| Location |
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Course Description
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| Course Description: |
Narin and Portnoo Golf Club is situated in a beautiful seaside resort in southwest Donegal, six miles from Glenties. It is considered one of the most scenic 18-hole links courses in Ireland , with sweeping views of Gweebarra Bay. A previous layout (designed by Harry Hamill of Royal Portrush) on much of the site of the current club opened in 1905 but had ceased to exist by 1919. Launched officially in July 1930, Narin and Portnoo Golf Club is engagingly old fashioned, with a meandering routing over and around the dunes. A recent course development has increased the par to 73 and has increased the range of shots required to negotiate the terrain. A warm friendly welcome awaits visitors and societies to Narin and Portnoo Golf Club and it is ideal for year-round golf. Voted the No. 80-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Golf Digest Ireland” in 2008. |
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Open & Major Fixtures 2011
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| See Event Calendar here. |
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Club History
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| Club History |
Narin and Portnoo Golf Club was founded in 1930 when five local men decided that the warren in Narin had the potential to be developed into a testing links. Canon Ernest Devlin, Rev. Boyce, William Hemmersbach, William ODonnell and Francis J. McLoone saw the fillip to the tourist trade that a golf course would provide and they pooled their resources to rent the land from the five landlords concerned. A number of rudimentary holes were already in existence and help was sought from Hughie McNeill, the professional in Portrush to bring those holes up to scratch.
On July 9, 1930 William O’Donnell launched a drive down the first and a golf club was born. A committee was formed in 1931 with Mr. O’Donnell the first captain and by the spring of 1932, nine holes had been laid out.
Jim McCole was appointed greenkeeper in 1934 and would hold the post until 1977. Under his stewardship, Narin developed a reputation for fast links greens and the sight of Jim on his knees plucking rye grass was not an uncommon one.
Throughout the thirties the membership grew and a decision was taken in April 1938 to build a clubhouse. Joseph Cunningham & Sons, Killybegs were awarded the contract and on September 1, 1939 H.A. McDevitte T.D. officially opened the small, wooden pavilion. It would serve as the clubhouse until 1968.
John O’Donnell of Ardara and John Gillespie of Narin were the leading golfers in the first half century of the club’s existence, with the latter going round the nine holes in 33 shots on two occasions. Fairways were only cut once or twice a year, which made the course play longer than its actual length, a problem accentuated by the prevalence of moss.
The war years were traumatic for the golf club due to transport difficulties and finances didn’t improve much afterwards. Attracting new members wasn’t proving easy and but for the fundraising efforts of the Portnoo Dramatic Club, the club may have folded in the mid-fifties. The thespians toured throughout the county and presented £600 to the committee after several years fundraising. The corner had been turned. Improvements were made to the nine-hole layout and in 1957 the current sixteenth hole replaced the sodden second on the initiative of Louis Walsh. A decision was taken in 1960 to rent more land from Barney McNelis and on June 24th, 1965 Donagh O’Malley, T.D. opened the new eighteen hole course. A first-ever victory in the Inter Club League in 1967 under the captaincy of Patsy Sweeney showed that the club was moving in the right direction on the playing front.
Membership improved sufficiently to justify the building of a bigger clubhouse and this was accomplished by Joe McMenamin & Sons, Stranorlar in 1968 with a grant of £6000 from Bord Fáilte easing the financial burden. A new car park followed in 1970, while new machinery made life a little easier for the greens staff. Donal McBride became Honorary Secretary in 1978 and he entered the club for the first time in the Pierce Purcell, Scratch Cup and Ulster Cup. Fr. Brendan McBride represented Ulster that same year, a first for a Narin & Portnoo player. A successful Pro-Am was launched in 1979 which heightened the club’s profile even further.
The likes of Eamon Darcy, Christy O’Connor and David Feherty were big draws and the standard of golf reflected this, with Bobby Browne shooting a 63 in 1979 to set a new course record. The amateur record of 63 was set by Ballybofey’s Enda McMenamin in 1990.
