at Skerries GC. He also made the semifinal of the Connacht Boys matchplay championship. Perhaps, his greatest achievement was in being able and willing to play 36 holes of golf on eight successive days! Billy O’Boyle, one of our best young golfers at the time, declared that he was joining his father Paddy in the ranks of the PGA. Rhona Brenna acted as selector to the British and Irish team that took part in the Vagliano tournament in Chantilly, France. She was congratulated on her appointment. It was revealed that President Paddy O’Flynn was once a member of Finchley GC, London. Baroness Maggie Thatcher represented the borough in Westminster. No! No! No! Finbarr McCarthy won the Golfer of the year and the Club Matchplay beating john McGinley on the 8th tie hole – a new record. Gus O’Brien was photographed on the links at Ballybunion Old Course having just had a holein-one at the tough 12th.
2006
CAPTAIN Gerard O’Mahony
PRESIDENT Jim Hurley
LADY CAPTAIN Paula Reardon
Members, wishing to pay their 2007 subscription by Direct Debit were asked to contact the Office. Jerry O’Donovan, Honoarary Secretary Men’s Club, issued an edict, ‘Any members using a ride-on buggy in club competitions shall not receive a prize or a ‘point one’. Exemption was given to those who produced a doctor’s cert. to the Men’s Committee. The 21st holding of the Bandon Junior Scratch Cup, sponsored by Brian, June and Robert Merrick and Bandon Office Supplies/Bandon Printing, was held and the winning score was 72 – one over the par for the course. Frank Flynn, and the two Anns, Buckley and Twomey, were congratulated for their marvellous work on the Friday Night mixed foursomes. Competition night of June 23rd was completed with a very successful BBQ. Jerry Fitzgerald and John Leonard, Bank of Ireland, were the kind sponsors. Mick Stafford was ‘on fire’ against Skibbereen Golf Club in the Senior West Cork Shield – he had four birdies in the first seven holes to kill off his opponents in the 2nd leg. The Parent Committee was anxious that members parked their vehicles sensibly between the new white lines in the car park in the interests of safety and the free flow of traffic to and from the clubhouse.
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Waiting for the playoff
Carol and John Minihane were congratulated on the birth of their triplets. It was recorded as ‘their best mixed foursomes score to date!’ Jim Madden, course superintendent, on his departure from Bandon Golf Club wrote on the major developments he had overseen at the club since his arrival in March 1987. Denis and Mary Ryan, Subaru Main Dealers, were the generous sponsors of the Club Am.Am. for the second year running. Vice-Captain Lewis O’Mahony and his team were commended for their work on the event. On the instruction of the President, Jim Hurley, Mr Jim Madden was thanked on behalf of the Captains and Management Committee and all at Bandon Golf, for his major contribution to the development of Bandon Golf Club over a twenty-year period. Jim Madden severed his connection with Bandon GC on Friday, July 7th, 2006. A special edition for Paula’ Reardon’s Captain’s Prize recorded Holes-in-One by Helen Twohig (18th) and Paschaline Fitzgerald (11th). Siobhán McGrath celebrated a special birthday with a trip to Augusta National GC for the Masters. Ann O’Regan, House Officer, was praised for her outstanding work in giving us a clubhouse worthy of a five-star rating and Kathleen O’Driscoll’s ‘little horse with a big heart’ won the Foxhunters Steeplechase Challenge Cup at Cheltenham. Carl O’Mahony succeeded brother Michael as captain and thereby complete an O’Mahony three-in-a-row at the club of Lewis, Michael and Carl. Curtis Cup selector Rhona Brennan wrote of her experiences with the team at Bandon, Portland, Oregon, USA. She was fulsome in her praise of the Bandon Dunes course and the welcome received there. Ricky Galvin, Malcolm Brimble and Jim ‘Jumbo’ O’Driscoll were mentioned as the ‘Naked Tenors’ at the club every Sunday evening such is their propensity to sing in the showers. What a shower! Finbarr O’Sullivan was added to the list too. Over 300 golfers played in the Captain’s Prize 2006. John McGinley announced the introduction of the club’s website at www.bandongolfclub.com John O’Connell had a hole-in-one on Thursday, July 27th, Ger O’Halloran won the Lady Captain’s Prize to Men and Margaret Donegan won Ger O’Mahony’s prize to the ladies.
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CAPTAIN Lewis OMahony
PRESIDENT John Donegan
LADY CAPTAIN Ann Leonard
Kevin McCarthy was welcomed as Course Ranger in our Captain’s Prize edition. On a more serious level, the deaths of John Keating, Tadhg Murphy, Frankie Cotter and Jerry Hourihane were recorded with sadness. Maura Murphy was sent good wishes for a speedy recovery from illness. Niall Coakley and his centenary subcommittee sought memorabilia, cups, etc. from club members that might be linked to the club over its history. Snaps, prints and other stuff were also sought for a centenary publication. Noel McNamara, a relative of our first pro/greenkeeper Johnny Curran, was approved as a new member. We recalled that Ricky Galvin got the draw from hell when drawn against a mere ten year old in the Jimmy Bruen Shield versus Skibbereen. Nothing he and his partner Kieran O’Shea could do to bustle the youngster. One wag suggested that they should have told him a few ghost stories! Brian O’Donovan won the inaugural Bandon Senior Scratch Cup sponsored by Declan O’Neill Finiancial Services. His winning score was a marvellous 69. The membership of the Centenary Committee was announced: Niall Coakley [Chairman}, John Donegan [President], John McGinley, Margaret Shorten, Jim Hurley, Elma O’Brien, Dónal Murphy [Honorary Secretary]. We also had some golfing terms explained: ‘A Denis Wise’ = A nasty five-footer! ‘A Rock Hudson’ = Looked straight but it wasn’t, ‘An Adolf Hitler’ = Two shots in the bunker! ‘A Gerry Adams’ = Playing a provisional, ‘A Princess Diana’ = Shouldn’t have taken a driver, ‘An OJ Simpson’ = Got away with it! ‘A Michael Jackson’ = Gradually fading. John Hurley played a splendid round of golf in some competition at the club and headed off home with the card in his pocket. Nice one, John. Golf makes a fool of us all. There are several crafty left-handers in the club – Paddy O’Flynn, Vincent Sweetnam, Ger O’Mahony, Brendan O’Neill, Brian McCarthy, Tomás Bambury, Timothy McCarthy, Ger O’Halloran, Jim Nyhan, Finbarr McCarthy, to name a few. RFW Price was congratulated on winning the ‘Twelve Apostles’ competition for the first time in 20 years. The competition was run in conjunction with the Captain’s Prize. Paddy O’Flynn won the Category A section on Senior Open Day at the club and Donie O’Donovan, defying age and other infirmities, won the Captain’s Prize; Timmy O’Regan was 2nd. John Seaman continued his quest to win a classic, a team event, anything when he drafted father and son, Brendan and Fergal O’Neill, and Joe Kelly (USA) into his side. The three lads failed to deliver. The Men’s Club experimented with a new option in the weekly competition when it gave members an option to play off either the Whites or Blues. The take-up for each was not available but Flor Crowley was credited with winning the white competition with 39 points; A. Kedellan won the blue competition with 40 points. Blood brothers Oliver and Finbarr Nagle, long-time members of Bandon Golf Club, came to the fore when they combined well to record a victory in a club fourball competition. The new course ranger was spotted practising regularly in the company of young gun Conor Mehigan. Billy McGarry’s retirement from An Garda Síochána was noted and the success of the JOD open singles held on Thursdays throughout the summer season was also noted. Jim O’Driscoll, Men’s Club secretary, was the generous sponsor of the weekly competition.
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Finally, the number of male members with club handicaps was given as 678. The Murphy surname is the most common in the club (29), Terry Adams is the first name on the list and the last belongs to Michael Young. Kieran Hurley was our lowest handicapper (+2) and our highest handicappers were Kevin Bowens, Noel Coghlan and Yves Chaillet (all 28). The President’s Prize edition also carried an notice for An Internet-based Timesheet Presentation to Members by Webgolf to be held on Tuesday, September 4th. Webgolf was offering the club a three-month free trial of the system. Competition Secretary Trevor O’Donoghue was anxious to receive some feedback from members.
2008
CAPTAIN Michael O’Mahony
PRESIDENT Gerry Fitzgerald
LADY CAPTAIN Rose Lynch
We reported that the Captain, Michael O’Mahony, course officer Donie O’Donovan and course superintendent James Burns finished 2nd in the John Deere sponsored outing at Killarney GC. Thanks to the winning team not being legal in some way our lads got the nod and booked their flights for Turnbury Golf Club [Scotland] later in the summer. John Carroll was honoured with a place on the Irish Seniors team. Past captain John Hickey [1981] died and was mourned by his many friends at Bandon Golf Club. In our President’s Prize edition Jim and Gretta Hurley were congratulated on celebrating 25 years of married blisters, bliss!! Jim swore that he was Gretta’s swing coach. It was rumoured that the incoming captain Carl O’Mahony was about to issue P45s to all the managers who failed dismally to give his brother Michael any glory during his year at the helm. The captain and Men’s Club committee discussed the issue of the club colours in the context of the Centenary Year and made their collective views known to the Parent Club. A mini-survey, a vox pop, was to be taken on a Sunday morning. The current light blue versus the traditional navy blue was the point of tension between both committees, it seems. John and Theresa Seaman headed off to Portimau in Portugal for their daughter’s wedding and took several club members with them. TJ Scannell won the Clifton Cup, finishing two feet from the cup at the 19th hole. Trevor O’Donoghue recorded a hole in one at the 11th hole during the Bandon GAA Classic. We revealed that John O’Driscoll had 9 holes in one during his golfing life! He told the Castigator that he aced every par 3 on the course, old and new. John McGinley and others on the Centenary Sub-Committee were anxious to recover any old cups/trophies that were linked to the club. An urgent appeal was made for the Hudson Memorial Shield first presented in 1967, the Jim Neville Memorial Cup presented in 1967, the Good Cup presented in 1956, the Jones Trophy presented to the winner of the club championship and the John Curran Memorial Trophy. Michael Stafford was congratulated on winning the 0-15 category in the Munster Seniors Open played on August 5th. Jim Riordan’s Senior Cup side, though enjoying home advantage, failed to topple a fine Lee Valley GC. Though fielding handicap players of +2, +2, Scr., 1 and 1, Jim’s side still had a combined handicap higher that the Lee Valley lads. The team was Kieran Hurley[+2], Kenny McGarry [+2], Donie O’Donovan [Scr.], John Carroll [1] and Brian O’Donovan [1].
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Father and son, Donie and Brian O’Donovan, and Kieran Hurley played in the South of Ireland championship at Lahinch Golf Club. Donie went furthest of the three and survived until the Monday. Munster manager John Carroll was an interested spectator. A record 47 seniors played in the Billy Barry Memorial competition held on Tuesday, August 12th. The Memorial was first played for in 1993. Jack Barriscale was the inaugural winner. Jack Barriscale, John Cronin and Barry McCarthy have the distinction of winning the coveted trophy twice! Bandon's King Puck in his Castle - Denis Scannell, Examiner Publications
Footnote: There you have it. Twenty years of the Castle Bernard Castigator in a nutshell. Perhaps, we could donate the fifty or so issues consulted for this retrospective to the club for safe keeping in our burgeoning archives. We hope you got an honourable mention. If not, do something stupid or great and we’ll definitely put you and your antics in print! Finally, it was common practice for the editor to include the following, or something along these lines, in each edition: The editor wishes to thank all those who supplied ‘copy’ to this edition of the ‘Castle Bernard Castigator’ which is intended to be a light-hearted look as ourselves and should, in no circumstances, be taken seriously. All errors and omissions are mine. Dispose of carefully. The views expressed are those of the editor alone and may not be in agreement with those of the President, Captains, Officers and Committees.
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Running the tote. Place your bets.... Paddy Kehoe and punters
Far Left: Tony O’Leary with Mary O’Farrell, Frank O’Leary and John Donegan. Left: A lonely Ronnie Murphy must have set the odds too low!
The “odds man” Paddy Kehoe taking Johnny Coughlan’s bet.
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Rhona Brennan (Hegarty) Bandon’s most successful Lady Golfer. At the age of 16 in 1974 she was the youngest ever lady to attain international honours - a record she still holds. Irish International 1974/1981, European Team Member 1979 (Ireland won) & 1981, Munster Team 1972-1982, 1984, Captain 1993-1994, Munster Senior Champion 1976, 1979, 1981, Irish Girls Champion Irish Selector 1999-2003, International Selector (Curtis Cup & Vagliano Trophy) 2003-2007, I.L.G.U. Central Council Member 2003-2005. 1994 - Lady Captain of Bandon Golf Club. 2003 - Honourary Life Member of Bandon Golf Club in recognition of her outstanding achievements.
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Internationals John Carroll Bandon’s first and only men’s senior representative at international level. 1989
Captain - Bandon Golf Club
2000
President - Bandon Golf Club
2002/03
Selector - Munster Inter Provincial Team
2004
Manager - Munster Inter Provincial Team
2005-08
Captain - Munster Inter Provincial Team
2007
Inter Provincial Winner with Munster
2008
Irish International Seniors Team Winners of the European Team Championship and Home Internationals in Wales
Ian Stafford Ian was the first Boys International from Bandon 1999
Irish Boys Home International Team
Ian is now a professional golfer attached to Kinsale and providing an excellent Golf teaching academy in the new driving range in Innishannon.
Alison Kingston Alison was Bandon’s second Lady Golfer after Rhona to represent Bandon Golf Club at Girls International Level 2003
Member of the first Bandon Team (Mens or Ladies) to win an All Ireland title - the Smurfit Junior Girls Team Title
2004
Irish Girls International Team
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The in Ban Real Golfers don G olf Clu b Player Handi Mens ( cap Listing 2008)
Kieran Hurley Putting out on the 18th
PLAYE R NAM E McGar r y, Ken n y Hurley , Kieran O’Don ovan, D onie Carroll , John O’Don ovan, B rian Jnr McCar thy, Da v e Power, John Mehiga n, Con or Tobin, Gerard
Ladies
Brenna n, Rho na Kingsto n, Aliso n Kilmar tin, Lilli an Leonar d, Ann e Scriven , Mar y Brophy , Ann Miniha ne, Car ol Reardo n, Paula McCar thy, Ca rina
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7 7 8 9 9 9 9 10 10
H/CAP +2 +1 0 1 1 1 2 2 2
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Bandon’s Other Real Golfers
Noel Hurley driving off at the first hole. Noel has the unique distinction of holing out in one on this hole on 25th August 2005!
Rhona Hegarty-Brennan providing advice and caddying for Alison Kingston on her International debut.
Kenny McGarry won the Kinsale Senior Scratch Cup in 2005 with a score of 137 (5 under par)
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L-R: John Cronin, Sean O’Donovan, Kieran Ryan, Raymond O’Neill, Pat Murphy, Ivan Shorten, Matt O’Brien, Tom Murray, Noel O’Connor, Michael Young, Brendan O’Neill, John McGinley
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Senior Moments
Pat ‘The Bank’ Murphy Christmas 2007 If you’d like to come across the sea to Bandon And it will be towards the closing of your day Make sure you make it on a Tuesday morning And watch the Senior Golfers as they play. If your ear is sharp, you’ll pick up the Gaelic Micheál Ó Tuama agus Peadar le cunamh day And we can even produce a real live Frenchman Who will answer to the name of Yves Chaillet. We have members of the guards and numerous bankers Who might arrest or screw you on the day We can also boast of the fastest golfer on the planet He’ll pass you out before you can say ‘Ray’.
