Mahee Island Golf Club - History Information

Index:

“WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!1991, the Centenary of the G U I saw the all-Ireland finals staged at Malone Golf Club, which provided the setting for the greatest moment in the life of the Mahee Island Club. Crowned Jimmy Bruen, Ulster champions once again, Mahee was determined that this time there would be no slip-up. In all there are five National events, the Senior Cup, Barton Shield, Junior Cup, Jimmy Bruen Shield and The Pierce Purcell. The Finals of all of these are held on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday in September and are the most important events in the amateur golfing calendar. On the first day of the championships at Malone, three of the Ulster teams failed to reach the final. Disappointing for the local province so on the second day all eyes were on Shandon Park in the Senior cup and Mahee Island in the “Bruen” to salvage some much needed pride. Neither team disappointed with Shandon victorious over County Sligo and Mahee beating Beechpark (Dublin). Mahee earned great praise for their performance as it was reported, “The quality of golf played by the Ulster team would have done credit to any Barton Shield side, and left their opponents in no doubt as to the strength of this Club; proving that nine holes is sufficient to produce a winning team”. Perhaps understandably this victory launched Mahee into the 90’s with a great deal of confidence and during this period other successes were achieved. Notably when Richard Dodds and Mark Sloan won the Belfast Telegraph Cup during Mr. John Mulvenna’s year as Captain. The Juvenile team, guided by Stuart Warwick, were successful in the Sargaison Shield competition, recording the only “Club” victory in 1995. The Holt Shield provided the Club’s next successes, although having been beaten Finalists in 1992 and 93, Mahee again won through to the 1997 Final were the opponents were Belvoir Park. After the home leg Mahee held a commanding 4-1 lead, but things almost came amiss at Belvoir as the home side gradually whittled away the big lead. With Belvoir leading 3-1 and one match still unfinished it was left to Tyrone Gilchrist to save the day. An exciting match and as reported in the local press, “The game went right to the wire, with young Tyrone Gilchrist writing his name into Mahee “folklore” with a wonderful 3 Iron shot to the last green which secured victory. Mahee rounded off the century by again winning the Holt Shield in 1999, this time near neighbours, Clandeboye provided the opposition. A 4-1 victory at Clandeboye, was a surprising result, which left the return match almost a formality, but not quite, Clandeboye fought back bravely as a 21/2-21/2 result shows. However this was enough to secure the trophy for the second time in just three years. The Clokey Cup, played annually at Donaghadee is for individual competition and much sought after by “scratch” players. The list of previous winners is almost an almanac of who’s who in local golf. In 2001 Philip Davidson, a 2 Handicapper, proudly added his name to the list of winners bringing credit to himself and the Club.