Description
Tralee Golf Club has a rich history dating back to October 1, 1896. Originally established in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland, the club has moved locations several times. The club initially had a nine-hole course in Oakpark, Tralee, and later moved to a peninsula in Tralee Bay at Fenit by 1897. The course at Fenit was again moved to Sportsfield, Tralee and back again to Oakpark as stated in the extract below:
“During the ‘Troubles’, in the 1920’s, a Captain Lionel Hewson was hired to design a new course in Oakpark, Tralee. He was suspicious of the men who sat around on the demesne walls watching him while he measured and made notes. He wrote later that ‘bullets used to fly in those days on little provocation. He had reason to cast a wary eye – a Major McKinnon in the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary was shot dead on the course in March, 1921, while playing golf.
The above is an excerpt from a book on the local area entitled Links: Barrow & Hinterland by Mary O’Connor.”
The course again moved towards the end of the forties to “Lasseugh” as noted in Bill Gibson’s book, “Early Irish Golf”.
In 1980, the members decided to buy land at Barrow, which led to the development of the current course. In 1984, the club relocated to its current location at Barrow, near Tralee, where it opened an 18-hole course designed by Arnold Palmer. A re-modelling of the greens, tees, bunkers and fairways was undertaken between 2006-2008 with Donald Steel & Co. Ltd architects and SOL Golf as the construction company. The club is a members-owned organization, with a membership that has grown from 120 in its early days to over 1,300 today. The members have been instrumental in the club’s development and success over the years. The Tralee Golf Club was announced as the host venue for the 2026 Arnold Palmer Cup.
Tralee Golf Club is known for its challenging layout. The course is a par 72 and measures almost 7,000 yards from the championship tees. It features towering dunes, undulating fairways, punishing rough, and cliff-top tees and greens. Some of the signature holes at Tralee Golf Club include the par-3 16th hole, “Shipwreck”, named for the treacherous coastline that has claimed many ships over the years. Another notable hole is the par-3 3rd hole, “Castle”, named for the outlook post next to the green.
The Par 3 course was designed by Martin Hawtree in 2017 with the construction carried out by Anthony Bennett Atlantic Golf Construction which will complement the driving range and teaching academy being set up. Tralee Golf Club is a true gem of Irish golf, offering a challenging and scenic experience that attracts golfers from around the world.
