Kirkistown Castle golf club Down

Kirkistown Castle Golf Course

Kirkistown Castle, while perhaps overshadowed by its illustrious Links neighbour Royal County Down, is also a traditional Links and should not be underrated. The present course layout was designed by the legendary James Braid in 1934. The course consists of two loops of nine holes each starting and ending at the clubhouse. The 2nd, 8th, 10th, 12th and 16th holes are played to elevated greens, a special feature of this LINKS.
Don’t be put off by the Par of 69. At 6,167 yards, Kirkistown Castle is longer than many courses with a Par of 71. The 10th hole - a Par 4 of 435yards, with out of bounds all along the left, subtle bunkering on the right and a relatively small pulpit green guarded by links rough and gorse - is reputed to be one of the most difficult Par 4s in Irish Golf.
Being at the seaside, wind is usually another ‘hazard’ that has to overcome but this helps to make every day a new and different challenge. Kirkistown Castle offers visitors a warm and friendly welcome and the chance to play “The Open” style links golf at affordable green fee rates. Its sandy base guarantees that the course is playable virtually 365 days a year without the need for temporary greens or course closures for days or even weeks on end.
If you like Links golf you will love Kirkistown Castle.
Golf played as Nature intended!
Kirkstown Castle was voted the No. 94-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2014 (Same);
Kirkstown Castle was voted the No. 94-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2013 (Down-1);
Kirkstown Castle was voted the No. 93-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2012;
Golf Deals » Kirkistown Castle
Stay & Play @ The Portaferry Hotel €230.00
Offer valid from 01 Jul 2021 to 30 Nov 2022 Detail:
Enjoy an overnight stay with freshly cooked to order breakfast and a 2 course meal on an evening of your choice. Bring your clubs and play 18 holes at Kirkistown Castle Golf - The only true links course in Ireland designed by James Braid. Which we are lucky to boast is open all year round!
From £210pps
Green Fees Midweek G. I. M. Summer: | £30 |
Green Fees Midweek Summer: | £52 |
Green Fees Weekends & B.H. G. I. M. Summer: | £35 |
Green Fees Weekends & B.H. Summer: | £74 |
Green Fees Midweek G. I. M. Winter: | £28 |
Green Fees Midweek Winter: |
£35 |
Green Fees Weekends & B.H. G. I. M. Winter: | £33 |
Green Fees Weekends & B.H. Winter: |
£40 |
Green Fees with a Member: | £20 |
Green Fees for Opens: | £15 |
Practice Area: | Yes |
Club Hire: | Yes |
Buggy Hire: | Yes |
Soft Spikes: | No |
Full Membership Available: | Yes |
Full Membership Fee: | £730 |
Full 5-Day Membership Fee: | £557 |
Full Ladies Assoc. Membership Fee: | £595 |
Full Stepped from 19 Membership Fee Starts: | £218 |
Full Junior Membership Fee: | £110 |
Full Juvenile Membership Fee: | £50 |
Full Cadet Membership Fee: | £10 |
Entrance Fee: | None |
Course Type | Links |
No Holes | 18 |
Members | 680 |
Designer | James Braid |
Founded | 1902 |
Address | 142 Main Road, |
Telephone | 028-427-71233 |
office@kirkistowncastlegolfclub.com | |
Website | Kirkistown Castle golf club website |
General Manager: | Tracey McDowell |
Captain: | Cahal Arthurs |
Lady Captain: | Miriam Ellis |
Presidents': | Jim Green & Jane Compton |
Vice-Captains': | & |
Hon. Secretary: | Neill Simpson & Briege Coyle |
Club Pro: | Niall Mullen 028-427-71004 |
Hon. Treasurer: | Michael Allen & Alison Gowdy |
Comp. Secretary: | Billy Doherty & Miriam Ellis |
Location Map
Lat:54.436806
Long:-5.472994
General Facts & Information
Course opening hours: Daylight hours | Clubhouse opening hours: 8.00am to 11.00pm |
Mobile phones: Permitted on "Silent" | Dress Code: GUI Standards on course Smart-casual in Clubhouse |
Catering: Mondays closed Full catering, facilities other days | Days to Avoid: Saturday mornings . Pre-booking is always advisable |
