Greystones Golf Club
Founded in 1895 Greystones GC is one of Ireland’s oldest established golf clubs. The 5,337 metre par 69 18 hole parkland course is situated in one of Irelands most scenic locations, surrounded by the Wicklow Mountains, with panoramic views of picturesque Dublin Bay.
Like so many other clubs of the time, there was a strong ascendancy influence. The Right Hon. Viscount Powerscourt was the Club’s first President. Lord Glenavy once Chairman of the Old Irish Free State Senate was also a President of the club. Other famous V.I.P. visitors included Bonar Law, Prime Minister of Great Britain and world renowned writer Samuel Beckett who, according to reports was quite and accomplished golfer.
In 1985 the then President of Ireland Patrick Hillary, a single figure golfer, played the course.
Greystones and neighbouring Delgany are steeped in golfing history. Many top players learned the game in the area, such as Ryder and World Cup player, Jimmy Martin, whose father Jimmy was the Greystones Club Assistant Professional for many years.
Other top players from the locality included the legendary Harry Bradshaw, for years the Professional at Portmarnock, and Miltown’s Christy Green.
The Club was originally set around Jones’s Hill which still provides the feature hole – 7th – of the course. This hole is set high above the seaside town of Greystones, with magnificent views from Lambay Island to Wicklow Head with the Sugar Loaf and Wicklow mountains as the inland back drop.
Greystones GC has been significantly developed in recent years and now boasts a modern clubhouse. In 1998 the club embarked on upgrading the course with USGA standard greens and tees. World renowned course designer Ron Kirby was responsible for the redesigning.
Ron is one of the world’s most respected course designers. His career has spanned five decades, taking him around the globe to fashion some of the games great courses. Over the years he has been linked with many big names including Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones and Gary Player. His impressive portfolio of projects include Sun City, Kiawah Island, the Old Head Kinsale and Dromoland Castle.
Ron was aware of the tradition of Greystones and the course itself. His blend of history and modernity gives an intriguing character to the course and provides golfers with variety and a challenging round.