Owen McCarthy, Donie Cronin, Finbar Cadogan. Senior card school - everyone’s a winner here!
We have elders who travel on the buggies Dommie Coughlan and Jack Bonnar who’s the boss There’s ‘Spanish’ Morrison and ‘Hammers’ Jack O’Regan And Noel Coghlan who thinks he’s Stirling Moss. With insurance we’re more than fully covered With Gavin, Murphy, McGilton always on the ball Not forgetting the inimitable Tommy Murray And John C. Cronin whistling in the hall. The best golfer of the year is Noel O’Connor On Kerry football we weekly hear his views If he doesn’t shut his mouth about Sam Maguire He can play every Tuesday off the blues. Our chaplain is the kindly Father Eddie To him all our sins we weekly tell He never knows until he draws his partners Whether he’s playing in Heaven or in Hell. Michael Young is our interior designer Whose colour schemes are famous far and near But if things go wrong on the fairways You’ll hear him say Oh! dear, Oh! dear, Oh! dear. For John Doc, Rodney P. and Sean Collins Bandon Rugby Club is their ‘Ireland’s call’ But when you really want to consult an expert Tony Neville is the Daddy of them all. For sophistication there’s Charlie Reardon and Sean Canning On weekly affairs they rarely get it wrong Sean has banked in Europe and part of Asia While Charlie was chasing robbers in Hong Kong.
Noel Coughlan(left) with Jack O’Regan (right), 170 years young between them, taking Fr Eddie Collins with them “just in case”!
Every week you’ll most likely meet two Brendans One’s O’Keeffe and the other Treasurer Deane While one likes to handle our finances The other gets to handle a young cailín. There are many more too numerous to mention And we’ve applicants knocking on the door To join us you must be drawing the pension And have a cholesterol of less than five point four. We have artificial knees and hips a plenty And stents and triple bypass by the score Some of us can find it hard of hearing And others find it hard to count past four. I hoped you liked my little ditty If I left you out don’t you shed a tear Just write your name on a twenty euro And I’ll try to fit you in next Centenary Year.
Billy Burke, Mike Halpin and Donal Murphy Guess who’s losing the money?
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The McEvoy Shield
Rodney Price
The McEvoy Shield was presented by Jim McEvoy in the early 1970s for a competition for scratch golfers, but due to the number of scratch competitions, it lapsed after a few years. In 1980 at the annual meeting of the Junior and Senior West Cork Shields it was agreed to have a further competition for high handicap golfers and to play for the McEvoy Shield over one day. The first competition was held in Macroom in 1980 as five foursomes, four to count. Skibbereen followed in 1981 and then Kinsale in 1982. At this point it was felt that foursomes was too demanding for high handicappers and the competition was changed to five fourballs, Stableford, four scores to count and this has remained the format. From 1983 on, a team manager was appointed – Rodney Price from 1983-2001, John Donegan 2002-2004, and Michael Young from 2005 to date. Apart from two years when it was held in Dunmore (1985) and Bandon (1986), it was decided to have an overnight stay to make it a more social occasion and the first away venue was Kenmare in 1984. In 1989, the venue was Bantry overnighting in Glengarriff. In the team were a piano player (Barry Moloney) and two fine singers (Padraig O’Neill and Liam ‘Don Williams’ Twomey) and a great night was had by all! This set a precedent for future years. In 1990, we not only had three musicians travelling to Glengarriff, but Bandon also won the McEvoy Shield for our only time! We celebrated our win in style at the Eccles Hotel! Over the next two - three years the number of musicians increased to a core of seven, with occasional input from others and they were christened the McEvoy Shield Travelling Roadshow. We also decided that not only should we stay overnight, but there should be a second session on the way home on the Sunday and this format continued up to 2001. 2001 was held in Macroom, with the overnight in Creedons of Inchigeela. This was one of the finest of all sessions and it was felt after all these years, that this format had run its course. From 2002 on, the competition was played, followed by a fine meal at a local hotel and then home.
The McEvooy Band: Barry Moloney, Paddy Nolan, Paddy Downing, Rodney Price, Aidan O'Rourke, Gerry Walsh, Kevin Hanly & Dan Donovan
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The Honest Draw (Thursday Fourball)
Michael Stafford
‘The Honest Draw’ Back in the 1960’s and 1970’s golf during the week was the exception. The main reasons for this would have been (a) the number of people playing golf were much fewer and (b) the economic climate of those times. However, in that era all country towns would have a ‘Half-Day’ which was usually on a Wednesday or Thursday. In Bandon Thursday was the day and particularly in the early 1970s an ‘ad hoc’ group would meet around lunchtime for a game. There were no set pairings or anything like that – everything was dependant on whom or how many turned up. It seems a small wager would be agreed and battle would ensue for bragging rights for at least a week!!! Members involved would have included such luminaries as Teddy Poland, Paddy McSweeney, Denis O’Donovan, Tom McGrath, Ted Hegarty, Brendan O’Neill, Gerry Hourihane, Frankie Cotter, Denis McSweeney, Finbarr Hayes, Niall Coakley, Denis O’Brien, Tony Egan, Ricky Galvin, John O’Donovan, Tony Healy, Jack Cagney, Bobby McGowan (Monkstown Golf Club) and others from time to time. Around the second half of the 1970s numbers playing golf increased which impacted on Thursday golf ever increasingly. I arrived in town in mid 1976 and became involved. As numbers swelled over that period the draw tended to have more relevance / interest. J. O’Donovan J. Mitchell J. Kenny C. O’Mahony D. O’Sullivan M. Stafford K. Quaid K. McCarthy T. Egan B. Quaid
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The ‘Honest Draw’ with Don O’Sullivan, Kieran O’Shea, Michael Stafford and Tony Egan
The rules of engagement were: 1.
£1 – 1st nine;
£1 – 2nd nine; £1 – overall, Better Ball, Stableford, 7/8 Handicap
2.
For each leg won (e.g. 1st nine etc.) each player was entitled to one drink.
3.
When this process was completed the remainder of money was disbursed among the winners with the price of a pint around 50p and with anything between 12 and 20 usually playing you did not need to be George Lee to work out the possible benefits!!
So for some strange reason I became actively involved with others in making the draw over the following years – probably my honest face – sure you know yourself! Members, would from time to time, bring a guest to play. Normally we would facilitate the member with the guest joining him in same fourball. If word on the street was that the ‘guest’ was not on top form, not alone was he in the same fourball - they were actually paired up to play together – just common sense really! Over the years the competition hotted up. Basically one had to be reasonably competitive. Maximum handicap was set at 18. As the price of beverages increased so did the stake – ‘index linked’ you might say! The figure went up to 5, 5 and 5 (progressing from punts to Euros) and has remained at that for around 20 years. A huge number of members would have played on and off over those years including the following regulars – Tony Lucey, Tim Noonan, Sean McKechnie, Tony Neville, Jim Riordan, J.A. Riordan, Derek Kelly, John Bourke, Jim Brennan, Doc Finn, Hugh O’Byrne, Hugh Neeson, Con Waugh, Jim Mackey, Brian Quaid, Kevin Quaid, Terry Adams, Jim Kenny, Sean Kennedy, John O’Sullivan, Pat McCarthy, Mick O’Brien, Jeremy Crowley, Eddie O’Connor, Dave Long, John Hurley, Jim Mitchell, Lewis O’Mahony, Kieran O’Shea, Jim O’Driscoll, Michael O’Mahony x 2, Pro. Paddy O’Boyle, W.J. McGarry, Gearoid Murphy, Tony Egan etc.
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So, with such serious players one can imagine tension building at 1.59pm every Thursday. Like all bone fide groups, principles had to be adhered to! Ours were: 1. 2. 3.
Democracy prevailed – pretty much National interest was paramount If 1 and 2 failed – common sense ruled.
I Note 1
‘National interest’ could include self interest in exceptional circumstances.
I Note 2 Over the last few years Tony Egan has become a central part of the draw process and seems to have adapted the above principles to the needs of the 21st Century. When the fourball started it was mostly played in winter / spring months with an Easter outing every year. This used to go to Killarney in early years but due to economics changed to Lee Valley and sometimes Kinsale before settling for a number of years at Douglas. This has now ceased for a number of years and we now play Bandon right throughout the year. Competition remains fierce every week with no quarter given and bustling being the order of the day! Despite all of this – uniquely in all its years, cards have never been used to confirm scores; your word is your word. Long may it continue thus. Your word is your bond - subject of course to corroboration by your playing partners!!
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Bob Tisdall (the Olympian), Ted Hegarty & Rhona Hegarty at the West Cork Sports Star Awards in 1978
Denis Scannell of the Irish Examiner capturing Paddy O’Boyle really explaining golf to Brendan McDaid, Rodney Nora Kittyand Kingston, Price, Neville, Tony Neville Barry Maureen Neville Kate O’Neilland in 1983 O'Sullivan on an outing to Courtmacsherry links in 1937
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Ladies The Ladies of Bandon Golf Club have been active in the club since the very early days, as evidenced from two of the oldest cups in the club – The Bessie Walsh Cup 1914 and the The Ladies Challenge Cup (now known as the June Cup) also dated 1914. The membership records show that in 1913 there were 27 lady members. In the early minutes there are many references to the Ladies and indeed Mixed Foursomes were a very popular competition during the early years. Their contribution to the club has been recognized over the years with the awarding of Honorary Memberships to Lady Jennifer Bernard (Life), Mrs. Rhona Hegarty-Brennan (Life), Mrs Agnes O’Driscoll (Associate), Mrs. Anna Slattery (Associate), Miss Marjorie Calnan (Associate) and Mrs. Bunny Glancy (Associate). Over the years many pennants, cups and International honours have been brought to the club by the heroic exploits of the lady members. The social scene in the club was always enhanced by the presence of the ladies, and their culinary skills and charitable activities were noted far and wide.
M.A. Neville, Y. Coakley, J. Merrick, I. Noonan, S. McGrath T. O’Regan A. Deasy
Catering in the Early Days In the years before caterers were introduced to Bandon Golf Club the ladies of the club were renowned for their culinary skills. The ladies held two open days during the year, and lady golfers from far and wide travelled to play their golf, and most importantly to enjoy the wonderful meal that the Bandon lady members had prepared for the day. This consisted of poached salmon, home made salads, mayonnaise, beetroot jelly and home made brown bread, to finish off they had chocolate cake, which was also made by one of the lady members. The salmon was literally ‘poached’ from the Bandon River by a local Bandon man. There was a wonderful catering committee where, of course, each lady had her own specialty to prepare for the day. The ladies’ culinary skills were also required for the Men’s open sponsored events, they prepared savories and served these with drinks to the sponsors in the committee room. Also before the caterers were introduced to the club, the lady members made sandwiches and cakes for the Lady Captain’s Day, Men’s Captain’s Prize to the Ladies and also the President’s Prize to the Ladies. The Lady Captain’s Prize was followed by a mixed foursomes and a sing song afterwards. It is known that a few ladies, who had enjoyed a sociable drink after playing in the Lady Captain’s Prize, went to the first tee to play in the mixed foursomes in their high heels!
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Handicap Records before the Computer Information gleaned from an old ladies’ handicap book dating back to 1934 shows that computerisation has moved us a long way from having to keep the Ladies’ scores in the fashion in which they were recorded in 1934. Fifty years on we still have a number of ladies who played golf in the club and are still active playing members today. These ladies are Mrs. Eileen McSweeney, (Miss E. Lane), Mrs. Mary O’Mahony (Miss M. Fitzgerald), Mrs. Margaret Shorten (Miss M. Callanan), Miss Agnes Deasy, Mrs. Vera Hegarty, Mrs. Barbara Scott and Mrs. Kathleen O’Driscoll, and their handicaps as they were in 1959 are shown on the extracts from the handicap book. Monica Hickey joined the club in 1940 and is still a member but not playing.
Monica Hickey
Honorary Associate Member Marjorie Calnan
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The Senior Citizen’s Party For many years the lady members of the club held an annual social event for the Senior Citizens of Bandon. They entertained them for the afternoon, where the Senior citizens enjoyed good food and beverages of all kinds. To complete the afternoon there was music, dancing and a sing song. As this was an annual event there were a few ladies who were in charge from year to year, (I suppose we could call them the hierarchy) and no other lady member outside of this group would tell them what to do. Lady members who were available to help were instructed to be at the club at a certain time for the sandwich making on the morning of the event. When there, one took instructions and did what one was told, there was a touch of demarcation on the allocation of jobs. Many lady members would also make their annual quota of various small cakes for the event and these were delivered to the club during the morning. When all the sandwiches were prepared they were carefully cut by one lady member, and then the various goodies were laid out on tables for the afternoon festivities.
Making the sandwiches for the Senior Citizen’s Party
No Health & Safety in the “Good Old Days”! Yvonne Lynch and Peggy Beechinor
Kathleen O’Driscoll bagging the Christmas Turkey - Golf Club Style
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Monica Hickey - Longest Surviving Lady Member and Mary McCarthy
Barbra Scott and Catherine O’Flynn
Anne Keane, Myra O’Dowd and Mary Halpin
Kitty Cotter - Oldest playing Lady Member, Rose Lynch - Lady Captain 2008 and Margaret O’Sullivan
Mary O’Connor, Mary Daly, Mary Seaman, Theresa Burke, Nora Coughlan and Nell Walsh
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The Ladies’ Charity Days While enjoying a round of golf, lady golfers in Bandon raise a considerable amount of money for various charities each year. From Lady Treasurer’s reports going back to the 1950s there are records showing that competitions were run to raise funds for the National Council of the Blind and Conquer Cancer Fund. The Lady Captain’s Charity Open Day is a very important day in her year. Over the years many charities have benefited from the funds donated, and many thousands have been raised for charities such as Stroke Research at University Hospital Cork, Marymount Hospice, Bandon Community Hospital, Irish Wheelchair, Bandon, The Bandon Branch of the Soroptimists and Cistic Fibrosis, to name but a few. Another charity competition which is run annually is the club’s ‘Cancer Day’. This competition is kindly sponsored each year, and again ladies turn up in great numbers to play (or just to donate), and large sums of money are donated each year to help cancer research. Even ladies’ cosmetics help out when raising funds for charity. Lancome, the cosmetic company, run national competitions over several months each year, with the winners from each competition playing in a grand final in Killarney. Every few years Bandon Golf Club is chosen as the host club for a qualifying round – and all the funds raised are given to a charity of the Lady Captain’s choice. The West Cork Cope Alliance was formed in 1990 to raise funds for the Cope Foundation who look after 16,000 clients with disabilities in Cork city and county. The west Cork golf clubs all joined and are very generous in giving their course for a day each year to run an open competition. These clubs are Bandon, Macroom, Dunmore, Skibbereen, Bantry, Glengarriff, Berehaven and Lisselan. Long time Bandon member Eileen McSweeney was one of the first Captains of the Alliance and another Bandon member, Margaret Carroll has been treasurer for many years.
