There were no green fields where golfing pioneers could conjure images of lush fairways and challenging greens. By the time workman and horse had ploughed through the mud and splashed through the slush of winter in a grinding process of reclamation, an appropriate transformation had been achieved for the official opening on Easter Monday, 1903. And the founders' wisdom was vindicated in every respect.
The first step had been taken in the summer of 1902, when three men of vision decided they would form a golf club at Killiney. They were Captain E P Stewart of Laragh, George C Ashlin of St George's, and George F Stewart of Summer Hill, all residents of the village and leading members of what might be described as the local gentry.
Ignatius John Rice, whose address was Rose Lawn, Ballybrack, was also a highly influential figure, even though it was 1907 before he joined the club. A solicitor by profession, he was lawyer to Dublin Corporation for many years and was to become a trustee of the club, along with Beamish A Morrison.
In the event, though the golfing brethren of Carrickmines had beaten Killiney to it with their launch in 1900, Delgany would not have its own club until 1908 and a similar development wouldn't happen at Dun Laoghaire until two years further down the road. Indeed Woodbrook would be forced to wait until 1927.
"The Irish Golfer" of May 20th, 1903, informs us that the decision to form a club was taken at a meeting of the residents, held in the Town Hall, Killiney on the 5th June 1902. It further states that a so-called guarantee fund was proposed, guarantees to be £5 per year for three years and the guarantors to be the first members of the club, with power to frame rules and undertake all other relevant decisions.
The magazine went on: "A subsequent meeting was held on June 9th 1902, when it was announced that 41 gentlemen had subscribed to the guarantee fund. At the meeting, three trustees, viz Captain E P Stewart, Mr George C Ashlin and Mr George F Stewart, were appointed with power to acquire the land and a committee of seven was elected to draft rules for approval."
The full course was opened for play on Easter Monday.
It presented a breathtaking sight. At that time, the south-eastern coastline was renowned far and wide for its scenery. We are told that "On a fine summer's day, the views from Kingstown to Bray and even further southward, are unrivalled in their magnificence." Among the gems were Dalkey Harbour and Killiney Bay, with Dublin Bay itself.
"The Irish Field", which was noted for its golf coverage at that time, expressed the view that "it is doubtful if there is a lovelier spot anywhere in Ireland where golf is played, than Killiney."
Against that background, we shouldn't be surprised that within a month, the club could boast a remarkable influx of members totalling upwards of 300, including lady associates. And by the end of the year, the numbers had grown to 188 members and 169 associates, a total of 357 in all. We are informed that there were also juvenile and temporary members.
A new purpose-built clubhouse was added in the 1920’s. The building, designed by none other than R C Orpen, a celebrated architect of that period, was constructed by the company of George Bower of Ballybrack, which remained involved with the club over the ensuing decades. According to "The Irish Golfer", the clubhouse design, in the so-called Empire style, lent itself to "extension admirably." In the event, Bowers agreed on a fee of £950 in February 1926, for alterations and additions to the clubhouse.
Meanwhile, at a meeting of the Central Council of the Golfing Union of Ireland (Leinster Branch), held at the clubhouse, Portmarnock, on the 17th May 1904, it was proposed by Harold E Reade and seconded by E B Dillon, that Killiney Golf Club be affiliated to the Union.