Green Fees and Societies Welcome: Except Saturday Mornings | Pre-booking for open Tournaments: Advisable |
Kirkistown Castle Golf Club Fixtures 2023 provisional*
Open & Major Fixtures 2022 (Confirmed) | ||||
Event | Start | Finish | Type | Duration |
President's Prize to the Ladies |
Friday 17 June | Closed | 1 | |
President's Prize | Saturday 18 June |
Closed | 1 | |
Lady President's Prize | Friday 24 June | Closed | 1 | |
Captain's Prize | Saturday 6 August | Closed | 1 | |
Lady Captain's Prize | Friday 12 August |
Closed | 1 | |
Professional's Prize | Saturday 17 September | Closed |
1 |
|
Ulster Boys & Girl's Schools (Q) | Wednesday 6 April | G. I. | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 1 March | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 8 March | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 15 March | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 22 March | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 29 March | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 5 April |
Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 12 April |
Open | 1 | |
Seniors Stableford (50+) | Tuesday 19 April | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 26 April |
Open | 1 | |
Seniors Stableford (50+) | Tuesday 3 May | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 10 May | Open | 1 | |
Seniors Stableford (50+) | Tuesday 17 May | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 31 May |
Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 7 June | Open | 1 | |
Helena Marchant Charity Event | Saturday 11 June | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 14 June | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 21 June | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 28 June | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 5 July | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 19 July | Open | 1 | |
Lady Captain's Charity Day | Friday 22 July | Open | 1 | |
Mixed Foursomes | Sunday 24 July | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 26 July |
Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 6 September | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 13 September | Open | 1 | |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Sunday 18 September | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Tuesday 20 September |
Open | 1 |
Card of the Course
Key | Data |
White | Par 69 SSS 70 6,167 yd's |
Red | Par 73 SSS 74 5,688 yd's |
Green | Par 69 SSS 69 5,917 yd's |
Card
Hole Name | Hole No. | White | Green | Par | Index | Red | Par | Index |
Outward Bound | 1 | 518 | 500 | 5 | 10 | 437 | 5 | 10 |
Tower | 2 | 402 | 387 | 4 | 4 | 398 | 5 | 2 |
Quarry | 3 | 304 | 299 | 4 | 18 | 283 | 4 | 13 |
Island | 4 | 152 | 142 | 3 | 14 | 148 | 3 | 8 |
Round the Bend | 5 | 397 | 387 | 4 | 2 | 340 | 4 | 4 |
Marked | 6 | 430 | 418 | 4 | 8 | 424 | 5 | 17 |
Shed | 7 | 322 | 302 | 4 | 16 | 299 | 4 | 11 |
Moat | 8 | 148 | 138 | 3 | 12 | 145 | 3 | 15 |
Lighthouse | 9 | 384 | 374 | 4 | 6 | 375 | 4 | 6 |
Out | 3,057 | 2,938 | 35 | 2,885 | 37 | |||
Long Reach | 10 | 435 | 420 | 4 | 3 | 405 | 5 | 1 |
Wee Dunt | 11 | 127 | 117 | 3 | 17 | 114 | 3 | 18 |
Feel Free | 12 | 434 | 420 | 4 | 7 | 405 | 5 | 14 |
Doon Hill | 13 | 440 | 420 | 4 | 1 | 349 | 4 | 3 |
Big Dunt | 14 | 193 | 180 | 3 | 15 | 177 | 3 | 16 |
Stay Put | 15 | 353 | 343 | 4 | 9 | 319 | 4 | 5 |
Castle Top | 16 | 164 | 154 | 3 | 13 | 151 | 3 | 12 |
Roadside | 17 | 440 | 420 | 4 | 5 | 420 | 4 | 7 |
Long Last | 18 | 524 | 504 | 5 | 11 | 484 | 5 | 9 |
In | 3,110 | 2,978 | 34 | 2,803 | 36 | |||
Total | 6,167 | 5,917 | 69 | 5,688 | 73 | |||
SSS | 70 | 69 | 74 |
Notable rounds
Men's Course Record Am: 63 Jonathan Hagan(Scr) Pro:
Ladies Course Record:
Members Achievements
Beth Coulter was selected on the GB&Ireland team for the Curtis Cup in 2022 at the Merion Golf Club, East Course from the 10th to the 12th June.
