Killymoon G.C. 1889-1989 Centenary

Killymoon Golf Club, located in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, was established in 1889. It is one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland and was a founding member of both the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golfing Union. The club is set in the historic grounds of Killymoon Castle, which was designed by John Nash in 1804 and is reputed to have once been owned by King George IV.

The club is a private, members-only establishment, and it has been in its current location since its inception. The original course as nine holes right of the roadway to the Castle. The main founders of the club were M.S.T. Moutray, Hugh Adair and W.H. Mann. When Moutray sold the land it was purchased by an Irish Canadian who in turn sold it in the early twenties but this time it got divided into three lots and it was John Adair who came to the rescue as he purchased the site to the left of the road which he considered more suitable for golfing than the existing site. At his own expense of £400 he designed and built a course although it bears little resemblance to the current front nine but things would turn sour between the club and Adair and, although he would stay on as President, he sold the land to the club.

It has a rich history of contributing to the development of golf in Ireland, not least the formation of the two golf unions. However it is the exploits of one of its members that arguably trumps everything. Rhona Kathleen Adair, Hugh’s daughter, proved to be one of the most successful golfers of her generation winning the British Womens Amateur Championship twice and the Irish Womens Close Championship four times .

The original course layout was designed by John Nash, who is also known for his architectural work on Killymoon Castle. The course has undergone revisions, including significant changes in the early 20th century by Hugh Adair and his son, John Adair. In 1972 a further 80 acres were purchased and Hawtree & Son were engaged to design an additional nine holes and the eighteen holes were opened in 1974.

It features undulating greens and fairways, providing a diverse array of shots that test players’ skills and strategy. One of the signature holes is the first hole, a 472-meter dogleg right that winds its way around the woods and castle.