An extension to the clubhouse was added in 1990 and in 2001 the club purchased that part of the course owned by Mrs. Mary McNelis for £750,000. A course re-alignment in 2004 has increased the par to 73 and created several holes of unquestioned beauty. From eighteen members in 1930, the club now caters for close on 730. Its founders’ vision has been justified and the best years surely lie ahead. |
| Members Achievements |
2004 Lady Captain Maria Rafferty (30) and her Captain's Prize Winner Natalie Guildea (10) were qualifiers with 34 pts. in the Volkswagen-Irish Independent Lady Captain's Classic at Co. Sligo Golf Club in August 2004 they qualified for the National Finals at Hermitage on 4th October. |
| Holes-in-One |
| Person |
Date |
Hole No. |
Club Used |
Distance |
| Anne McBride |
13 July 2005 |
16th |
|
100 m |
| Austin Laverty |
21 December 2004 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| Barry Doherty |
29 June 2003 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Benny Quinn |
19 March 2005 |
16th |
|
120 m |
| Bert Hill |
15 March 1997 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| Brendan Quinn |
22 July 2004 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| Brian Robertson |
14 February 2002 |
6th |
|
198 m |
| Colette Bonner |
28 May 2005 |
6th |
|
143 m |
| Colm Melly |
12 April 1987 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| Connell Kennedy |
16 May 1993 |
6th |
|
198 m |
| Danny McGinley |
6 June 1992 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| Danny McGinley |
14 November 1993 |
3rd |
|
171 m |
| Denis Carberry |
8 June 1986 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Denis Carbery |
11 July 1993 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Dom Quinn |
12 June 1994 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| Eamon McGill |
13 April 1997 |
13th |
|
170 m |
| Finbar Boyle |
13 April 1992 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Fr. Brendan McBride |
1 July 1965 |
6th |
|
187 m |
| Frank McGinley |
8 June 2003 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Frankie Kennedy |
24 August 1991 |
6th |
|
198 m |
| Frankie Kennedy |
15 November 1992 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Frankie Kennedy |
2 May 2004 |
11th |
|
180 m |
| George Doherty |
17 August 1991 |
3rd |
|
171 m |
| Gerard J. Doherty |
10 October 2001 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| Harold Reid |
7 December 2003 |
11th |
|
180 m |
| Harry McGee |
10 July 2002 |
13th |
|
180 m |
| Hugh Jackson |
19 June 1983 |
11th |
|
180 m |
| Hugo McGarrigle |
1 August 2002 |
11th |
|
180 m |
| J. A. McNeill |
17 October 1990 |
11th |
|
180 m |
| J. J. McBride |
1 July 1952 |
2nd |
|
144 m |
| James Byrne |
1 November 2004 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| James McGinley |
16 October 2000 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| James McGinley |
1 June 1978 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| James McRory |
9 August 2002 |
11th |
|
170 m |
| Jim McRory |
22 August 1997 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Jimmy Cunningham |
13 May 1995 |
6th |
|
198 m |
| Joan McCole |
21 February 1997 |
16th |
|
95 m |
| John J. Doherty |
11 April 2004 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| John Lennon |
22 August 2004 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| John McBride |
15 May 1994 |
13th |
|
170 m |
| John McBride |
1 May 2002 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| John McCole |
16 February 2005 |
13th |
|
170 m |
| John Michael McDonnell |
8 September 1991 |
11th |
|
180 m |
| John Michael O'Donnell |
20 February 1983 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| John Molloy |
24 June 2004 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| Josie O'Boyle |
23 July 1997 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Kevin Harley |