Lady Captain Miriam Murphy presenting her charity day cheque for stroke research at University Hospital Cork.
Lady Captain Ann O’Regan presenting her cheque to Paddy O’Sullivan for the BHOC.
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Inaugural Meeting of the Ladies West Cork Shield The Ladies West Cork Shield
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The Ladies’ West Cork Shield The inaugural meeting of the Ladies, West Cork Shield took place in Bandon Golf Club in 1971. Mrs. Sheila O’Dea was Lady Captain. Lady members attended from all the West Cork Golf Clubs and Kenmare. Hilser Jewellers kindly sponsored the Trophy and Mr. Foley from Hilser Jewellers in Cork came to the meeting and presented the Trophy. Bantry and Lee Valley Golf Clubs later joined the group and each year there is great rivalry between all the clubs to win the much coveted prize. Bandon ladies have succeeded in bringing home the trophy eight times over the years and some of the winning teams are displayed here.
West Cork Shield Winners 1981
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West Cork Shield Winners 1975
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West Cork Shield Winners 1979
West Cork Shield Winners 2003
West Cork Shield Winners 2007
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Peggy - The Ban Garda
Luarena - Rocking and Rolling
Kitty - Leader of the Pack
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The Lady Captain’s Dinner
Luarena Goggin
Since 1988 Luarena has, each year, written and produced a talented and amusing show which is performed on Lady Captain’s night. The ladies of Bandon Golf Club for years now are well known for the entertainment they provide for the Lady Captain’s Dinner in November each year. Great effort and indeed quite a few arguments go into the production of the show! But on the night it is worth all the effort to see the clamouring for the top seats to be closest to the action and not miss a word. More importantly it is wonderful to see the enjoyment the Lady Captain gets from it, as traces of delight and fear cross her face, as no one is spared!! Some of our stalwarts through the years deserve great praise for the time and effort they put into the rehearsals. The best shows in my opinion were the mimes where the music was taped and the words mimed by the participants. The funniest memory I have is of Kitty Cotter on a motor bike (i.e. a child’s bike with Peggy Beechinor in stabilisers) in full leather gear as she came peddling onto the stage to the roar of ‘The Leader Swan Lake of the Pack’. Peggy Beechinor (R.I.P) played a mermaid at one time and brought the house down when she was carried on stage regaled in a beautiful mermaid fin made by Mary O’Donoghue. On another occasion Peggy Beechinor pirouetted to the music of Swan Lake while the ‘Still Diabolic Orchestra’ THE S MURF consisting of Carmel O Driscoll, Mary Taaffe, Kathleen O’Driscoll, IT GIR Sheila Rattery (R.I.P.), and Kitty Cotter played their muted instruments For ma LS ny a For a P day how we d in the background. Piano accompaniment was provided by the musically e id n nant fo We trie pray r our d our tallented Peggy Brennan and Mary Rose O’Donovan. Mary We pra best just to b club yed to e the Lor at the rest O’Donoghue could always expect a phone call about a week before d above . We had minor te the show and would do the impossible by making all the props for us. am Sometimes there would be a bit of friendly rivalry between the Cork versus the Bandon women. Mary O’Mahony played a great part in these events. But eventually we all joined together to produce the one show. Other shows I can recall are ‘The Oldest Swingers in Town’, ‘We’ll run them in’, ‘I feel Pretty’, with Mary Taaffe, the real pretty one, in pig tails! In latter years we went slightly “up market” with the beautiful singing voices of Ber O’Halloran, and Eileen Coleman and a chorus group. The tone would then be brought down when Dolly (the common one) alias Noelle Twomey and Audrey (the posh one) alias Miriam Murphy would in their own inimitable way give us all the gossip of the Club. Mary Rose O’Donovan & Peggy Brennan could always be relied on to play the piano and accompany all the cast.
s and ju And m nio a No ma ny many mor r teams e, tter ho w we tried Sure w e n e a rl We cou y ldn’t ge cried t a scor e. Chorus
Then fr om Ban d We sen on Town to th t our sw They d eet you e County Dow id us pr ng ou n Hooray d and our ch pearls. ee for the Smur fit rs were loud. girls. There w as Aliso Two n and Kate an members of th Susan d Liz, th e team ey a T They lo hey surely we ll did the biz z re oked so sweet in the cream. their blu e so ne at Eve Hilda a n Rhona could nd Joh n’t moa n ther n As they beat au e to egg them ld Ennis o crone. n Chorus
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All good innocent and inexpensive fun! Perhaps when they look back on this book in a hundred years time, they will say how easily we were entertained! But for the present here’s to many more good nights.
THE SKETCH Opening scene 4 golfers walk across stage signing score cards and shaking hands, chat in silence and exit. The pictures on the wall come to life and start conversation.
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Lady Captain:
Well did you see that, Mary Rose and Tony Healy playing opposite Margaret O’Brien and Paddy Kehoe. Since she won the Mixed she thinks she is Laura Davis.
President:
Sure he is known as Tiger Healy.
Captain:
I think Paddy Kehoe will make a good President.
President:
Come here what do you think of all the new changes, the President is to be the Head Man…
Lady Captain:
Or woman...
President:
Which means we will have a President, Captain, Vice Captain , Lady Captain Lady vice Captain and now I hear there’s a vice vice Lady Captain.
Lady Captain:
The club was never short of Vices.
Captain:
(Dusting himself) It’s got very dusty in here. You think they would have cleaned up after painting.
President:
(Proudly) What do you think of the colour scheme.
Captain:
What organisation was consulted about the colour scheme?
Lady Captain:
It must have been the council for the Blind.
President:
It’s hard to please ye women, ye wanted blue jumpers and now ye have blue walls and you’re still not satisfied.
Captain:
SSShhh there, someone coming (they go very still)
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THE LANG ER
Across the stage comes Corolla with a hamper full of turkeys. Exit Lady Captain:
That was Corolla. No wonder she wins so much with that buggy of hers.
Chorus
Captain:
Did she bring that from Argentina?
Lady Captain:
No but knowing her she could have brought the foot and mouth. Sure isn’t she always putting her foot in her mouth?
Captain:
Is that Ger opening the Bar. How is he going to manage the Euro.
President:
Sure the old people are still getting used to the Decimal Currency.
Lady Captain:
Wouldn’t you think they would wait till the old folk were dead before introducing the Euro.
President:
And that’s another thing, what will we call it now when we want to spend a penny.
Lady Captain:
I suppose………Euronate
We’re the Ladi es Commiteee e And as smar t as can be We solve ever ything right do wn to the tee But Margaret says no In fact she says we’re all far too slow we’re all Lang ers.
Now the ladie s of our club We thought w We pay a full sub e’d be equal bu t We paid up ou here comes the rub r money Sure the men thought it fu No wonder w e think they’re nny all Langers Chorus I was to go to N To play golf w ew Ross ith the Boss But she turned to m And said no yo e crossly u’re not It just cannot be a Cause I’m taki ng Lia So cop on now stop acting th e Langer Chorus Our friend M ar tha Hall She is She has a new having a ball man and she sa ys he is tall We know that sh But he’s a Dub e’s keen lin jackeen In Cork he’d be known as a Langer Chorus
Captain:
Still we had a good year.
President:
We didn’t win much.
Lady Captain:
At least we got a Pennant.
President:
Ye should have won the Intermediate. Who was the manager?
Lady Captain:
June Murphy.
Captain:
I thought it was Elma?
Lady Captain:
Not at all she was only the gofer.
Captain:
Imagine Ann Leonard being beaten in Monkstown by Josie from Templemore. It was a big shock.
President:
It’s a bigger shock to the club with Paula leaving us.
Lady Captain:
But that’s not because of Monkstown.
President:
Oh I don’t know. Paula came back from Scotland to play on a wining team and now she is off to Templemore to join the Guards. We gave Luarena Goggin three men and she still did not get one to satisfy her.
It’s 2004 an Some ladies ar d not like before e members of clubs 234 Take my cous And there's no in Una is a member of Fota way they wou ld tolerate Lang ers. Chorus One day Mar y Rang Eily Jo an O d said Some people think that I am too slow I’v been talkin g And have a dr to Paddy iv e on caddy So to hell with all of them La ngers Chorus The Mixed Fo ursomes Were beaten in Team although they were ke en Bandon by lit tle Coosh We’d have won the 4-somes cu een But Noelle fo p uled up Norm an he called he r a Langer On the Interm ediate Team Margaret was really so keen But Lucy and Anne were ev er so mean. Poor Margare t was dropped Then in Band on they lost No wonder sh e called them two Langers. Chorus Now our story is told I hope we wer en’t too bold And we hope that you’ll take us Back into the Fold For you it’s ou r dream That you’ll ne ver be seen As a typical ho me grown Cor k Langer
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Captain:
Things are changing fast sure we will be taken off the wall shortly and new faces put up.
Lady Captain:
I wonder where they will shove us, sure they haven’t hung up last year’s group yet.
Captain:
Well we are negotiating with Lady Jennifer to buy the castle. So maybe they’ll hang us all up there.
Lady Captain:
Knowing the men we will probably knock the castle and build a cottage.
President:
I suppose next year the ladies will be getting bottles of milk and pounds of butter for Christmas prizes instead of turkeys,
Captain:
And then the following year we will get Tax Rebates;
Lady Captain:
Is there any truth in the rumour that there is a monster in the lake outside.
Captain:
No that’s only Paddy with a snorkel looking for balls.
Lady Captain:
I heard Edward O’Driscoll had an operation.
Captain:
Where?
President:
In the Bons.
Captain:
I don’t mean that I mean what part of him?
President:
Oh he had a knee replacement.
Lady Captain:
He probably won’t be able to ride for a while.
Captain:
And Des Burke had a hip replacement.
President:
Ah but sure he doesn’t ride at all.
Captain:
Do you know what I’m looking forward to next year.
President:
What?
Captain:
The Lady Captain’s Dinner.
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UNDE RNE LAMP ATH THE POST Undern
eath Noelle the lamp post and Ba just at r to do m t had sent me 12 .03 y There a out s I ram nightly wee Captain: Of course I can as full members all the bled do w T n h o th ug I left m men are entitled to go. y mark h it was dark e Park As I sto on ever y sing pped an le d did m lamppost President: Speaking of Lady Captain’s Dinner look y wee Then I I was fe ran to the roa at all the women arriving in their d to me eling ra ndy a et my glamour, and it looks like they are going That is s I ran right r lady friend ound why I d That big id not see the bend to start a sing song. Let’s join with lorr And wra That came a eee them. t me pped m e ro As I sto pped an und the lampp d did m o The End…….Rapturous Applause!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! y wee. st When m y neigh bour ca No lle But she elle was still in d at home ran righ be t down d And to Please d our neighb the stairs our said on’t tell m |Has go e that our Ja ck t a crack And To pidd wont be back Were h le on the lamp e liked to do h post is wee Bar t’s fr ie He said nd, the Vet I didn’t But I c suffer an te He is a ll you now th fecking at He loo blu ked at B ar t and ffer th Poor Ja ck is de is he said Go ad While p t hit on the h e id When h dling on the ad la e stopp ed to d mppost o his w ee Now I’m u In the d p in heaven And I h oggy land That life ave to tell you is re There a re man ally grand For me y lady doggie s to sque And eze And lo some to plea ve se Where ly golden lam p we can do our posts wees.
Lady Captain:
(Laughing) you can’t come to that.
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J. Merrick, T. Martin, M. Woodworth, I. Noonan
Paddy Bandon (the fifth Earl) leading the festivities
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Fancy Dress & Party Time Lord and Lady Bandon presenting their prizes to Sheila and Jim Riordan
Left: The ‘Moppets’ - T. Desmond & Y. Coakley Right: Corporal Ronnie Murphy with Norman ‘The Milkmaid’ Noonan
Brian, the not so Incredible Hulk Merrick with Lord and Lady Bandon
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The Children’s Christmas Party Santa Arrives
Tony Neville - A boy at last!
Sing Song Time
Mary Rose provides the music
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Paddy O’Boyle
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Professional Pride
Paddy O’Flynn
Paddy O’Boyle
At a very early stage Bandon Golf Club signalled its intention to employ a golf professional. Within the first year of its establishment in 1909 the club had appointed one James McKillop as its first professional. James came from the prestigious Portmarnock golf club but unfortunately that club’s archives contain no information on Mr McKillop. His surname suggests Scottish origins which would not have been unusual at that time. Unfortunately the clubs’ ambition was not supported by its finances as we note proposals to terminate his employment one year later due to financial pressures. It is not known how long McKillop actually stayed at the club. He was followed, for a short time, around 1920 by Michael Bingham who had a very interesting career. Son of William Bingham, caretaker of the first permanent golf course in Tralee he quickly became recognised as one of the best golfers to come out of Tralee. He turned professional and won a number of professional tournaments including the World Long Driving competition in 1924 and was runner up the following year. Following stints as a professional at a number of English courses he arrived at Sunningdale where he was professional and golf advisor to the future King Edward V111, then Prince of Wales. He had health problems and returned to Ireland in 1941. In the 1920s the Golfing Union had a number of golf professionals who could be hired – short term- for teaching and it was under this scheme that John Curran arrived in Bandon. He is said to have come from St Anne’s Golf Club in Dollymount and first arrived in 1929. Johnny as he was popularly known was appointed to a full time position in 1931/32. The duties of that position are far cry from that of today’s professionals. He was literally responsible for everything
Professional P. O’Hagan welcomed to Bandon. L-R: Captain J. Hickey, President F. Murphy, Professional P. O’Hagan, Lady Captain Mrs. M. O’Mahony 131
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the club did – not alone teaching but course maintenance /development, competition entry, catering as well as sales of golf equipment. Through most of his tenure he seldom had more than one assistant. He gave long and loyal service even after his retirement in 1961.
John Curran
Jim Mills
John Curran was not directly replaced. Even though retired, he continued, up to his death in 1964, to provide members with golf clubs, balls etc and even on occasion to take competition entries. He was replaced as a groundsman by Tom Finn who remained until 1964 when he moved to Mallow golf club. At that time a promising local golfer, Jimmy Mills was encouraged by the committee to take over as groundsman. This he did in February 1965 and gradually over that year he was given responsibility for competition entry, collection of green fees, the bar and eventually the sale of golf equipment. At first he was regarded as an amateur but by the end of the year the G.U.I confirmed to the club that he had lost his amateur status and operated in a professional capacity. He filled that role until 1967 when his preference for a more conventional occupation and desire to return to amateur golf led him to resign. He was reinstated to amateur status by the R & A having completed the obligatory two year period and joined Macroom golf club when he moved to that area. There was then a gap of a few years before the committee decided in 1969 to create a new position of Secretary/Manager. In the meantime John Joe Hourihane was groundsman. Ted Hegarty was appointed and his tenure witnessed major expansion and development within the club i.e. a new club house, driving range and the development of the new nine holes. In addition to his role as golf professional Ted played a significant role in supporting these major developments. By 1980 the Committee decided that the club needed the services of a fulltime Professional once again and Peter O’Hagan from Warrenpoint Golf Club was appointed In 1983 Peter decided to return north and take the prestigious position of Professional at Malone Golf Club. Paddy O’Boyle then arrived as professional in 1983 and continues to give excellent and much appreciated service and is fast catching up on Jonny Curran’s thirty year tenure. In addition to providing exceptional support to the members Paddy’s tenure has also, very quietly and very much in character, resulted in the generation of a virtual academy of assistants who have gone on to excel themselves as professional golfers in their own right. The modern course of study and tuition undertaken by golf assistants is quite extensive.
