A Century of Golf The History of Co. Cavan Golf Club

The County Cavan Golf Club was initially established by Rt. Hon. Thomas Lough M.P. at his residence in Killynebber in October 1894 as a nine-hole course. Lough was born in Killynebber House in 1850 and the course was likely in use as a private facility before the foundation of the club. In the early years it was only in use from October-May as the grass was too long otherwise. Lough’s sale of the land at Killynebber precipitated the move to its current location at Drumelis in 1920. The land at Drumelis were owned by Lord Farnham, a keen golfer which went a long way when striking the deal for the lease and this nine-hole course would be open all year round. The course at Drumelis was designed by Rev. John L. Morrow, Secretary of the Golfing Union of Ireland.
In 1940 the Golfing Union of Ireland wrote to the club demanding that their rules preclude ladies from being full members or allowed to attend or vote at General Meetings. Cavan was, at the time, one of only 15 clubs that allowed for women to vote and in they relented with only Malahide rejecting their request and only reluctantly amended their rules following their expulsion in 1947.

The club has grown significantly since then, with the course being extended by Eddie Hackett in conjunction with members input to 18 holes and opened on 6 April1975 in atrocious conditions. Even from the outset the course required ongoing improvements over the first few years and was significantly enhanced in 2004 by architect Arthur Spring and European Golf Services.

The club purchased the lands from Lord Farnham in 1956 at a very favourable price and when the decision to expand to 18-holes was made the club agreed the purchase of Arnmore House (which would become the clubhouse in 1972) and 34 acres of land in 1970 again from Lord Farnham for £14k. 1972 also saw the retirement of Philip Lawlor in what must be one of Ireland’s longest serving (1915-1972) professional golfers at the same club. Additional land was acquired in 1992 to facilitate the inclusion of a practice area and Eddie Hackett advised on the changes to the layout and also suggested the hiring of an agronomist (George Smiley) and further work was done to alleviate the drainage problems on the course.