17 July 2005 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Kevin McCready |
25 February 2005 |
8th |
|
125 m |
| Lee Heron |
4 August 1986 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Leo Gallagher |
1 June 1961 |
3rd |
|
141 m |
| Marie Walsh |
21 July 2005 |
16th |
|
95 m |
| Marie Walsh |
24 August 1996 |
3rd |
|
131 m |
| Marie Walsh |
30 March 1997 |
13th |
|
154 m |
| Martin Arnold |
25 September 1993 |
11th |
|
180 m |
| Martin Sweeney |
1 June 2001 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| Martin Whelan |
1 June 2000 |
6th |
|
221 m |
| Mary Nicholson |
12 July 1994 |
6th |
|
163 m |
| Mary Nicholson |
12 February 1996 |
16th |
|
95 m |
| Max Cannon |
13 August 2005 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Michael Bonner |
23 July 1989 |
13th |
|
170 m |
| Michael Naughton |
14 April 1982 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| Myles Cunningham |
1 June 1995 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Myles Cunningham |
22 March 1998 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Nan Quinn |
9 April 2004 |
16th |
|
95 m |
| Nan Quinn |
21 April 2003 |
6th |
|
163 m |
| Nan Quinn |
22 August 2000 |
16th |
|
95 m |
| Nora Gormley |
13 May 1991 |
3rd |
|
136 m |
| Owen Bonner |
15 July 1990 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| P. P. Roddy |
1 November 1937 |
6th |
|
166 m |
| Pat Connaghan |
10 September 2005 |
16th |
|
106 m |
| Pat McGinley |
1 August 1995 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Patrick A. Ree |
8 August 2004 |
11th |
|
175 m |
| Patrick Gallagher |
22 September 1997 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Patsy Sweeney |
1 November 1963 |
7th |
|
95 m |
| Patsy Yankee Boyle |
11 October 1992 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Paul McNamee |
12 April 2004 |
11th |
|
180 m |
| Peter Logue |
6 August 1994 |
13th |
|
170 m |
| Rory O'Boyle |
17 April 1990 |
3rd |
|
171 m |
| Seamus Bonner |
7 September 2003 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Seamus Doherty |
19 June 1983 |
13th |
|
170 m |
| Seamus McDonagh |
1 January 2001 |
11th |
|
180 m |
| Sean Joseph Gallagher |
30 March 2003 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Sean McKenna |
15 January 1995 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| Sean McKenna |
10 May 2002 |
16th |
|
110 m |
| S Barry |
1 July 1940 |
4th |
|
143 m |
| Stephen Cullen |
5 December 2004 |
3rd |
|
171 m |
| Stephen McGinley |
12 May 1996 |
11th |
|
180 m |
| Thomas Breslin |
19 March 1990 |
8th |
|
130 m |
| Tom Glynn |
5 June 1992 |
11th |
|
180 m |
| Vincent Rankin |
10 July 1988 |
13th |
|
170 m |
| James McGuinness |
11th October 2006 |
6th |
|
198 m |
| Brid O'Keeffe |
2nd June 2006 |
13th |
|
102 m |
| Marie Corrigan |
16th August 2006 |
11th |
|
146 m |
| Dennis Carbery |
1st April 2007 |
7th |
|
130 m |
| Harry Reid |
2nd April 2007 |
7th |
|
130 m |
| Michael Cooke |
7th April 2007 |
16th |
|
110 m |
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Card of the Course
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| Card of the Course (yards) |
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| Hole No |
White |
Yellow |
Par |
Index |
Red |
Par |
Index |
| 1 |
289 |
283 |
4 |
11 |
280 |
4 |
13 |
| 2 |
480 |
450 |
5 |
9 |
410 |
5 |
1 |
| 3 |
171 |
161 |
3 |
15 |
140 |
3 |
15 |
| 4 |
416 |
407 |
4 |
1 |
390 |
5 |
17 |
| 5 |
367 |
357 |
4 |
7 |
310 |
4 |
7 |
| 6 |
400 |
380 |
4 |
5 |
365 |
4 |
3 |
| 7 |
130 |
125 |
3 |
13 |
130 |
3 |
5 |
| 8 |
311 |
301 |
4 |
17 |
275 |
4 |
11 |
| 9 |
365 |
355 |
4 |
3 |
247 |
4 |
9 |
| Out |
2,929 |
2,819 |
35 |
|
2,547 |
36 |
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| 10 |
485 |
475 |
5 |
2 |
389 |
5 |
2 |
| 11 |
180 |
160 |
3 |
16 |
112 |
3 |
16 |
| 12 |
390 |
370 |
4 |
10 |
329 |
4 |
8 |
| 13 |
463 |
439 |
5 |