Ted Hegarty
The programme has been developed with the University of Birmingham and has evolved to meet the needs of PGA professionals in an ever-changing golf industry. The programme is based around various modules. It mixes theory and practice and is assessed by assignments and examinations. Assistants work for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a golf environment, employed by a recognised PGA professional, and study via distance learning. In each of the three years of study and in addition to the assignments and exams, Assistants attend a residential course at the National Training Academy at The Belfry.
Coaching Key Subject Areas 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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Equipment Technology Sports Science Business Management Career and Personal Development Rules and Tournament Organisation
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Conor Mehigan assisting Paddy O’Boyle in his pro golf shop
Entry Criteria From September 2008, the following criteria must be met for entry into the PGA Foundation Degree: I Age 18 by 30 September of the year you intend starting I Have an email address and should have internet access I Be maintaining a handicap of 4 or better (6 for ladies) I Leaving Certificate (Level 4) - Established Programme. Maths and English Language must be achieved at Ordinary / Standard Level (A - C grade). Two other subjects must also be passed (A - C grade). Passes at higher / honours level will naturally be accepted. Brief biographies of Paddy and his many successful students are as follows:-
Paddy O’Boyle Paddy O’Boyle was a member of Sutton Golf Club in Dublin from 1967 to 1983. He also played for Royal Dublin Golf Club from 1977 to 1980. He was an Irish boys and youth international from 1971 to 1976 and also played as a Leinster Interprovincial from 1976 to 1978. In 1977 he became a full Irish International and was a member of the five man Irish team for the European Championships in 1977. In 1978 Paddy turned professional and held a European tour card from 1978 to 1981. He was a winner of numerous Pro-Ams including the Benson & Hedges international pro-am in 1980. That same year he became assistant club professional to Nicky Lynch at Sutton Golf Club and qualified as a PGA member in 1982. During his time at Bandon Golf Club he was a member of the Irish region committee for ten years and was honoured with the PGA captaincy in 1995.
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Paddy O’Boyle and his wife, Angela celebrating 25 years with the club with President M.B. Stafford, Captain Finbar McCarthy and Lady Captain Miriam Murphy
Brendan McDaid. 1983-1985 Brendan achieved Irish Boy International status when playing for Skibbereen Golf Club. He joined Bandon as assistant to Peter O’Hagen and completed his apprenticeship under Paddy. On qualifying he moved to Frankfield driving range. Here he built a great reputation for coaching. He became head professional at the Heath Golf Club in Portlaoise. He is currently based at Rathsallagh Golf Club and today he is regarded as one of the best coaches in Ireland. He has coached many of the leading teams for the GUI and is currently coaching European tour Players Peter Lawrie and Gary Murphy.
Paul McDaid 1985-1987 Paul is a younger brother of Brendan. Having trained at Bandon Golf Club, Paul became the head professional at Tramore Golf Club. After three years at Tramore he moved to Old Conna Golf Club at Woodbrook in Dublin where he is still employed today.
Liam Burns 1987-1991 Liam was one of the crop of young players with great talent to emerge from the junior section at Bandon Golf Club. On completing his training Liam was appointed head professional at Youghal Golf Club where he runs a very successful business. His younger brother James is the current head green keeper in Bandon.
John Paul Noonan 1991-1994 Having completed his training at Bandon golf club John Paul went to Germany to work as a golf coach. He has worked abroad for the past fourteen years and is currently working in Italy. Paul is fluent in five languages and is a very well respected professional in Italy.
David Keating 1994-1997 David was a member of Charleville golf club and was a qualified electrician before completing his assistantship at Bandon. He returned to his native Charleville where he built a successful business in teaching and custom fitting golf clubs. He won the very prestigious Callaway Custom Fitter of the year award, for Europe, in 2003. He is the only Irish professional to have
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ever won that award. David has just been appointed head professional at the magnificent Killarney golf and fishing club.
David O’Sullivan 1995-1997 David served the first year of his training in the Open Golf Centre in Dublin before coming to Bandon to finish. He then returned to take up the position of Director of Golf at the prestigious St Margaret’s Golf Club near Dublin Airport. In 2006 David returned to take up the Director of Golf position at the new John Daly resort in Blarney.
Wayne O’Callaghan 1995-1997 Wayne was a member of Harbour Point golf club as a junior and then moved to Douglas. He spent the first year of training at the Open Golf Centre in Dublin with David O’Sullivan before coming to Bandon to complete his training. Wayne is a very successful golfer having won the Irish assistants championship while at Bandon golf club. He went on to win many PGA ProAms and tournaments. He finished a very credible third place this year in the Irish professional championship behind Padraig Harrington and Brendan McGovern. Wayne is also building up a huge reputation as a golf coach and is based fulltime at the Carrigdun Driving Range near Carrigaline. He currently coaches the Douglas golf club teams and is currently setting up a state of the art academy at his new home in Carrigaline.
Ian Stafford 2001-2003. Ian was another of the very successful junior Bandon members. Educated at the Bandon Grammar School, he was a member of the Munster and Irish boy’s team. Ian spent the first two years of his training at Bandon golf club before completing his apprenticeship with Gerry Broderick at Kinsale. He divides his time between Kinsale and the new Innishannon driving range. Ian has recently been appointed coach to the Munster ladies golf team.
Stephen Hayes 2003-2005 Stephen was a junior member of Lee Valley golf club and began his professional career with Brendan McDaid at Rathsallagh golf club. On completing his first year he came back to Cork and spent two more years of training at Bandon golf club. He returned to Rathsallagh to complete his final year and to improve his teaching skills. He is currently working with Brendan at his academy in Rathsallagh.
Billy O’Boyle 2005-2008 Billy was yet another of the very promising young players to come out of Bandon. Educated at Hamilton High School he spent two years at Cork Institute of Technology, studying business & accounting, before becoming assistant to his dad, Paddy. During his time at Bandon golf club, Billy successfully completed his first three years training and is about to sit his final exams this year. Billy was a member of the very successful Bandon West Cork senior shield teams and also the 2004 Bandon junior cup team which won the Munster section and went on to the All Ireland qualifiers. He recently took up the post of assistant professional to David Keating at Killarney golf and fishing club.
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Denis Scannell of the Irish Examiner capturing Paddy O’Boyle really explaining golf to Brendan McDaid, Rodney Price, Tony Neville and Barry O’Neill in 1983
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Golf Really Explained c.1935 The Driver This is one of the most important clubs in the bag, for the reason that at most of the holes it makes the initial shot, and on it depends very largely the course of the subsequent play. To have confidence in one’s driver is half the battle, therefore it is essential that the club be suitable in every way. Should it behave itself, treat it with proper respect. Directions on the care of clubs will be found on a subsequent page. Generally speaking, the driver should be 421⁄4 in. in length, and weigh, approximately, 13 oz. Avoid selecting too heavy a driver, in the mistaken notion that the heavier the club the more powerful the blow, and, consequently, the longer the shot. The exact opposite effect is more likely to be produced, for the reason that the heavy club is apt to swing the player, instead of the player swinging the club. Besides, the bludgeon type of driver quickly tires the player, and weariness is inimical to good golf. The head of the driver should be of medium, comfortable size, neither too small nor too large. The modern tendency is for fairly deep faces, which have many points in their favour. The depth at centre of the face should be 11⁄16 in., and the length 23⁄4 in.
The Brassey The brassey should have a stiff, steely shaft, be 1⁄2 in. shorter than the driver, and carry a fair amount of loft on its face, to help the club cut under the ball when lying close to the ground, or in a slight depression. The swing with the brassey is much the same as with the driver, and the essential points in the foregoing chapter should be observed. As it is necessary to get down to the ball, do not be afraid to hit the ground. The loft on the club will compel the ball to rise without requiring any assistance from the player. Avoid dipping the right shoulder, with the mistaken idea of assisting the clubhead to dig under the ball. Such a method is sure to result in a horrid bungle. When the ball lies in a small depression, aim an inch or so behind the ball,; the club, cutting through the turf, will make its way to the ball and force it out. Beyond this, there is very little else to say about the brassey, except that it often comes to the rescue as an effective substitute for the driver when the club is misbehaving itself, and when it is out of concert with you. and you with it. The encouraging loft on the brassey has a soothing, calming effect, and this tends eventually to restore confidence in the driver. In any case, it will sometimes be advisable, when there is a rather formidable obstacle to carry from the tee, to use the brassey in order to make reasonably sure of getting over. A little length may be lost, but what is that compared with the knowledge that you are safe?
The Spoon About 3⁄4 in. shorter than the brassey, can be, and very often is, a most trustworthy intimate friend, with a repertory of shots far beyond that of any other club. The head should be rather on the small size, and the shaft devoid of any trace of “whip.” In the case of the ordinary player, it often takes the place of the driving-iron, and is a far easier club to use. With its snug, insinuating head, it nips under the ball, and forces it out of the most unpromising lies. For this reason alone, the spoon is an established favourite among most golfers.
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The Mashie This is a most important club, having the capacity to work good and evil, in the proportion to the manner in which it is used and manipulated. Good can come of it, by being able to employ the club with such confidence and such skill that the ball will always drop sweetly on to the green, somewhere in the proximity of the pin–but terrible evil can result from the misuse of the mashie, producing, among other things, that awful disease known as “socketing.” In short, the mashie can be a most trustworthy ally, or a most deadly enemy. Get on good terms with it and you will never have occasion to regret the association. With a good mashie, you will feel the weight in the head, and the shaft will be stiff, but not thick. The stance will be still nearer to the ball, so as to give the player a commanding position over it. Again, the left arm will be perfectly straight and held close to the body. There will be very little pivoting on the left foot; just a restrained inward movement of the left ankle, and a bend of the leg as the club goes up.
The Mashie-Niblick This is a comparatively modern type of club, and an extremely popular one. Built on very generous lines, both as to loft and size of blade, it engenders confidence in the player, a feeling that helps, to a certain extent, in producing efficiency of stroke. For this reason, and also because it is a comparatively easy club to manipulate, it has ousted the mashie in the performance of the shorter shots–those from 80 yds. in length, down to the little chip shots round about the green. A club with a fairly big, stouty built head (thin blades with a sharp cutting edge should be avoided), with a rigid, poker-like shaft, is recommended. Apart from the business of playing high pitch shots from short distances, it will be required to perform plenty of “pick-and-shovel” work in unpleasant places, therefore it is as well that the head and shaft should be so constructed as to withstand rough usage. With the slightly shorter shaft, as compared with the mashie, we shall require to stand still closer to the ball. At no time should anything more than a half-swing be attempted, for extreme accuracy is the keynote of the mashie-niblick, and complete control of the clubhead must be maintained. The same methods–restrained footwork, hands and arms well in, the decisive downward punch through the ball, and not behind it–that apply to the mashie apply also to the mashie-niblick. it is advisable that no shot over 80 yds. in length, unless the wind is directly behind the player, should be attempted; rather play a controlled shot with the mashie. When coming to the little chip shots round the green, the player will, no doubt, decide for himself which of the two clubs, the mashie, or the mashie-niblick, produce better results. Some prefer the more delicate chip with the mashie, others the rather coarser shot with the big fellow. It is all a matter of individual taste, and advice on the point is of little value.
The Jigger Another type of approach shot, where the green is perfectly open and the intervening ground is firm and good, and not too undulating, calls for a different kind of shot from that played with the mashie and the mashie-niblick.The shot is known as a running approach, and can be usefully played with a jigger–a thick-soled, narrow-faced club, with a most generous amount of loft.
