Donaghadee Golf Club 100 Years In The Making

Donaghadee Golf Club was established in 1899 and is situated on the North Down Coast at the mouth of Belfast Lough. The founding members were Lieutenant-Colonel Louis DeLacherois, Adam Duffin (Stockbroker) and William Gabbey. The original 9-hole course was laid out on Gabbey’s land in the Warren and was designed by Willie Fernie, a Scottish professional at Troon who won the Open Championship in 1883. Fernie proposed the creation of three holes along the sea and six inland holes. The views from the golf course were of Belfast Lough, the Copeland Islands and Mull of Kyntyre to the North and the Isle of Man to the south. By 1906 the rent on the land was prohibitive and DeLacherois stepped in with 70 acres and this would allow for the building of an 18 hole course with a clubhouse, built to the design of a Colonial Burmese Rest House. The new course was laid out by a local civil engineer. Mr Peddie.

The current 18-hole course, which is part links and part parkland, opened in 1907. The course has undergone several renovations, with renowned golf course architect Howard Swan of Swan Golf Designs playing a significant role in its recent development from 2006. The club is privately owned and operated by its members.Notable golfers include Jessica Ross, Carol McAuley and C. Glasgow. The club has also been associated with Bear Grylls’ grandfather, Sir Walter Smiles, who started the annual boys’ competition that became the Ulster Boys Championship.