12 |
372 |
5 |
4 |
| 14 |
490 |
470 |
5 |
8 |
430 |
5 |
12 |
| 15 |
110 |
106 |
3 |
18 |
95 |
3 |
18 |
| 16 |
480 |
460 |
5 |
4 |
420 |
5 |
10 |
| 17 |
377 |
367 |
4 |
6 |
300 |
4 |
6 |
| 18 |
365 |
350 |
4 |
14 |
321 |
4 |
14 |
| In |
3,340 |
3,197 |
38 |
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2,768 |
37 |
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| Total |
6,269 |
6.016 |
73 |
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5,315 |
73 |
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| SSS |
73 |
72 |
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73 |
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Roll of Honour
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| C. Bonner |
1989 |
Ladies Captain |
| M. McHugh |
1990 |
Ladies Captain |
| A. O'Shea |
1991 |
Ladies Captain |
| A. Hayden |
1992 |
Ladies Captain |
| M. Nicholson |
1993 |
Ladies Captain |
| C. McGee |
1994 |
Ladies Captain |
| B. Shovelin |
1995 |
Ladies Captain |
| F. Munnelly |
1996 |
Ladies Captain |
| G. Cafferty |
1997 |
Ladies Captain |
| B. Cunningham |
1998 |
Ladies Captain |
| Mauire Walsh |
1999 |
Ladies Captain |
| Colette Bonner |
2000 |
Ladies Captain |
| Annette McGettigan |
2001 |
Ladies Captain |
| Brid O'Keeffe |
2002 |
Ladies Captain |
| Mary Doherty |
2003 |
Ladies Captain |
| Maria Rafferty |
2004 |
Ladies Captain |
| Phillipa Mullen |
2005 |
Ladies Captain |
| Goretti Cunningham |
2006 |
Ladies Captain |
| Margaret Murphy |
2007 |
Ladies Captain |
| Sally Jennings |
1990 |
Ladies President |
| Sally Jennings |
1991 |
Ladies President |
| Peg Gillespie |
1992 |
Ladies President |
| Peg Gillespie |
1993 |
Ladies President |
| Bridie Rankin |
1994 |
Ladies President |
| Bridie Rankin |
1995 |
Ladies President |
| Breid Boyle |
1996 |
Ladies President |
| Breid Boyle |
1997 |
Ladies President |
| Anne McBride |
1998 |
Ladies President |
| Ann McBride |
1999 |
Ladies President |
| Francis Munnelly |
2000 |
Ladies President |
| Francis Munnelly |
2001 |
Ladies President |
| Bridie Cunningham |
2002 |
Ladies President |
| Bridie Cunningham |
2003 |
Ladies President |
| Maureen Cunningham |
2004 |
Ladies President |
| Maureen Cunningham |
2005 |
Ladies President |
| Wendy Paterson |
2006 |
Ladies President |
| Wendy Paterson |
2007 |
Ladies President |
| Michael Bonner |
1989 |
Men's Captain |
| Michael Gallagher |
1990 |
Men's Captain |
| Austin McNeill |
1991 |
Men's Captain |
| Enda Bonner |
1992 |
Men's Captain |
| Seamus McGarvey |
1993 |
Men's Captain |
| Francis Cunningham |
1994 |
Men's Captain |
| Jim Gallagher |
1995 |
Men's Captain |
| Paddy Campbell |
1996 |
Men's Captain |
| Tony Bonnor |
1997 |
Men's Captain |
| Tom Glynn |
1998 |
Men's Captain |
| Dom Gallagher |
1999 |
Men's Captain |
| John Michael O'Donnell |
2000 |
Men's Captain |
| Bobby Cunningham |
2001 |
Men's Captain |
| Willie Quinn |
2002 |
Men's Captain |
| Harold Reid |
2003 |
Men's Captain |
| David Kelly |
2004 |
Men's Captain |
| Frankie Kennedy |
2005 |
Men's Captain |
| Justin Gillespie |
2006 |
Men's Captain |
| Conal Keeney |
2007 |
Men's Captain |
| Rev. Brendan McBride |
1989 |
President |
| Liam O'Hagen |
1990 |
President |
| Liam O'Hagen |
1991 |
President |
| Rev. George Good |
1992 |
President |
| Rev. George Good |
1993 |
President |
| Donal McBride |
1994 |
President |
| Donal McBride |
1995 |
President |
| Michael Naughton |
1996 |
President |
| Michael Naughton |
1997 |
President |
| Patrick (Yank) Boyle |
1998 |
President |
| Patsy (Yank) Boyle |
1999 |
President |
| Vincent Herron |
2000 |
President |
| Vincent Herron |
2001 |
President |
| Seamus McGarvey |
2002 |
President |
| Seamus McGarvey |
2003 |
President |
| Colm Melly |
2004 |
President |
| Colm Melly |
2005 |
President |
| Enda Bonner |
2006 |
President |
| Enda Bonner |
2007 |
President |
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