Golf in Ireland 75 years ago

So, the Irish Open has concluded in dramatic fashion at the K Club in county Kildare with Rory McIlroy triumphing on home soil. What a finish it was over three play off holes. The event beamed around the world to millions showcases Irish golf, which in the last 25 years has made such strides thanks largely to the likes of McIlroy, Lowry and others. This blog looks back to 75 years ago when the famed Rosses Point club in Sligo was hosting the Irish Open Golf championships. The game has certainly changed in that time:

The first Irish Open Golf Championship to be played In Connacht will be held over the Co. Sligo Golf Club's links at Rosses Point in September next and the various committees of the Club have not relaxed their efforts during the last few months to make the links lit for champions and to ensure that everything possible will be done for the comfort and entertainment of both players and visitors. Famous golfers such as Hagen, Kirk wood, Locke, Von Nida, Daly, Ewing, Bradshaw, Carr, Bruen, Burke and Nolan have played on the links and have stated in no uncertain manner that they consider It one of the finest and most testing courses they have ever experienced. Apart from the golf, the scenic beauty of Rosses Point has much appeal.

The Open Championship is the premier competition for amateur golfers in the country and every year attracts all the leading golf personalities from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. Even at this early stage it can be said that the Championship will be one to be remembered in the history of Co Sligo Golf Club.

The Executive Committee who are in charge of the various subcommittees are attending to such things as a Scoreboard and field telephones to keep the public up to the minute with all aspects of play, special entertainment facilities, presentation of prizes and information programme.

The programme, which will be issued each day of the competition, will contain up to the minute scores and results. It will be well illustrated, well bound and will contain 36 pages. As this will be the first time the Irish Open is to be held at Rosses Point, and to produce a specimen worthy of the competition the Executive Committee appeals to local traders for their co-operation in sending in advertisements for insertion in the souvenir programme.

Compliments must go to the Co. Sligo Golf Club in negotiating with the Golfing Union of Ireland to stage the competition at Rosses Point, and it is expected that 1950 will prove a spectacular and successful one in the history of this widely known club.

For more information search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archive (www.irishnewsarchive.com )