Beth Coulter won the Hermitage Scratch Cup in 2022 when she shot a Course Record 66.
Beth Coulter was, selected on the 2023 Golf Ireland Women’s High Performance Squad.
Kirkistown Golf Club won the All-Ireland Irish Mixed Foursomes in 1986 at Portstewart Golf Club the team was Jimmy Brown with Sharon Smyth, Ronnie Miller with Queenie Stewart, Thompson Maginnis with Alix McVea, Sennie Thompson with Shellagh Shane and Sennie McMaster with Cynthia Allen and they were captained by Sidney Caruth. The Club Captain was Denis McDonnell and the Lady Captain was Joe Donaldson.
Members who played representative golf for their Province;
M. Bannon represented Ulster as a Youth in the Interprovincial Championships in 1979 playing 3-times won 2-matches and lost 1-match accumulating 4-points;
History of Kirkistown Castle
Founded 1902 Affiliated 1903.
Kirkistown Castle was formed on 3rd Septemberember 1902 at a meeting held in the Market House, Portaferry. Mr John Greer was appointed Captain, General Montgomery was appointed President and Dr McDonald was appointed Honorary Secretary.
According to the Minutes of a meeting held on 10th September 1902 “The Greens Committee obtained the services of Mr GL Bailie(Belfast) to survey the ground and lay out a 9-hole course. This course has an aggregate length of 3265 yards and included some ‘very sporting holes’. The committee have arranged for the commencement of the preparation of the ground for play and hoped that a few holes would be playable by the 20th inst”.
The course was extended to 18 holes in 1929 and the present course layout was designed by James Braid in 1934. On seeing Kirkistown Castle for the first time James Braid was heard to exclaim “If only I had this within 50 miles of London.”
The high points of the course command magnificent views of the Isle of Man to the east, the Mourne Mountains to the South, Scrabo Tower to the north west and Scotland to the north east.
This popular golf course in Northern Ireland, Kirkistown Castle Golf Club was formed on 3rd September 1902 at a meeting held in the Market House, Portaferry. Major General W E Montgomery, Rosemount, Greyabbey had promised the lease of ground known as Sandgrass Farm at Cloughey for the purpose of a golf links course.
Mr. G L Bailie from Belfast designed the layout of the first nine-hole golf course with an aggregate length of 3,265 yards
The Club affiliated to the Golfing Union in May 1903 and the first recorded handicaps are dated 1 April 1904 for a total of 31 members.
The greenkeeper was Mr. Frank Polley, a position he held for almost 50 years (he retired in 1952). Mr. Polley was responsible for the extension of the golf course to 18 holes in 1929 with a Par of 71.
The Club's first Professional was Mr. Bertie Polley (son of Frank) engaged in June 1932 and this was followed by the formation of a Ladies Branch on 7th September 1932. Lady Norah Dunleath was elected Ladies' President.
The legendary James Braid visited Kirkistown Castle Golf Club on the 26th of September 1934.
He spent the morning marking out alterations to tees and greens and the afternoon positioning and shaping bunkers.
On seeing the location of the golf course for the first time he was heard to exclaim "If only I had this within 50 miles of London".
The subsequent work on the golf course was completed by the end of March 1935. The wooden hut erected in 1902 was finally replaced by a permanent structure in 1936. This clubhouse was used as a distribution centre for children evacuated from the greater Belfast area during the Second World War and as a kindergarten school.
Sand and gravel were excavated from the course for use in the construction of the airfields at Kirkistown and Ballyhalbert in 1941 and this is how the depressions in the front of the 1st tee and behind the 3rd green came into being. These areas were ground under repair until 1949.
It was also in 1949 that Sunday Golf was permitted for the first time. Lieutenant Colonel Blair Mayne DSO and Bars (Colonel Paddy as he was famously known) was elected Captain in 1951. Fred Daly was elected as Honorary Member in 1953 and he organised an exhibition match in which he and Mr. John Glover played against Jimmy Henderson and Norman Dew.