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Many contemptuous and quite unworthy descriptions have been levelled at the jigger. For example, it has been termed the “club of the inefficient,” the “coward’s mashie,” and the “duffer’s mashie.” It is nothing of the sort; the jigger is a very useful implement, and in the hands of an expert, such as Mr. Montmorency, the well-known amateur, it can be a most deadly weapon. With its short shaft, its flat, broad sole, and small, smug face, the average golfer finds it a very pleasing and very encouraging club. It begets confidence, and that is what the golfer most requires. There is a wrong way and a right way of playing the jigger. The wrong way is to take the turf with the shot, and the right way is to take the ball cleanly, with the sole of the club just grazing the grass. The danger with the jigger is that if you dig for the ball, as is generally the case with the mashie, the clubhead is apt to get underneath the ball, which slips over the top of the blade. In playing the jigger shot, keep the weight of the body well forward on the left foot, the left arm straight, especially at, and immediately after, impact. Be careful not to swing too far back, and keep the eyes glued to the ball and the head down. There are many types of jiggers on the market, but the one that I recommend is the Montmorency type, which bears his signature on the back of the blade. Let the shaft be stiff, without being thick
Correct Conduct - Things to Observe To be known as a likeable, clubable fellow–the essence of popularity–the etiquette of golf must be strictly observed. There are certain things a player must do, and others he cannot do, and it is important that he should make himself conversant with the unwritten canons of the game. The following are some of the matters that make all the difference between good and bad conduct on the links: Always remember that other people have as much right on the course as you have. The putting-green is a sanctuary, and none should play it while others are putting. You might as well shoot a partridge on its nest. To drive into the people in front is an unforgivable offence, and to attempt an apology by saying, “Oh, I thought I could not possibly get so far,” stamps you as a knave. Remember the story of the gentleman who sent his caddie with his card, on which was written the message: “Colonel Jones presents his compliments, and begs to say that, though he may be playing slowly, he can play a devil of a lot more slowly if he likes.” Be careful not to move or talk while your opponent is taking his shot. Never complain of your luck, the other fellow is suffering just the same, and he has no desire to be told of it. No one wants to know why you topped your drive at the sixteenth, or socketed your mashie shot at the short seventeenth. To relate these things only stamps you as a bore. The test of sportsmanship is to be courteous in victory. Offer congratulations to your opponent should he win; he will think a great deal of you, and invite you to another game. Not only is it the height of bad manners, but very unsportsmanlike, to say, when defeated, “Oh, we were both off our game, and scarcely hit a decent shot.” How nice it sounds when you say, “I enjoyed that immensely; we must have a match again. Foulshams sports library GOLF REALLY EXPLAINED by George W. Greenwood - published c1935 139
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Ground staff are from left: Pat McCarthy, Brian Kelly, Martin Lovel, Kevin McSweeney, Michael Lynch, James Burns - Course Superintendant, Sean Wilmot, Denis Wilmot
Right: Andrew Wilmot, Timothy O'Regan
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Staff
Pam Thomson and Bar and Catering Manager Ger Mehigan
Eunice Boyd and Kay Walsh - Office Manager
Neil Muscheidt and Trish O'Sullivan
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The old clubhouse c. 1920s The clubhouse c. 1971
The clubhouse c. 2009
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The Clubhouse
Main Lounge
Members Bar
Entrance Hallway
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1914 - J. J. Calnan -Gentlemen’s Challenge Cup
1914 - Bessie Walsh Cup (John Walsh Cup)
1914 - Ladies Challenge Cup
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Cups
LEFT: 1918 - Gentlemen’s Challenge Cup (P Quinlivan Captain) RIGHT: 1927 - JJ Clifton Cup
LEFT: 1933 - The Brennan Cup Joseph Brennan RIGHT: 1933 The Munster & Leinster Bank Challenge Cup
LEFT: 1942 J.O.D. Cup - (John O’ Dwyer) RIGHT: 1946 Gentleman’s Twenties Cup (Wm. Slattery)
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LEFT: 1951 - The O’ Sullivan Cup’s RIGHT: 1963 - Club Championship (Rev. D O’Donoghue)
LEFT: 1966 - Jones Trophy (Club Championship) RIGHT: 1969 - Diamond Jubilee Perpetual Challenge Cup (E T Callanan President)
LEFT: 1970 - Intermediate Perpetual Scratch Cup RIGHT: 1976 - Jerry Calnan Memorial
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LEFT: 1980 - Joe Shorten Memorial RIGHT: 1981 - Junior Scratch Cup
LEFT: 1981 - Intermediate Scratch Cup RIGHT: 1982 - Finbarr Murphy Memorial Trophy
LEFT: 1982 - Boys Perpetual Scratch Cup - (Ken Hall Captain) RIGHT: 1989 - John Mehigan Memorial
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LEFT: 1991 - Committee V Juniors Perpetual Cup RIGHT: 1993 - Billy Barry Perpetual Memorial Cup
LEFT: 1994 - Senior Citizens Mixed Foursomes Perpetual Cup RIGHT: 1994 - Cork Intermediate Scratch Cup
LEFT: 1996 - Schering Plough Am –Am Perpetual Cup (Best Gents Team) RIGHT: 2000 - Junior Match play Championship Trophy (Jerry Mehigan)
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LEFT: 2004 - Stuart Sherratt (Jnr) Perpetual Memorial Cup RIGHT: 2006 - Minor Scratch Cup
LEFT: 2007 - Senior Scratch Cup RIGHT: 2008 - Senior Gents Cup
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LEFT: 1924 - The Garde Cup & Medal RIGHT: 1948 - Ladies Perpetual Cup presented by Mabel Bowers Bower Cup & Medal
LEFT: 1948 - Spring Open (Silver) Challenge Cup (Later the June Cup) RIGHT: 1954 - Donn Byrne Ladies Challenge Cup
LEFT: 1954 - Donn Byrne Ladies Challenge Trophy RIGHT: 1978 - Fr. Horgan Perpetual Cup
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LEFT: 1978 Agnes O’ Driscoll Trophy RIGHT: 1995 Freda Mc Clement Perpetual Memorial Trophy
LEFT: 1996 Schering Plough AmAm Perpetual Cup (Best Ladies Team) RIGHT: John Curran Memorial Trophy
LEFT: Jim Neville Memorial Cup RIGHT: The Good Cup
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Shields & Pennants
Bandon’s first All-Ireland winners - Smurfit Junior Girls, 2001. Back Row: Michael Young (President), Rhona Hegarty Brennan (Team Manager), Bernadette Canniffe (Lady Captain), Kevin O’Leary (Captain). Front Row: SusanO’Leary, Alison Kingston, Elizabeth Brennan, Kate Davis
BMW Irish Mixed Foursomes 2002 - National Winners. Back: Kate Davis, Kieran Hurley, Aileen O’Keeffe, Lia Walsh, Eileen O’Leary, Pat McCarthy, Tim O’Keeffe, Bernard O’Driscoll, Hilda Hegarty, Margaret O’Flynn, Carol Minihane, J.V. Murphy, Helen Hegarty, Rose Lynch, M.B. Stafford. Front: John Carroll, Margaret O’Brien, Jimmy O’Leary, Paddy Kehoe, Jack Lynch (G.U.I. President), Ann O’Regan, Noelle Twomey, Donie O’Donovan
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Golfing Union of Ireland, Munster Branch, Inter-County Challenge Cup, Douglas Golf Club, 1950. Back Row: P. Downing, J. Quill, J. Brennan, Ed O’Driscoll (solr), P. McDonogh, J. Curran (pro), P. O’Driscoll, MB, J.Calnan. Front Row: J. Neville (solr. pres.), J.D. McDermott B.E. (capt), M.F. Daly (hon. sec). Insets: M.V. Brady, J. Hegarty
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Bandon Teams
Edward O’Driscoll
The old photographs left and right show the Bandon Golf Club supporters and team winners of the 1950 Country Clubs Cup (not the Inter-County Challenge Cup) It was open to all nine hole courses in Munster. The number of these courses then existing was considerable but has diminished rapidly and progressively. The considerable number of Clubs entering from different counties in Munster necessitated the playing of Qualifying rounds in different areas each year. One, two or maybe three clubs would qualify for the final. This was played in Douglas in 1950 and in Castletroy in Co. Limerick in 1949. In 1951 Bandon played their qualifying round in Muskerry but failed to get to that final. It was a stroke competition, with a team of six players, and the five best cards to count. There was no limit on handicaps. It came to be regarded subsequently as a trophy of little merit or significance as most clubs had upgraded to eighteen holes and was overtaken by the West Cork Shield competition.
By Edward O’Driscoll 2008. My knowledge of and memory of those in 1950 photograph
Standing: J. Neville, J. Brennan, Paddy Downing, Dr. Pat O’Driscoll, Johnny Curran, Edward O’Driscoll, Justin Sheerin, Paddy Quill, Seated: J. D. McDermott, John Quill Paddy McDonagh, M.F. Daly
Paddy Downing lived in Watergate Street was a tailor in Partnership with his brother Dick, at 79 South Main Street. Had been a great hurler in his youth. He was a sweet golfer, very accurate and reliable. He was the first to introduce me to playing a sand wedge off the fairway, and get back spin on the ball. He is survived by his son Paddy who is a member and his golden voiced daughter Ann McWilliams leading voice in St Patricks Church Choir. He was the senior on the team and much respected as such. John Quill, Coolfadda, son of Paddy Quill a most stalwart member. John was also a very neat and good golfer, he was of very small stature, but energetic and a great corner forward on minor football teams for Bandon, and scored many times and some great goals, on lay offs from me, used as a target man at full forward. Joe Brennan, Glensalny, Dunmanway Road. His late sister Helen was my brothers wife. I played a lot of golf with Joe. He married Monica Barrett and is father of Tom who married Rhona Hegarty and also father of Jim whose son Phillip is now a star young player in 2008. I was in 1950 2 years a solicitor and 23 years old in September that year. I was 8 handicap, but was cut to 6 later that year. I was then with Michael V Brady, also at 6, the lowest handicap in the club. Paddy McDonagh in the Bank of Ireland, a fanatical golfer, playing everywhere and at every opportunity. He was transferred away from Bandon. He died relatively young. He is survived
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by his son Brian who is a fine man, and a good friend of mine, and an excellent sportsman in an entirely different form from golf. Johnny Curran, our Professional, Green Keeper, a lovely gentleman, who never raised his voice to anyone, he spent hours and hours on the course and did his best with minimal equipment and implements. Dr. Pat O’Driscoll, Hill Terrace, a good golfer he was 10 handicap in 1950. He could play to it easily, he married Vera Deasy and moved to Charleville, he was a 2nd cousin of mine. Jim O’Driscoll recent Captain and Lucy O’Mahony are nephew and niece of his as children of his brother Timmy. Jerry Calnan, Kilbrogan Hill, affectionately known as “Jersna” the only man who had daughters one of whom Helen became the wife and now the widow of Sean Twomey. He collapsed on the 6th green at Waterville Co. Kerry when playing with me one lovely spring day, when he was level par for the 5 holes played. I had to take him to hospital in Cahirciveen, and alas he died suddenly at home watching the Tennis at Wimbledon some 3 or 4 weeks later. Jim Neville Solr., President, of the Grove, old Cork Road Bandon, uncle of Tony Neville, who later became his apprentice and followed him into the practice and took over when his uncle Jim died. Jim did not play a lot of golf himself, he was more interested in Rugby, at which he and more so his brother Dr. Tom of Clonakilty achieved distinction and renown. Jims wife Maureen was a great golfer and featured much and often in competitions not only in Bandon but on many other courses. J.D McDermott, was Captain that year, he was at that time asst. county engineer. He did not play much, he was succeeded on his retirement by H.F (Fred) Lynch of Coolfadda. I did not know John McDermott very well. M.F. Daly (Mick) was a garda officer, a native of Bantry I believe, but a very very nice and approachable man, was for years Hon. Secretary in the Club. He played a gentle and relaxed game of golf. Mick had a smile for everyone. M.V. (Mick), Brady Munster and Leinster Bank, was Mr golf as far as Bandon Club was in 1950 concerned. A big man and a big hitter. It was he who, on the 8th hole gave the name “Bradys hump” to the pinnacle on a little rise in the centre of the fairway 250 yards or so from th tee, reachable only if you could place your tee shot near but not in the rough on the right of the fairway, so as to allow the ball run on and down across the lop sided fairway beyond the hump from whence the green was reachable. Jack Hegarty, Hill Terrace, one of 5 brothers, Jim, Dave, Jack, Peter and Ted, a neat precise golfer, uncle of Rhona Brennan ne Hegarty, Jack worked with his cattle dealer father James, and so always had available the big car, a Dodge to transport 2,3,or 4 of us around to open meetings at other golf clubs on Sundays. He married Francis Lehane, Lissarda, lived for a while in Clonakilty, but then moved to Cork and became lost to us in Bandon Golf Club.
