Malahide Golf Club was founded in 1892 by the Irish landscape painter Nathaniel Hone, R.H.A. and is one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland.
Its original layout was a nine-hole Links course on the dunes at Malahide. Sadly, it quickly became obvious to the members that serious erosion from the sea threatened their course and, as early as April 1906, three holes were opened on an adjacent site. Six holes were retained on the seashore until the late 1920's when due to constant erosion the Club was forced to abandon the links and move entirely inland.
This new golf course enjoyed a reputation as a charming and challenging layout with its famous Quarry hole and splendid views from the top of the course. However housing development in the popular Malahide area resulted in a move in 1990 to the current championship 27 hole complex, designed by Eddie Hackett, at Beechwood, Malahide.
From its foundation Malahide Golf Club played a leading role in the development of Irish golf. Affiliated to the Golf Union of Ireland in 1896, the club's first Irish Champion was John Francis Jameson (of whiskey family fame) who won the Irish Amateur Close Championship in 1910. The club gained some notoriety in 1947 because, in common with several other golf clubs, it recognised ladies as full members. The GUI threatened to expel the club from the Union and, in April 1946, following the club's refusal to comply, it was expelled from the GUI. This situation remained until March of the following year, when the Club changed its constitution, amending the status of Lady golfers to that of associates - a situation which remained in place until 2001.
In more recent times the magnificent achievements of Tom Craddock, winner of many trophies including both the Irish Open and Close Amateur Championships, twice a member of the Walker Cup team and holder of numerous international and inter-provincial caps, have brought great distinction to the Club. The late Paddy Caul was also an exceptional player at international and inter-provincial level.
Recent distinguished members include Philip Walton, Walker Cup player, winner of the Irish, Scottish and Spanish Amateur Championships, 4-time Irish PGA champion, and hero of the European Professional Golfers win in the Ryder Cup at Oakhill in the U.S. in 1995.
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