Woodbrook Golf Club 75th Anniversary 1926-2001

Woodbrook Golf Club, established in 1921 by Sir Stanley Cochrane, is a Irish golf club with a rich heritage. Initially a private club, it became affiliated with the Golfing Union of Ireland in 1926. The club’s history intertwines with cricket, evident in its pavilion-style clubhouse and the cricket bell that once marked the start and end of play.

The course itself, though flat, presents a significant challenge due to the wind. Directional winds from the north, south, or east can effect play on various holes, demanding high-calibre shot-making. The layout includes five par threes and five par fives, making it an unusual but championship-worthy course. An underpass is used to access the holes on the other side of the train track which gives the course it dual persona. It has hosted many national amateur and professional championships including the Irish Open in 1975.

Over the years, it has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments, including the Irish Open in 1975 and some of the greatest golfers in the world have tested themselves on this course including Bobby Locke, Kel Nagle, Peter Thomson, Gary Player Roberto de Vincenzo, Tony Jacklin and Tom Watson. Little wonder that this was the training ground for a number of great Irish golfers including Liam McNamara, Claire Hourihane, Pat Mulcare and Brennie Scannell.

Woodbrook is more than a golf course; it’s a place of beauty, surrounded by the Irish Sea and the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains. The club’s evolution from a place for sheep grazing and various sports to a dedicated golf course is part of its charm. The first lease was signed in 1928, and the beloved professional Pat O’Connor served the club from 1926 until his retirement in 1968.

The original course was designed by Harry Shapland Colt and was later two new holes were added to the Clifftop course by Peter McEvoy. Some of the signature holes at Woodbrook include the 4th hole, a par 3 with stunning views of the Irish Sea, and the 18th hole, a challenging par 4 that requires an accurate approach shot to a well-guarded green.