In 1956 the club negotiated a 999 year lease from Montgomery Estates so the future location of the club has been assured for a long time to come. Mr E J Meadowcraft of Portaferry was appointed as the first Secretary Manager of the Club in 1962.
An extension to the Clubhouse was completed in 1973 and this introduced Bar facilities for the first time.
The conservatory dining room was added in (1996) and then in 2001 a major development and refurbishment of the Clubhouse was completed in preparation for the Club's Centenary celebrations held throughout 2002. Mr Robert McDowell was the Centenary Captain having previously been Club Captain in (1984).
The golf club has come a very long way in its first 100 years without having to move a millimetre from its original and beautiful location on the eastern seaboard of the Ards Peninsula Northern Ireland. This gives the club the distinction of being the most easterly 18 hole golf course in Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland.
The seven just men who met in Portaferry in 1902 and formed Kirkistown Castle Golf Club would surely be very proud of what they created all those years ago.
Roll of Honour
Member | Year | Hon. Position |
J. K. Smith | 1989 | Ladies Captain |
D. Clark | 1989 | Ladies President |
E. Henry | 1989 | Mens Captain |
W. J. Miscampbell | 1989 | President |
M. E. McVea | 1990 | Ladies Captain |
D. J. McNeilly | 1990 | Ladies President |
R. B. McCormick | 1990 | Mens Captain |
J. B. Agnew | 1990 | President |
H. F. Mladek | 1991 | Ladies Captain |
D. J. McNeilly | 1991 | Ladies President |
R. B. McCormick | 1991 | Mens Captain |
J. B. Agnew | 1991 | President |
S. Shane | 1992 | Ladies Captain |
J. Nesbitt | 1992 | Ladies President |
B. McVea | 1992 | Mens Captain |
S. F. E. Caruth | 1992 | President |
F. McDowell | 1993 | Ladies Captain |
J. Nesbitt | 1993 | Ladies President |
T. Stothers | 1993 | Mens Captain |
R. M. McLeod | 1993 | President |
M. Lunn | 1994 | Ladies Captain |
D. Marshall | 1994 | Ladies President |
C. McDonnell | 1994 | Mens Captain |
R. M. McLeod | 1994 | President |
R. E. Jordan | 1995 | Ladies Captain |
D. Marshall | 1995 | Ladies President |
J. W. McCammon | 1995 | Mens Captain |
A. F. Croley | 1995 | President |
L. Conar | 1996 | Ladies Captain |
M. McVea | 1996 | Ladies President |
D. S. Marshall | 1996 | Mens Captain |
A. F. Croley | 1996 | President |
B. J. McCaughey | 1997 | Ladies Captain |
M. McVea | 1997 | Ladies President |
H. T. B. Burrowes | 1997 | Mens Captain |
P. Watson | 1997 | President |
H. McCammon | 1998 | Ladies Captain |
M. McLeod | 1998 | Ladies President |
A. P. K. McVea | 1998 | Mens Captain |
P. Watson | 1998 | President |
A. McClure | 1999 | Ladies Captain |
M. McLeod | 1999 | Ladies President |
J. F. Ditchfield | 1999 | Mens Captain |
J. D. Mayne | 1999 | President |
Mrs. Maura McColgan | 2000 | Ladies Captain |
Daphne Molyneaux | 2000 | Ladies President |
Kevin Gallagher | 2000 | Mens Captain |
J. D. Mayne | 2000 | President |
J. Compton | 2001 | Ladies Captain |
Daphne Molyneaux | 2001 | Ladies President |
W. Reid | 2001 | Mens Captain |
K. F. Thornton | 2001 | President |
Mrs. Teddy Mayne | 2002 | Ladies Captain |
Mrs. Sheelagh Rea | 2002 | Ladies President |
Mr. Robert McDowell | 2002 | Mens Captain |
