The Steady Years - 1940-1969

The 1940's

Castlebar Golf Club endured the 40’s, the decade being primarily dominated by the lease of the lands used for the golf course.  1939 and 1940 saw the Club have the possibility of buying or leasing lands, part of the Aerodrome at Castlebar.  This matter was examined closely with the land owner submitting his terms for lease and sale of said land.  In early 1940 the landlord of the lands occupied by the Golf Club, Mr. Carson and the Golf Club Committee were negotiating terms for a new lease.  When these terms were agreed it was decided to stay in Rocklands, foregoing the land at the Aerodrome.  A new seven year lease was signed with the options of having the cattle removed as well as having summer golf.  For the most part, up until the late 30’s, the golfing season in Castlebar ran from October to May and if the Club wished to play through from June then it had to pay a higher rental to the landlord!  Similarly the landlord retained the rights to graze his livestock on the course, so the golfer shared the fairways with cattle, sheep, horses, donkeys and goats!  One can imagine the effect this had on the condition of the course played in those days.

In 1944 it became known that land was available to the Club in Ballinvilla, to rent or to buy for a golf course.  Once again the Committee of the day investigated this land.  A sub-Committee of the 1944 Captain Mr. T. Bourke, P.C. Bresnihan and Gerald Fitzgerald inspected this land and reported that it had possibilities.  The Committee then invited a Professional, Mr. Tom Travers from Dun Laoghaire Golf Club (also founded in 1910) to come and inspect this land.  Mr. Travers inspected the land and reported to the Committee that it was suitable for a 9 hole course or an 18 hole course.  Negotiations were simultaneously going on with the current landlord who offered to remove all the cattle from the land as well as permitting the cutting of the grass, for an additional rent of £20 per annum, bringing the annual rent to £80. 

The Committee then decided to remain in the current land, signing the new lease with the landlord. 

Possibly the biggest event in the 40’s for Castlebar Golf Club was the signing in 1945 of a new lease.  This lease was signed for a period of 21 years with an option to renew for a further 21 years and the annual rent was set at £83.  At last, after 35 years in existence the Club had a measure of permanency and security of tenure.

Another on-going theme in the 40’s was the question of the Clubhouse.  The Clubhouse in use still was the old zinc shed originally donated by Lord Bingham.  This was situated to the left of the 1^st tee.  The 1^st tee in the 40’s was where the 11^th tee is today, with the gate currently beside the 11^th tee being the entry to the golf Club.  In 1942 the Club purchased, for £90, a kirk from  Dr. McGing of Westport which was transported and installed beside the original zinc shed and was made suitable for use as a Clubhouse.  These 2 buildings were situated between today’s 10^th green and 11^th Tee.

The 1950's

For Castlebar Golf Club the 1950’s saw the Club further establish itself as one of the foremost Clubs and courses in County Mayo.

The decade got off to a winning start with Castlebar Golf Club winning the County Cup in 1950, a feat they would repeat in 1956 and again in 1958.

Fund-raising was becoming increasingly important to the Club to facilitate the on-going improvements to the course and pavilion.

Electricity and the telephone were installed in the Clubhouse in the early 50’s.

Christy O’Connor spent some time as Professional in the Club in 1951 and in 1959 Mr. Paddy Skerritt was employed as Professional and Groundsman, a position he held until 1963.

In 1955 the Club held its first ever Christmas Party for children, and this proved such a success that it was immediately decided to make it an annual event which still runs today.

Paddy Irwin became the first Castlebar member to be selected for the Connaught Interprovincial team.

In 1957 Castlebar Golf Club held County Mayo’s first ever Open Week.  Running from 1^st July to 8^th July this proved to be a huge success and is still going strong today.

The decade certainly came to a finale in a burst of glory!  On the course Castlebar Golf Club had its most successful year so far in 1958, winning the Connaught Shield for the first time in its history and also winning the County Cup and the Scratch Cup.

Off the course the Club took an enormous step by making its first land purchase, 20 acres complete with dwelling-house.  This led the Club in 1959 to a heightened enthusiasm for course and Club improvement resulting in plans for a new course layout and the engagement of an Architect to design a new Clubhouse.

And finally in 1959 the Club elected its first President, Mr. Frank I. O’Brien.

The 1960's

The start of the 1960’s heralded the Golden Jubilee of the foundation of Castlebar Golf Club.  50 years old in 1960 and how well the Club has progressed, entrenching itself firmly as an important amenity in the Town and County.  The Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1960 centred on the official opening of the newly re-designed course. 

1961 proved another huge milestone in the history of the Club with the construction of a new Clubhouse, which was officially opened in 1962.

Following the resignation of Club Professional and Head Greenkeeper Mr. Paddy Skerritt, the Club employed Mr. Tommy Jennings as Head Greenkeeper, a position he held until his retirement in 2003 after 40 years of loyal and excellent service to the Club.

1963 also saw Club President, Mr. Frank O’Brien elected to the council of the Connaught Branch of the G.U.I. and in 1967 Frank was elected Chairman of the Connaught Council.  Frank was the first Castlebar member to be so honoured.

The decade finished with the Club deciding to build a new machinery shed. Work on the construction commenced in November 1969.

All in all it was another excellent and progressive decade for the Club, with improvements in every area.