Mahee Island Golf Club - History Information

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LET’S BEGIN AGAIN!Friday October 5th 1945, was the date selected by David A Boyd, to invite all those interested in re-opening the Golf Club,to a meeting in the Spinning Mill School Comber. Although the war had come to an end just a few months earlier, 14 enthusiasts turned up, with apologies from 10 others. Mr. Stanley Cather was Chairman, and under his guidance plans were made for the reopening of the Course. A further meeting was called for 19th October, and invitations sent to everyone who had paid membership in the 1942 season. At this meeting to help develop urgent finance, Life Membership was offered for £30, with the original “Bond Holders” either becoming automatic Life Members or by paying an additional £30, they could nominate two persons to Life Membership. In this way the Bond Holders gave up their claim to any repayment. A General Meeting was arranged for Thursday 11th April 1946 at which the Minutes of the previous AGM held on 2nd April 1942, were confirmed and signed by Stanley Cather, the acting Chairman. The fact that 4 years and a world war separated these two meetings is hardly recognised. The Rt. Hon. J M Andrews became President; John Boyd resumed as Treasurer and David Boyd, secretary. Saturday 4th May, was chosen as Opening Day and Mr. Hamilton Coulter generously offered to provide Tea for all. It was perhaps more difficult to re-start the Club than it had been at the beginning in 1929, petrol restrictions were still in place, and only a limited number could visit the Course. In 1947, membership was down to 85 men, 49 ladies and 6 juveniles including 26 Life Members. The income from Subscriptions was £280.9s.1d and Green fees £120.7s.6d. During the year several events were organised by a specially appointed Social Committee, these realized a net income of £269.10s.7d. The secretary in his report states “this has really been the salvation of the Club from a financial standpoint.” Wages and insurance rent and rates alone that year amounted to £380, so one can understand the importance of the Social Committee’s contribution. The Ladies Section encountered similar difficulties in the aftermath of the War, noted in their secretary’s report delivered at the 1948 A G M “ The season 1947 had been very disappointing due to the petrol restrictions, with the average attendance at competitions being only 10 ladies”. Five fixtures, including Captains’ Day were held each season and this continued into the late fifties. Mostly these were played on Saturday evening or Monday afternoon. To encourage further participation a 9 Hole competition was introduced on Saturday mornings. A prize would be given if five or more took part. This became quite popular and after couple of Seasons it was increased to 18 Holes with a prize of a “Warwick” golf ball. Competitors could stop for tea after 9 holes, if necessary. During a ten-year period from 1946 the ladies although few in number really established the Ladies Section. Stalwarts of the time included the Jackson sisters, Isobel and Inez, Mrs. Winsome Ringland,(Campbell), Mrs. N Valentine and Mrs. Shankey. These ladies were every bit as important to the Golf Club as the men who had nursed the young Club along in the early thirties. Possibly inspired by the Men’s “Rooster” Competition, the Ladies introduced a similar idea when two brooches were presented. These were given to two Ladies who held the Brooches until challenged and defeated, the victors then wore them. Not much is known about the success of this, but many years later at the 1977 A G M, Mrs. Ringland displayed one of the Brooches and recalled that she and Mrs. Shankey had been the last unchallenged holders. The Ladies Section contacted Mrs. Shankey, who had also retained the other Brooch and so in 1977 a modified competition was introduced and the Mahee Brooches Foursomes came into being, creating a very nice connection with the past.