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Fr Pat Cahalane, Bandon’s newly appointed Parish Priest has long association with this parish as evidenced by this photo. He was member of the Bandon Golf Club Team which won the Senior West Cork Shield for the first time in 1961. Seated from left: Patrick J. McKenna, Jim Scully, G.H. Spiller, President, Dr M.J. Glancy, Captain, P.J. Ahern and Jim McKenna. Back from left: Jack O’Regan, Michael Lyons, Rev Pat Cahalane, Teddy Poland, Denis O’Keeffe and P.J. Downing.
1987 - Munster Champions - Mixed Foursomes
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1988 - Pierce Purcell Munster Final Winners
1988 - Munster Final Mixed Foursomes
1991 - Senior West Cork Sheild Winners
1987 - Intermediate League Winners
1986 - Minor League Winners
1980 - Intermediate League Winners
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1991 - Munster Mixed Foursomes Winners
1994 - Minor League Winners
1994 - West Cork Sheild Winners
1994 - Junior Cup Winners
1989 - Jimmy Bruen Munster Final Winners
1958 - Fermoy V Bandon Back Row: Catherine Barry, Kathleen Deasy Peggy Shinnick, Kit Barrett, Nora Dempsey, Bunty Good, Front Row: Liz Slattery, Betty May, Mary O’Reilly, Bunny Glancy
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1989 - Senior West Cork Sheild Winners
1980 - Senior West Cork Sheild Winners
1984 - Munster Cup Winners
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Bandon Golf Club Double West Cork Shield Winners 1981
Senior Shield Team: N. Mills, D. O’Donovan, P. O’Donovan, T. Healy, J. Slattery, J. Mehigan, N. Darcy, S. McKechnie, M. Stafford, M. Healy. Capt. J. Hickey, F. Hayes, J. O’Sullivan
Junior Shield Team: D. Fitzpatrick, B. O’Neill, P. Morrissey, J. Mackey, R. Galvin, S. McKechnie, J. Lane, T.N. Coakley, Capt J. Hickey, M. Coughlan, P. Comeford
N. Waugh
D. Fitzgerald
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Presidents, Captains and Lady Captains through the years
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Trustees: M. A. Neville, T. N. Coakley, J. A. Riordan, E. O’Driscoll
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Presidents
1909-24 1925-32 James Bernard Percy Bernard 4th Earl of Bandon 5th Earl of Bandon
1933-43 Joseph Brennan
1944 Thomas Brennan
1945 Tom Good
1946 R.S. Walsh
1947 M. O’Reilly
1948 T. Phelan
1949 J. Boushel
1950 Jim Neville
1951 Tom Good
1952 W. Slattery
1953 E.T. Callanan
1954 C. O’Donoghue
1955 J. Good
1956 T.A. Neville
1957 J.A. O’Shea
1958 R.B. Walsh
1959 Tom Good
1960 J. O’Donovan
1961 G.H. Spiller
1962 T.P. Houlihan
1963 Joe Shorten
1964 P.J. Downing
1965 D.T. Poland
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Presidents
170
1966 M.J. Glancy
1967 Jerry Calnan
1968 M.J. Mehigan
1969 E.T. Callanan
1970 T. Brennan
1971 H.F. Lynch
1972 T. O’Leary
1973 Denis O’Keeffe
1974-75 E. O’Driscoll
1976 E.T. Callanan
1977 T.N. Coakley
1978 M.A. Neville
1979 J.A. Riordan
1980 N.L. Noonan
1981 Finbar Murphy
1982 Noel Coghlan
1983 M.A. Neville
1984 John Mehigan
1985 John O’Driscoll
1986 P.J. Lacey
1987 Ken Hall
1988 J.A. Riordan
1989 M.J. Glancy
1990 Kevin Bowens
1991 W.D. Barry
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Presidents
1992 T.N. Coakley
1993 R.F. Price
1994 S. Collins
1995 Don Carey
1996 Jack O’Regan
1997 N.L. Noonan
1998 Jim McKeon
1999 D.C. Burke
2000 John Carroll
2001 M.P. Young
2002 Pat KeHOE
2003 M.B. Stafford
2004 Michael Halpin
2005 Paddy O’Flynn
2006 Jim Hurley
2007 John Donegan
2008 Gerry Fitzgerald
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Captains
172
1909-17 J.J. Calnan
1918 P Quinlivan
1919 W.S. Hosford
1920 Joseph Brennan
1921 M. McInery
1922 A Beatt
1923 Joseph Calnan
1924 W.H. Frost
1925 Thomas Brennan
1926 R.S. Walsh
1927 J.J. Clifton
1928 P.J. O’Driscoll
1929 E. Walsh
1930 J. Murphy
1931 J.F. Crotty
1932 W. Slattery
1933 J.V. McDonald
1934 Jim Neville
1935 J. Boushel
1936 Thomas Brennan
1937 J. Boushel
1938 T.J. Mehigan
1939 Phil Phelan
1940 Tom Good
1941 J. Collins
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Captains
1942 J.V. McDonald
1943 P.J. Lucey
1944 D. Fitzgibbon
1945 J. McCormack
1946 J. Hegarty
1947 E.T. Callanan
1948 M.V. Brady
1949 Pat Phelan
1950 J.D. McDermott
1951 J.F. O’Sullivan
1952 Jerry Calnan
1953 Joe Brennan
1954 R.B. Walsh
1955 J. Quill
1956 Joe Shorten
1957 T.P. Houlihan
1958 C. Hurley
1959 D.T. Poland
1960 T. O’Connor
1961 M.J. Glancy
1962 P.J. Leahy
1963 Jack O’Regan
1964 E. O’Driscoll
1965 Ted Hegarty
1966 T. Brennan
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Captains
174
1967 H.F. Lynch
1968 T. O’Leary
1969 Jerry Calnan
1970 Denis O’Keeffe
1971 John Boushel
1972 M.A. Neville
1973 Denis McSweeney
1974 T.N. Coakley
1975 J.A. Riordan
1976 N.L. Noonan
1977 P. McSweeney
1978 D. O’Donovan
1979 John Mehigan
1980 S. Collins
1981 John Hickey
1982 Ken Hall
1983 R.F. Price
1984 P.J. Morrissey
1985 N.L. Noonan
1986 J.H. Brennan
1987 M.P. Young
1988 Ricky Galvin
1989 John Carroll
1990 P.J. Flynn
1991 J.G. O’Donovan
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Captains
1992 Denis O’Brien
1993 M.B. Stafford
1994 J.J. O’Riordan
1995 S. O’Mahony
1996 Jim O’Driscoll
1997 Tony O’Leary
1998 Frank O’Leary
1999 John Donegan
2000 Jim Hurley
2001 Kevin O’Leary
2002 Donal O’Donovan
2003 F. McCarthy
2004 Bernard O’Driscoll
2005 Pat McCarthy
2006 Ger O’Mahony
2007 Lewis O’Mahony
2008 Michael O’Mahony
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Lady Captains
176
1957 Agnes O’Driscoll
1958 K. Deasy
1959 Anna Slattery
1960 J. O’Sullivan
1961 Bunny Clancy
1962 Teresa Slattery
1963 M. L. Barrett
1964 Eileen McSweeney
1965 V. Wheeler
1966 Monica Hickey
1967 Murial Bowers
1968 Margaret Shorten
1969 Anna Slattery
1970 Barbara Scott
1971 Sheila O’Dea
1972 B. Collins
1973 Anne Lynch
1974 Bunny Clancy
1975 Kay Doyle
1976 Vera Hegarty
1977 Elma Moloney
1978 Felicia Keating
1979 Nell Walsh
1980 Agnes Deasy
1981 Mary O’Mahony
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Lady Captains
1982 Kathleen O’Driscoll
1983 Carmel O’Driscoll
1984 Maureen O’Connor
1985 Marie Walsh
1986 Phil Craig
1987 Martha Hall
1988 Siobhan McGrath
1989 Elma O’Brien
1990 Norma Deasy
1991 Mary Taaffe
1992 Irene Noonan
1993 Frieda McClemant
1994 Rhona Brennan
1995 June Murphy
1996 Angela Barrett
1997 Ann O’Regan
1998 Mary O’Farrell
1999 Laurena Goggin
2000 Lucy O’Mahony
2004 Margaret Sheehan
2005 Lia Walsh
2001 2002 Bernadette Canniffe Margaret O’Brien
2006 Paula Reardon
2007 Anne Leonard
2003 Miriam Murphy
2008 Rose Lynch
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Members List Adams, Terry [Mr.] Ahern, Finbarr [Mr] Ahern, John [Mr] Ahern, Kieran [Mr] Ahern, Teresa [Mrs] Aherne, John [Mr] Alwell, James [Mr] Alwell, William [Mr] Anders, Michelle [Ms.] Appelbe, Fergus [Mr] Appelbe, Georgina [Mrs] Armitage, Aisling [Mrs.] Armitage, Philip [Mr.] Arnopp, Louise [Ms.] Atkins, Frank [Mr] Austerberry, George [Mr.] Bambury, Noel [Mr] Bambury, TomĂ s [Mr.] Banks, David [Mr] Banks, Marjorie [Mrs] Bannon, Paddy [Mr] Barr, Mairead [Mrs] Barr, Paul [Mr] Barrett, Angela [Mrs] Barrett, Christine [Miss] Barrett, Denise [Mrs.] Barrett, James [Mr] Barrett, James A [Mr] Barrett, Jim [Mr.] Barrett, John [Mr.] Barrett, Mark [Mr] Barrett, Mary [Mrs] Barriscale, Jack [Mr] Barry Ring, Marie [Mrs] Barry, Billy [Mr] Barry, Brian [Mr] Barry, Dave [Mr] Barry, Gina [Miss] Barry, John J [Mr] Barry, Michael [Mr] Barry, Mike [Mr.] Beamish, Finola [Mrs] Beamish, George [Mr] Begley, Brian [Mr.] Berkery, Michael [Mr] Bernard, Jennifer [Lady] Bonner, Jack [Mr] Bourke, Conor [Mr] Bowdren, Gregory [Mr.] Bowens, Kevin [Mr] Boyd, Derek [Mr.] Boylan, John [Mr] Brady, Bernard [Mr] Brady, John [Mr] Bray, Bernard [Mr] Bray, Kieran [Mr] Brennan, Jim [Mr] Brennan, Liz [Ms] Brennan, Marian [Mrs] Brennan, Patricia [Ms] Brennan, Philip [Mr] Brennan, Rhona [Mrs.] Brennan, Tom [Mr] Brimble, Malcolm [Mr] Brookes, Clive [Mr] Brookes, James [Mr] Brooks, Ian [Mr] Brophy, Ann [Mrs]
178
Brophy, Kevin [Mr] Brophy, Kevin J [Mr.] Brophy, Patrick [Mr] Brosnan, Jack [Mr] Brosnan, John G [Mr] Buckley, Anne [Mrs] Buckley, Margaret [Ms] Buckley, Nuala [Mrs] Buckley, Willie [Mr] Buckley-Barry, Lorcan [Mr] Burke, Aileen [Mrs] Burke, Des [Mr] Burke, Donal C [Mr] Burke, Donncha [Mr] Burke, Eoin [Mr] Burke, John [Mr] Burke, Norma [Mrs] Burke, Theresa [Mrs] Burke, William [Mr] Burns, James [Mr] Butler, Brendan [Mr] Butler, Noel [Mr.] Byrne, Hugh [Mr] Cadogan, Finbarr [Mr] Cahalane, Michael [Mr] Cahalane, Patrick [Mr] Cahill, Ger [Mr] Callaghan, Mary [Mrs] Callanan, Kevin [Mr] Callanan, Mary [Mrs] Calnan, Anthony [Dr] Campion, Des [Rev] Canniffe, Ber [Miss] Canniffe, Neil [Mr] Canning, Margaret [Mrs] Canning, Sean [Mr] Carey, Don [Mr] Carey, Pat [Mrs] Carey, Philip [Mr.] Carrig, Senan [Mr] Carroll, John [Mr] Carroll, Margaret [Miss] Carroll, Shane [Mr] Casey, Sean [Mr] Chaillet, Yves [Mr] Clarke, Deirdre [Miss] Clarke, Robert [Mr] Clarke, Sean [Mr] Coakley, John J [Mr.] Coakley, Niall [Mr.] Coakley, Ollie [Mr] Cogan, John [Mr] Coghlan, Noel [Mr] Coleman Snr, Derry [Mr] Coleman, Diarmuid R [Mr] Coleman, Eileen [Mrs] Coleman, Mark [Mr] Coleman, Muireann [Miss] Collins, Christopher [Mr] Collins, Colm [Mr.] Collins, Denis J [Rev] Collins, Donal [Mr] Collins, Edward J [Rev] Collins, John J [Mr.] Collins, Maureen [Mrs] Collins, Paul [Mr] Collins, PJ [Mr] Collins, Sean [Mr]
Comerford, Patrick [Mr] Condon, Liam [Mr] Conlon, Brendan [Mr.] Connolly, Maureen [Mrs] Coomey, Noel [Mr] Coomey, Oliver [Mr] Corcoran, Andrew [Mr] Corcoran, Brian [Mr] Corcoran, Frank [Mr] Corcoran, Gerard [Mr] Costello, Bernie [Mrs] Cotter, Kitty [Mrs] Coughlan, Dominic [Mr] Coughlan, Johnny [Mr] Coughlan, Jonathan [Mr] Coughlan, Nora [Mrs] Coughlan, Paul [Mr] Coughlan, Sean [Mr] Courtney, Damien [Mr] Coveney, Dominic [Mr] Cowhig, Cliona [Ms.] Cowhig, Mary [Mrs] Cowhig, Tim [Mr] Craig, Phil [Miss] Creedon, Liam [Mr] Creedon, Robert [Mr] Cremen, John [Mr] Cronin, Brian [Mr] Cronin, Denis [Mr] Cronin, Donal [Mr] Cronin, Donal P [Mr] Cronin, Jacqueline [Ms] Cronin, John [Mr] Cronin, Martin [Mr.] Crowley, Adrienne [Mrs] Crowley, Anna [Ms.] Crowley, Brian [Mr] Crowley, Brian [Mr] Crowley, Charles [Mr] Crowley, Conor [Mr] Crowley, Dan [Mr] Crowley, Darren [Mr] Crowley, David N [Mr] Crowley, David P [Mr] Crowley, Denis John [Mr] Crowley, Denis T [Mr] Crowley, Fintan [Mr] Crowley, Flor [Mr] Crowley, Ger [Mr] Crowley, Jeremy [Mr] Crowley, John [Mr] Crowley, Kevin [Mr] Crowley, Michael D [Mr] Crowley, Mike E [Mr] Crowley, Niall [Mr] Crowley, Niall K [Mr] Crowley, Niamh [Ms.] Crowley, Noirin [Mrs] Crowley, Olan [Mr] Crowley, Philip [Mr] Crowley, Ronan [Mr] Crowley, Sean [Mr] Crowley, Tessa [Ms] Cunningham, Frank [Mr] Curran, Cumain [Mrs] Curran, Philip [Mr] Curtin, Darren [Mr.] Curtin, John [Mr]
Bandon Golf Book Mar09:Layout 3
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Dalton, Michael F [Mr] Daly, Barry [Mr] Daly, Emmet [Mr] Daly, Mary [Mrs] D'Arcy, Nora [Mrs] D'Arcy, Tom [Mr] Davis, John [Mr] Davis, Johnathan [Mr] Dawes, Neil [Mr] Deane, Brendan [Mr] Deane, James [Mr] Deasy O' Keeffe, Noreen [Mrs.] Deasy, Agnes [Ms] Deasy, James [Mr] Deasy, Michael [Mr] Deasy, Norma [Ms] Deasy, Peter [Mr] Deegan, Denis [Mr.] Dennis, John A [Mr] Desmond, Annmarie [Ms] Desmond, Brian [Mr] Desmond, Garry [Mr] Desmond, Geoffrey [Mr] Desmond, James [Mr] Desmond, Jerry [Mr] Desmond, Jim [Mr] Desmond, Margaret [Mrs] Desmond, Mark [Mr] Desmond, Paul [Mr] Desmond, Peter [Mr] Desmond, Robert [Mr] Dillane, Noreen [Mrs] Dineen, Owen [Mr] Dineen, Pat [Mr.] Donegan, Henry [Mr.] Donegan, John [Mr.] Donegan, Margaret [Mrs] Donoghue, Ray [Mr] Donovan, Donal A [Mr] Donovan, Joey [Mr] Donovan, John [Mr] Dooley, Pat [Mr] Dorgan, Mary [Mrs] Dorman, Mark [Mr] Down, Fred [Mr] Downing, Paddy [Mr] Doyle, John [Mr] Doyle, Kay [Mrs] Doyle, Mark [Mr] Doyle, Siobhan [Ms.] Duggan, Jerry [Mr] Dukelow, David [Mr] Dunlea, Martin [Mr.] Dunlea, Mary [Ms] Egan, Tony [Mr] Eisenring, Otto [Mr] Eisenring, Ursula [Mrs] Ellis, Shane [Mr] Everard, Ciaran [Mr.] Fahey, Shiela [Mrs] Falvey, Ned [Mr] Falvey, Robert [Mr] Fenton, Ann [Mrs] Fenton, Kate Anne [Ms.] Fitzgerald, Aidan [Mr] Fitzgerald, Denis [Mr] Fitzgerald, Gerry [Mr.] Fitzgerald, Olivia [Miss]
