Dungannon Golf Club Centenary 1890-1990

Dungannon Golf Club was founded in 1890. The club was one of the founding members of the Golfing Union of Ireland. Initially located in Dungannon Park owned by John Mark, 5th Earl of Ranfurly and who became the first President of the club and the Golfing Union of Ireland (1891-1906). The course was originally nine holes and while it did go to eighteen the land was of such poor quality that they reverted to nine. Like many clubs in the early years up to 1919 (when they moved to the Santorium Grounds) the course was only played in the ‘Winter” months (Oct-May). It moved to its current location in 1954 when the nine-hole course was laid out by Sam Bacon, the professional at Knock G.C. It was extended to 18 holes in 1964. The current clubhouse was opened by Darren Clarke in 2000 while a previous clubhouse had been completely destroyed by a bomb on the 18 August 1972 and the replacement clubhouse was damaged to a lesser extent by a bomb in 1978.

The course was extensively renovated by Darren Clarke and Patrick Merrigan in 2007. The club is the home of the Aughnacloy Putter (a copy of a putter held in the museum at Amsterdam) which was first played for in 1889 until the club closed down after WWI and only resurfaced when presented to the club in the mid-fifties. The club is a non-profit organization managed by a council elected by its members. The property of the club is vested in trustees appointed at the Annual General Meeting. The most notable players for the club are Carol Wallace and the 2011 Open Champion, Darren Clarke.