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Fitzgerald, Orlaith [Miss] Fitzgerald, Paschaline [Mrs] Fitzgerald, Siobhain [Mrs] Fitzpatrick, Tim [Mr] Flanagan, Shane [Mr] Fleming, Henry [Mr] Fleming, Jane [Mrs.] Fleming, John [Mr] Fleming, Noreen [Mrs] Flynn, Aidan [Mr] Flynn, Ann Beasley [Mrs] Flynn, Brian [Mr] Flynn, David [Mr.] Flynn, Frank [Mr.] Flynn, John [Mr] Flynn, Maire [Mrs] Flynn, Mark [Mr] Flynn, PJ [Mr] Flynn, Tim [Mr] Flynn, Vera [Mrs] Fogarty, Brendan [Mr] Fogarty, Colm [Mr.] Fogarty, Evelyn [Mrs] Fogarty, Orla [Miss] Fogarty, Patrick [Rev] Fogarty, Rory [Mr.] Foley, Shiela [Mrs] Foley, Tim [Mr] Forde, Anthony [Mr] Forde, John [Mr] Frawley, Noel [Mr] Frawley, Robert [Mr] Galfard-kirsten, Sylvie [Mrs] Galligan, John [Mr] Galvin, Bernie [Mrs] Galvin, Diane [Ms] Galvin, Greg [Mr] Galvin, Jeanette [Mrs] Galvin, Moss [Mr] Galvin, Patsy [Mr] Galvin, Richard [Mr] Galvin, Ricky [Mr] Galwey, Noel [Mr] Gavin, Michael [Mr] Gaynor, Brendan [Mr] Gaynor, Rory [Mr] Gillan, Seamus [Mr] Ginn, Mark [Mr] Gloster, Ken [Mr] Goggin, Eddie [Mr] Goggin, Luarena [Mrs.] Goggin, Tim [Mr] Golden, Denis [Mr] Good, Eric [Mr] Good, Mervyn [Mr] Goulding, Brian [Mr] Goulding, Tony [Mr] Gray, Trevor [Mr] Greene, Frank [Mr] Griffin, Barry [Mr] Griffin, John Paul [Mr] Grimes, David [Mr] Gumbleton, Robert [Mr] Hall, Martha [Mrs] Hallisey, Ted [Mr] Hallissey, Jack [Mr] Halpin, Mary [Mrs] Halpin, Mike [Mr]
Halpin, Mike P [Mr] Hannigan, Gene [Mr] Hannigan, Liam [Mr] Hannon, Donal [Mr.] Harrington, Christopher [Mr.] Harrington, Finbarr [Mr] Harrington, Mark [Mr] Harrington, Philip [Mr] Harrington, Sean [Mr.] Harris, Thomas [Mr] Hawkins, Sam [Mr] Hayes, Christy [Mr] Hayes, Gearoid [Mr] Healy, Fergus [Mr] Healy, Jo [Ms] Healy, Maurice Anthony [Mr] Healy, Phil [Mrs] Healy, Tony [Mr] Hegarty, Helen [Miss] Hegarty, Hilda [Miss] Hegarty, Jack [Mr] Hegarty, Joe [Mr] Hegarty, Ted [Mr] Hegarty, Vera [Mrs] Hennessy, Jerry [Mr] Hennessy, Jerry T [Mr] Hennessy, John [Mr] Hennessy, Michelle [Ms.] Hennessy, Mick [Mr] Hernon, Maureen [Mrs] Hickey, Leo [Mr] Hickey, Monica [Mrs] Hickey, Tom [Mr] Hill, Dave [Mr] Hill, James [Mr.] Hodnett, Barry [Mr] Hoechli, Michael [Mr] Hoey, Pauline [Ms] Holland, Clare [Mrs] Holland, Stephen [Mr] Holland, Tim [Mr] Horgan, Liam [Mr.] Horgan, Margaret [Mrs] Horgan, Richard [Mr] Horn, Mary [Mrs] Horn, Peter [Mr] Houlihan, Billy [Mr] Houlihan, Irene [Mrs] Houlihan, Michael [Mr] Hourihane, Conor [Mr] Hourihane, John [Mr] Hourihane, Patrick [Mr] Hudson, Joe [Mr] Hunter, Sam [Mr] Hurley, Cathal [Mr] Hurley, Colum [Mr] Hurley, Denis [Mr] Hurley, Gretta [Mrs] Hurley, James [Mr] Hurley, Jeremy [Mr] Hurley, Jim [Mr.] Hurley, John [Mr] Hurley, Kevin [Mr] Hurley, Kieran [Mr] Hurley, Kieran [Mr] Hurley, Kieran J [Mr.] Hurley, Lorna [Miss] Hurley, Michael [Mr]
179
Bandon Golf Book Mar09:Layout 3
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Hurley, Michael J [Mr] Hurley, Noel [Mr] Hurley, Norma [Mrs] Hurley, Richard [Rev] Hurley, Susan [Miss] Hyde, Sean [Mr] Hynes, Francis [Mr] Hynes, James [Mr] Jeffers, Mervyn [Mr] Johnson, Ann [Mrs] Johnson, Colm [Mr] Johnson, SĂle [Miss] Jones, Stephen [Mr] Joyce, Stephen [Mr] Kavanagh, David [Mr] Kavanagh, Pat [Mr] Keane, Anne [Mrs.] Kearney, Margaret [Ms] Kearney, Pat [Mr] Keegan, John [Mr] Keegan, Tony [Mr] Keeshan, Denis [Mr] Kehily, Jacinta [Mrs] Kehoe, Mark [Mr] Kehoe, Paddy [Mr] Kehoe, Patrick [Mr] Kelleher, Aidan [Mr] Kelleher, Angela [Mrs] Kelleher, Bertie [Mr] Kelleher, Bill [Mr] Kelleher, Donal [Mr] Kelleher, Frank [Mr] Kelleher, Laboure [Mrs] Kelleher, Ronan [Mr.] Kelleher, Stephen [Mr] Kelleher, Therese [Mrs] Kelly, Ann [Mrs] Kelly, Brian [Mr] Kelly, Conor [Mr] Kelly, David [Mr] Kelly, Fiona [Miss] Kelly, Joe [Mr] Kelly, John L [Mr] Kelly, Mark [Mr] Kelly, Martin [Mr] Kelly, Ronan [Mr.] Kelly, Thomas [Mr] Kendellen, Andrew [Mr] Kendellen, Brian B [Mr] Kenneally, Patrick F [Mr] Kennedy, Joe [Mr.] Kennedy, Sean [Mr] Kenny, Jim [Mr] Keogh, Siobhan [Mrs] Keohane, Martin [Rev] Kerr, Gavin [Mr.] Kevane, Noel [Mr] Keyes McDonnell, Colm [Mr] Keyes, Killan [Mr] Killeen, Liam [Mr] Kilmartin, Lillian [Ms.] Kingston, Alison [Ms] Kingston, Georgina [Ms.] Kingston, Jack [Mr.] Kingston, Mark [Mr] Kingston, Richard [Mr] Kirwan, Mark [Mr] Kirwan, Matthew [Mr]
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Kirwan, Miriam [Mrs] Lacey, John [Mr] Lane, Helen [Mrs] Lane, Martin [Dr] Lankford, Eoin [Mr] Lankford, Noreen [Mrs] Lawlor, Shane [Mr] Leahy, Brian [Mr] Lehane, Declan [Mr] Lehane, Donnacha [Mr] Lehane, Margaret [Mrs] Lehane, Orla [Miss] Lehane, Paddy [Mr] Lehane, Ronan [Mr] Leonard, Anne [Mrs.] Leonard, Elaine [Miss] Leonard, John [Mr] Leonard, Sarah [Miss] Linehan, Adrian [Mr] Lingwood, Catherine [Ms] Long, Brian [Mr] Long, David [Mr] Long, David J [Mr] Long, Frank [Mr] Long, Helen [Mrs] Long, James [Mr] Lucey, Denise [Mrs] Lucey, Donal [Mr] Lucey, Finbarr [Mr] Lucey, John [Mr] Lucey, John C [Mr] Lucey, Tim [Mr] Lucey, Tony [Mr.] Lynch, Andy [Mr] Lynch, Bairore [Miss] Lynch, Bernard [Mr] Lynch, Conor [Mr] Lynch, Gary [Mr] Lynch, Leo [Mr] Lynch, Rose [Mrs.] Lynch, Sean [Mr.] Lyne, John J [Mr] Lyons, Frank [Mr.] MacCarthy O'Hea, Fergus [Mr] Mackey, Jim [Mr] Madden, Bernard [Mr] Mahon, Dave [Mr] Mahon, Katherine [Mrs] Mahon, Tony [Mr] Mahony, Cian [Mr.] Mahony, Kate [Miss] Mangan, John [Mr] Manley, Denis [Mr] Manning, Eoin [Mr] Mannion, Pat [Mr] Martin, Seamus [Mr] Mason, John [Mr] Maybury, Martin [Mr] McAree, Padraig [Mr] McCann, Carol [Ms] McCarthy, Aisling [Ms] McCarthy, Angela [Mrs] McCarthy, Barry [Mr] McCarthy, Betty [Mrs] McCarthy, Brian [Mr] McCarthy, Carina [Ms] McCarthy, Charles [Mr] McCarthy, Conall [Mr.]
McCarthy, Dan [Mr] McCarthy, Dave [Mr.] McCarthy, Don [Mr] McCarthy, Donal [Mr] McCarthy, Finbarr [Mr] McCarthy, John J [Mr] McCarthy, Kevin [Mr] McCarthy, Kevin P [Mr] McCarthy, Mary [Mrs] McCarthy, Nuala [Mrs] McCarthy, Owen [Mr] McCarthy, Pat B [Mr.] McCarthy, Patrick W [Mr] McCarthy, Seamus [Mr] McCarthy, Sean [Mr.] McCarthy, Tim [Mr] McCarthy, Timothy [Mr] McCutcheon, Grace [Mrs] McDonnell, Hugh [Mr] McGarry, Billy [Mr] McGarry, Kenneth [Mr] McGilton, Alan [Mr] McGinley, Anne-Marie [Dr] McGinley, Clare [Mrs] McGinley, John [Mr] McGonigle, Michael [Mr] McGrath, Mary [Mrs] McGrath, Siobhan [Mrs] McGrath, Tom [Mr] McGuinness, Geraldine [Mrs.] McGuinness, Tony [Dr] McKeon, Jim [Mr] McKeon, Tony [Mr] McLaughlin, David [Mr] McLoughlin, Barry [Mr] McNamara, Mathew [Mr.] McNamara, Noel [Mr.] McSweeney, Brian [Mr] McSweeney, Conor [Mr] McSweeney, Daniel [Mr] McSweeney, Eileen [Mrs] McSweeney, Eoin [Mr.] McSweeney, Eric [Mr.] McSweeney, Michael [Mr] McSweeney, Paul [Mr] McSweeney, Sean [Mr.] Mehigan, Annette [Mrs] Mehigan, Conor [Mr] Mehigan, Jerry [Mr] Mehigan, Mike [Mr] Merrick, Brian [Mr] Merrick, June [Mrs] Mills, Noel [Mr] Minihan, Michael [Mr] Minihan, Patrick P [Mr.] Minihane, Carol [Mrs] Minihane, Cian [Mr.] Minihane, John [Mr] Minihane, Stephen [Mr] Mitchell, James [Mr] Moloney, Cathal [Mr] Moloney, Conor [Mr.] Moloney, Cora [Mrs] Moloney, Gabriel [Mr] Moloney, Stephen [Mr.] Moloney, Terry [Mr] Moore, Peter [Mr.] Morgan, David [Mr]
Bandon Golf Book Mar09:Layout 3
Moriarty, Mary [Mrs] Moriarty, Michael [Mr] Moriarty, Tom [Mr.] Morrison, Con [Mr] Morrison, Frank [Mr] Morrissey, Niall [Mr] Muir, Mark [Mr] Mulcahy, Jim [Mr] Mulcahy, Thomas Barry [Mr] Mulhall, Michael [Mr] Murphy, Adrian [Mr] Murphy, Anna [Mrs.] Murphy, Anne [Mrs] Murphy, Brian [Mr] Murphy, Caroline [Ms] Murphy, Cathal [Mr.] Murphy, Con [Mr] Murphy, Conail [Mr] Murphy, Dan [Mr] Murphy, Denis [Mr] Murphy, Dermot [Mr] Murphy, Donal [Mr.] Murphy, Gearoid [Mr] Murphy, Hugh [Mr] Murphy, Jack [Mr.] Murphy, John C [Mr] Murphy, John M [Mr] Murphy, John P [Mr] Murphy, June [Mrs] Murphy, JV [Mr] Murphy, Kieran [Mr] Murphy, Leo [Mr] Murphy, Maura [Mrs] Murphy, Michael [Mr] Murphy, Miriam [Mrs.] Murphy, Nessa [Ms.] Murphy, Nicholas [Mr] Murphy, Noel [Mr] Murphy, Nora [Mrs] Murphy, Owen [Mr] Murphy, Padraig [Mr] Murphy, Pat [Mr] Murphy, Patrick J [Mr] Murphy, Patrick Jnr [Mr] Murphy, Paul [Mr] Murphy, Peadar [Mr] Murphy, Richard [Mr] Murphy, Ronald [Mr] Murphy, Ronnie [Mr] Murphy, Sean [Mr.] Murphy, Sean [Mr] Murphy, Sean G [Mr] Murphy, Sean Og [Mr] Murphy, Shane [Mr] Murphy, Suzanne [Mrs] Murphy, Ted [Mr] Murphy, Tim [Mr] Murphy, Tony [Mr] Murray, Billy [Mr] Murray, Damien [Mr.] Murray, Darren [Mr] Murray, David [Mr] Murray, Don [Mr] Murray, Helen [Mrs] Murray, Nicole [Miss] Murray, Paddy [Mr] Murray, Stephanie [Mrs.] Murray, Thomas [Mr]
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Murray, Tim [Mr.] Murray, Tony [Mr] Murray, Yvonne [Miss] Nagle, Finbarr [Mr] Nagle, Mary Catherine [Ms] Nagle, Oliver [Mr] Nash, Barry [Mr.] Neville, Tony [Mr] Neville, Veronica [Ms] Noonan, Irene [Mrs.] Noonan, Norman [Mr] Norton, Fred [Mr] Norton, Marie [Mrs] Nott, Brendan [Mr] Nott, Maureen [Mrs] Nyhan, Frank [Mr.] Nyhan, Jim [Mr] Nyhan, Martin [Mr] Nyhan, Patricia [Mrs] O'Beirne, Mel [Mr] O'Boyle, Alan [Mr] O'Boyle, Conor [Mr] O'Brien, Ann [Mrs] O'Brien, Colman [Mr] O'Brien, D Kieran [Mr] O'Brien, Daragh [Mr] O'Brien, David [Mr] O'Brien, Denis V [Mr] O'Brien, Dermot [Mr] O'Brien, Elma [Ms] O'Brien, Gus [Mr] O'Brien, Helen [Mrs] O'Brien, John [Mr] O'Brien, Kieran W [Mr] O'Brien, Margaret [Mrs] O'Brien, Matthew [Mr] O'Brien, Michael P [Mr] O'Brien, Paddy [Mr] O'Brien, Peter [Mr.] O'Callaghan, Andrew [Mr] O'Callaghan, Brid [Mrs] O'Callaghan, David [Mr] O'Callaghan, Hugh [Mr] O'Callaghan, Jerry [Mr] O'Callaghan, Joe [Mr] O'Callaghan, Joe K [Mr] O'Callaghan, Kevin [Mr] O'Callaghan, Paul [Mr] O'Callaghan, Sean [Mr] O'Connell, Daniel [Mr] O'Connell, Denise [Ms.] O'Connell, Derry [Mr] O'Connell, John R [Mr] O'Connell, Kieran [Mr] O'Connell, Michael [Mr] O'Connell, Noel [Mr] O'Connell, Peter [Mr.] O'Connell, Susan [Ms] O'Connell, Tom [Mr] O'Connor, Eamonn [Mr] O'Connor, Eddie [Mr] O'Connor, Ken [Mr.] O'Connor, Mary [Mrs] O'Connor, Michael [Mr] O'Connor, Noel [Mr] O'Connor, Rory [Mr] O'Connor, Sean [Mr] O'Connor, Tadhg [Mr]
O'Connor, Ted [Mr] O'Connor, Theresa [Mrs] O'Connor, Tom [Mr.] O'Dea, Fergus [Mr] O'Dea, Marie [Ms] O'Dea, Shiela [Mrs] O'Dell, Michael [Mr.] O'Donnell, Desmond [Mr] O'Donnell, Fiach [Mr.] O'Donnell, Lorcan [Mr] O'Donoghue, Catherine [Ms] O'Donoghue, Darren J [Mr] O'Donoghue, Kathleen [Mrs.] O'Donoghue, Mary [Mrs] O'Donoghue, Sean [Mr] O'Donoghue, Thomas [Mr] O'Donoghue, Tommy D [Mr] O'Donoghue, Trevor [Mr.] O'Donovan, Adrian [Mr] O'Donovan, Barry [Mr] O'Donovan, Brian [Mr] O'Donovan, Brian [Mr] O'Donovan, Charlie [Mr] O'Donovan, Chris [Rev] O'Donovan, Cian J [Mr] O'Donovan, Dan [Mr] O'Donovan, Darragh [Mr] O'Donovan, Darragh E [Mr.] O'Donovan, David [Mr.] O'Donovan, Denis [Mr] O'Donovan, DJ [Mr] O'Donovan, Donal [Mr] O'Donovan, Donie [Mr.] O'Donovan, Eileen [Mrs] O'Donovan, Eoghan [Mr] O'Donovan, Fiona [Miss] O'Donovan, Jerry [Mr] O'Donovan, Jim [Rev] O'Donovan, John A M [Mr] O'Donovan, John E [Mr] O'Donovan, John F [Rev] O'Donovan, John G [Mr] O'Donovan, John P [Mr] O'Donovan, John V [Mr] O'Donovan, Johnny [Mr] O'Donovan, Kay [Mrs] O'Donovan, Kay M [Mrs] O'Donovan, Liam [Mr] O'Donovan, Mary [Ms] O'Donovan, Mary Rose [Mrs] O'Donovan, Orla [Miss] O'Donovan, Renee [Ms] O'Donovan, Sean [Mr] O'Donovan, Sephine S [Ms] O'Donovan, Vincent [Mr] O'Dowd, Des [Mr] O'Dowd, Enda [Mr] O'Dowd, Myra [Mrs] O'Driscoll, Adriene [Mr] O'Driscoll, Barry [Mr.] O'Driscoll, Bernard [Mr] O'Driscoll, Brian [Mr] O'Driscoll, Carmel [Mrs] O'Driscoll, Colm [Mr.] O'Driscoll, David [Mr.] O'Driscoll, Denis [Mr] O'Driscoll, Edward [Mr] O'Driscoll, Edward [Mr]
181
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O'Driscoll, Emer [Miss] O'Driscoll, Finola [Miss] O'Driscoll, Flor [Mr] O'Driscoll, Jim [Mr] O'Driscoll, John [Mr] O'Driscoll, Kathleen [Mrs] O'Driscoll, Kieran [Mr.] O'Driscoll, Marion [Mrs] O'Driscoll, Mark [Mr.] O'Driscoll, Martin [Dr] O'Driscoll, Martina [Mrs] O'Driscoll, Michael [Mr] O'Driscoll, Michael [Mr] O'Driscoll, Miriam [Mrs] O'Driscoll, Pat [Mr] O'Driscoll, PJ [Mr] O'Driscoll, Tony [Mr] O'Driscoll, Valerie [Miss] O'Driscoll, Willie [Mr] O'Dwyer, Kevin [Mr] O'Dwyer, Kyle [Mr.] O'Dwyer, Shea [Mr.] O'Farrell, Barry [Mr] O'Farrell, Mary [Mrs] O'Flynn, Ann [Mrs] O'Flynn, Catherine [Mrs] O'Flynn, Catherine M [Mrs] O'Flynn, Gearoid [Mr] O'Flynn, Gerard [Mr] O'Flynn, Harry [Mr] O'Flynn, Jerry [Mr] O'Flynn, Margaret [Mrs] O'Flynn, Paddy [Mr.] O'Flynn, Richard [Mr] O'Gallchoir, Daithi [Mr] O'Gallchoir, Paraic [Mr] O'Gorman, Brian [Mr] O'Halloran, Bernadette [Mrs] O'Halloran, Bryan [Mr] O'Halloran, Declan [Mr] O'Halloran, Gerard [Mr] O'Halloran, Niall [Mr] O'Halloran, Noel [Mr] O'Halloran, Theresa [Mrs] O'Keeffe, Aileen [Ms] O'Keeffe, Brendan [Mr] O'Keeffe, Deirbhile [Miss] O'Keeffe, Jim [Mr] O'Keeffe, Maeve [Dr] O'Keeffe, Maurice [Mr] O'Keeffe, Micheal [Mr] O'Keeffe, Tim [Mr.] O'Kelly, Tim [Mr] O'Leary, Alice [Mrs] O'Leary, Colin [Mr.] O'Leary, Conor [Mr] O'Leary, David [Mr] O'Leary, Denis [Very Rev.] O'Leary, Eileen [Miss] O'Leary, Fionn [Mr] O'Leary, Frank [Mr] O'Leary, Grace [Ms] O'Leary, Jerry [Mr] O'Leary, Jimmy [Mr] O'Leary, Kathleen [Miss] O'Leary, Kevin [Mr] O'Leary, Kevin D [Mr] O'Leary, Padraig [Mr.]
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O'Leary, Paul [Mr] O'Leary, Siobhan [Ms] O'Leary, Susan [Miss] O'Leary, Tony [Mr] Olney, Jim [Mr] O'Mahony, Alan [Mr] O'Mahony, Anne [Mrs.] O'Mahony, Anne [Ms] O'Mahony, Bertie [Rev] O'Mahony, Brendan [Mr.] O'Mahony, Brian [Mr] O'Mahony, Carl [Mr] O'Mahony, Carmel [Mrs] O'Mahony, Cian [Mr] O'Mahony, Colin [Mr] O'Mahony, Colman [Mr] O'Mahony, David [Mr] O'Mahony, Eoin [Mr] O'Mahony, Frank [Mr] O'Mahony, Ger [Mr.] O'Mahony, Gerard [Mr] O'Mahony, James P [Mr] O'Mahony, Kathleen [Mrs] O'Mahony, Katriona [Ms.] O'Mahony, Lewis [Mr.] O'Mahony, Lucy [Mrs] O'Mahony, Mary [Mrs] O'Mahony, Michael [Mr.] O'Mahony, Michael [Rev] O'Mahony, Michelle [Ms.] O'Mahony, Seamus [Mr] O'Mahony, Tim [Mr] O'Murchu, Sean [Mr] O'Neill, Alex [Mr.] O'Neill, Betty [Mrs] O'Neill, Billy B [Mr] O'Neill, Brendan [Mr] O'Neill, Colm [Mr.] O'Neill, Declan [Mr] O'Neill, Fergal [Mr] O'Neill, Gerard [Rev] O'Neill, Jack [Mr.] O'Neill, Jim [Mr] O'Neill, John [Mr] O'Neill, Padraig [Mr] O'Neill, PJ [Mr] O'Neill, Raymond [Mr] O'Neill, Shane [Mr] O'Regan, Ann [Mrs.] O'Regan, Jack [Mr] O'Regan, John [Mr] O'Regan, John M [Mr] O'Regan, Niall [Mr] O'Regan, Ted [Mr] O'Regan, Timothy [Mr] O'Reilly, Anne [Mrs] O'Reilly, Eoin [Mr.] O'Reilly, Richard [Mr.] O'Reilly, Sean [Mr] O'Reilly, Tony [Mr.] O'Riordan, Denis [Mr] O'Riordan, JJ [Mr] O'Riordan, Patrick [Mr] O'Riordan, Sean [Mr.] O'Rourke, Ann [Mrs] O'Rourke, Niall [Mr] O'Shea, Bernadette [Ms] O'Shea, Flor [Mr]
O'Shea, John F [Mr] O'Shea, Kieran [Mr] O'Shea, Paddy [Mr] O'Shea, Thomas P [Mr] O'Sullivan, Barry [Mr] O'Sullivan, Brian [Mr] O'Sullivan, Brian [Mr] O'Sullivan, Cathal [Mr.] O'Sullivan, Con [Mr] O'Sullivan, Con Dan [Mr.] O'Sullivan, Conor [Mr] O'Sullivan, Cornelia [Mrs] O'Sullivan, Declan [Mr] O'Sullivan, Denis [Mr] O'Sullivan, Diarmuid [Mr.] O'Sullivan, DJ [Mr] O'Sullivan, Don A [Mr] O'Sullivan, Don R [Mr] O'Sullivan, Eimear [Ms] O'Sullivan, Emma [Ms] O'Sullivan, Finbarr [Mr] O'Sullivan, Ger [Mr.] O'Sullivan, J.D. [Mr.] O'Sullivan, Jim [Mr.] O'Sullivan, John A (Snr) [Mr] O'Sullivan, John A [Mr] O'Sullivan, John J [Mr] O'Sullivan, John L [Mr] O'Sullivan, Kay [Mrs] O'Sullivan, Kevin [Mr] O'Sullivan, Kevin P [Mr] O'Sullivan, Marc T [Mr] O'Sullivan, Margaret [Mrs] O'Sullivan, Noel [Mr] O'Sullivan, Paddy [Mr] O'Sullivan, Paul [Mr] O'Sullivan, Phyllis [Mrs] O'Sullivan, Ricky [Mr] O'Sullivan, Stephen [Mr] O'Sullivan, Tom [Mr] O'Sullivan, Val [Mr] O'Toole, Pat [Mr] O'Tuama, Anna [Ms] O'Tuama, Anne [Mrs] O'Tuama, Eoghan [Mr] O'Tuama, Finbarr [Mr] O'Tuama, Michael [Mr] Owens, Barry [Mr] Paterson, Carola [Ms] Payne, Brian [Mr] Payne, Ray [Mr] Pearson, Roger [Mr] Philpott, John [Mr] Philpott, Paul [Mr] Piper, Mark [Mr] Powell, Philip [Mr] Power, John [Mr] Power, Michael [Mr] Price, Rodney [Mr] Pyburn, Danny [Rev] Quaid, Brian [Mr] Quaid, Denis [Mr.] Quaid, Kevin [Mr] Quaid, Sean [Mr.] Quigley, Fionnula [Dr] Quin, Brian [Mr] Quinlan, Michael [Mr] Quinlan, Pat [Mr]
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Quinn, Jim [Mr] Quirke, Alan [Mr] Quirke, Paul [Mr] Reardon, Charles [Mr] Reardon, David J [Mr.] Reardon, Jack [Mr] Reardon, Paula [Ms] Redmond, Charlie [Mr] Ring, Des [Mr] Riordan, Ann [Mrs] Riordan, Carl [Mr] Riordan, Chantal [Mrs] Riordan, Conor [Mr] Riordan, Des [Mr] Riordan, Jim A [Mr] Riordan, Michael [Mr] Riordan, Michael J [Mr] Roche, Michael [Mr] Rohu, Robert [Mr] Ross, Dorothy [Mrs] Ross, Owen [Mr] Rowe, Andrew [Mr] Rowe, Stephen [Mr.] Roycroft, Mary [Dr] Ryan, Christopher [Mr.] Ryan, Denis [Mr] Ryan, Eamonn [Mr] Ryan, Fergal [Mr.] Ryan, Frank [Mr] Ryan, Gearoid [Mr.] Ryan, Helen [Mrs] Ryan, Jason [Mr] Ryan, Jeremy [Mr.] Ryan, Kieran [Mr] Ryan, Liam [Mr.] Ryan, Martina [Mrs] Ryan, Michael [Mr] Ryan, Noel [Mr] Ryan, Orlagh [Ms] Ryan, Willie [Mr] Ryng, Tony [Mr] Savage, Jim [Mr] Scally, Una [Mrs] Scanlan, Mary [Miss] Scannell Twomey, Mary [Mrs] Scannell, Brendan [Mr] Scannell, Dylan [Mr.] Scannell, Eileen [Mrs] Scannell, Kellie [Ms] Scannell, Kirstie [Ms] Scannell, Mary [Mrs] Scannell, Rochelle [Ms] Scannell, Ryan [Mr.] Scannell, TJ [Mr] Scott, Barbara [Mrs] Scott, Ben [Mr.] Scott, Guy [Mr] Scriven, Mary [Ms] Scully, Marian [Ms] Seaman, John [Mr] Seaman, Mary [Mrs] Seaman, Theresa [Mrs] Shanahan, Frank [Mr] Shannon, Robert [Mr] Sheahan, John [Mr] Sheahan, Paschal [Mr] Sheehan, Deirdre [Miss] Sheehan, Malcolm Trevor [Mr]
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Sheehan, Margaret [Mrs] Sheehan, Sarah [Miss] Sheehan, Tom [Mr] Sherratt, Stephen [Mr] Sherratt, Stuart [Mr] Shiels, John [Mr] Shorten, Ben [Mr] Shorten, David [Mr] Shorten, Ivan [Mr] Shorten, Margaret [Mrs] Silke, Conor [Mr.] Silke, Ian [Mr] Silke, Kevin [Mr] Silke, Patrick [Mr.] Skuse, Billy [Mr] Skuse, Ian [Mr.] Skuse, Peter [Mr] Skuse, Robbie [Mr.] Slattery, Aidan [Mr.] Slattery, Conor [Mr.] Slattery, Fergus [Mr] Slattery, Gearoid [Mr] Slattery, Jim [Mr] Slattery, Vera [Mrs] Slyne, Gerard [Mr] Slyne, Robert [Mr] Smyth, Marcellino [Prof.] Smyth, Robert [Mr] Stafford, Aidan [Mr] Stafford, Madeleine [Mrs] Stafford, Mick [Mr] Stevenson, Brendan [Mr] Stevenson, Denis [Mr] Stone, Danny [Mr.] Sugrue, Owen [Mr] Sugrue, Reggie [Mr] Sugrue, Tom T [Mr.] Sutton, David [Mr] Sutton, Joan [Mrs] Sweeney, Marie [Mrs] Sweeney, Noel [Mr] Sweetnam, Audrey [Ms] Sweetnam, Ian [Mr] Sweetnam, Vince [Mr] Taaffe, Darragh [Mr] Taaffe, Eva [Ms.] Taaffe, Helen [Mrs] Taaffe, Jonathan [Mr.] Taaffe, Mary [Mrs] Tobin, Con [Mr] Tobin, Ellen [Mrs] Tobin, Gerard [Mr] Tobin, Kathleen [Ms] Tobin, Michael [Mr] Travers, Henry [Mr.] Trevor, Sal [Mrs] Twohig, Brian [Mr] Twohig, Helen [Mrs] Twohig, Jeremy [Mr] Twomey, Donal [Mr] Twomey, Liam [Mr] Twomey, Mark [Mr] Twomey, Noelle [Ms] Twomey, Ross [Mr] Urquhart, Grant [Mr] Urquhart, Jamie [Mr] Urquhart, Maria [Mrs] Wall, Michael [Mr]
Wallace, Pat [Mr] Walley, John [Mr] Walley, Peter [Mr] Walsh, Aidan [Mr] Walsh, Andrew [Mr] Walsh, Brian [Mr] Walsh, Calum [Mr] Walsh, Ciaran [Mr] Walsh, Dan [Mr] Walsh, Dave [Mr] Walsh, James [Mr] Walsh, Kathleen [Mrs] Walsh, Lia [Mrs] Walsh, Marie [Mrs] Walsh, Mary [Ms] Walsh, Michael [Mr] Walsh, Michael [Mr] Walsh, Nell [Ms] Walsh, Pat [Mr] Walsh, Richard [Mr] Walsh, Richard B [Mr.] Walsh, Stephen [Mr] Walsh, Teresa [Mrs] Warren, Donal [Mr] Waters, Joseph [Mr] Waugh, David [Mr] Waugh, Kitty [Mrs] Waugh, Neville [Mr] Westcott, Imelda [Ms] Westcott, Paul [Mr.] Whelehan, Aoife [Ms] Whelehan, Emer [Ms] Whelehan, Frankie [Mr] Whelehan, Josephine [Mrs] Whelehan, Niamh [Ms] Whelton, Donal [Mr] Whelton, Ger [Mr] Whelton, Keith [Mr] White, Declan [Mr] White, Dominic [Mr] White, Ian [Mr] White, Jennie [Mrs.] White, Pat [Mr] White, Philip [Mr] White, Steven [Mr] Whooley, Donal [Mr] Whyte, Stephen [Mr] Williams, Richard [Mr.] Wilmot, Jamie [Mr.] Wilmot, Riobeard [Mr] Wilmot, Robert [Mr] Wycherley, Iain [Mr] Young, Carmel [Mrs] Young, Michael [Mr]
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