Mr. Ken Thornton | 2002 | President |
R. Caughey | 2003 | Ladies Captain |
S. Rea | 2003 | Ladies President |
D. Peacock | 2003 | Mens Captain |
D. W. McDonnell | 2003 | President |
Sally McCoy | 2004 | Ladies Captain |
S. Rea | 2004 | Ladies President |
Robert Davison | 2004 | Mens Captain |
Denis McDonnell | 2004 | President |
Vivienne Marsden | 2005 | Ladies Captain |
M. K. Hawthorne | 2005 | Ladies President |
Mervyn Crawford | 2005 | Mens Captain |
Brian McVea | 2005 | President |
Sheila McConnell | 2006 | Ladies Captain |
M. K. Hawthorne | 2006 | Ladies President |
Gerry Fagan | 2006 | Mens Captain |
Brian McVea | 2006 | President |
Clare Dynes | 2007 | Ladies Captain |
J. Donaldson | 2007 | Ladies President |
Liam McCarthy | 2007 | Mens Captain |
Harry Ferris | 2007 | President |
Gina Hewlett | 2008 | Ladies Captain |
Joy Donaldson | 2008 | Ladies President |
Jim Scott | 2008 | Mens Captain |
Harry Ferris | 2008 | President |
Imelda Byers | 2009 | Ladies Captain |
Ray Jemphrey | 2009 | Ladies President |
George Cardy | 2009 | Mens Captain |
Robert McDowell | 2009 | President |
Janet Ross | 2010 | Ladies Captain |
Ray Jemphrey | 2010 | Ladies President |
Ronnie Millar | 2010 | Mens Captain |
Robert McDowell | 2010 | President |
Yvonne Crawford | 2011 | Ladies Captain |
Queenie Stewart | 2011 | Ladies President |
James Dynes | 2011 | Mens Captain |
Desmond Compton | 2011 | President |
Alison Bell | 2012 | Ladies Captain |
Queenie Stewart | 2012 | Ladies President |
John Dynes | 2012 | Mens Captain |
Desmond Compton | 2012 | President |
Joan Ditchfield | 2013 | Ladies Captain |
Fiona McDowell | 2013 | Ladies President |
Tim Reid | 2013 | Mens Captain |
John McCammon | 2013 | President |
Alix Millar | 2014 | Ladies Captain |
Fiona McDowell | 2014 | Ladies President |
Declan McCarthy | 2014 | Mens Captain |
John McCammon | 2014 | President |
Ann 0'Prey | 2015 | Ladies Captain |
Sally McCoy |
2015 | Ladies President |
Rodney Coffey | 2015 | Mens Captain |
David Peacock |
2015 | President |
Madeleine Bell |
2016 | Ladies Captain |
Sally McCoy | 2016 | Ladies President |
Billy Doherty |
2016 | Mens Captain |
David Peacock | 2016 | President |
Carol-Ann Hewitt | 2017 | Ladies Captain |
Hazel McCammon |
2017 | Ladies President |
Maurice Wilson | 2017 | Mens Captain |
Jim Scott |
2017 | President |
Tina McCutcheon | 2018 | Ladies Captain |
Hazel McCammon | 2018 | Ladies President |
Neill Simpson | 2018 | Mens Captain |
Jim Scott | 2018 | President |
Penny Thornberry |
2019 | Ladies Captain |
Hazel McCammon | 2019 | Ladies President |
Leonard Hamilton | 2019 | Mens Captain |
Sam Anderton-Ellis | 2019 | President |
Claire McNally | 2020 | Ladies Captain |
Jane Compton | 2020 | Ladies President |
David Martin | 2020 | Mens Captain |
Robin Holliday | 2020 | President |
Claire McNally | 2021 | Ladies Captain |
Jane Compton | 2021 | Ladies President |
David Martin | 2021 | Mens Captain |
Jim Green | 2021 | President |
Miriam Ellis | 2022 | Ladies Captain |
2022 | Ladies President | |
Cahal Arthurs | 2022 | Mens Captain |
2022 | President | |
Beth Coulter (+3) | 2022 | Lowest Ladie's H'cap |
Neill Simpson (+1) | 2022 | Lowest Men's H'cap |
Holes in One at Kirkistown Castle
Member | Date | Hole No. | Club Used | Distance |
6th | 221 yd's |
If you have had a Hole-in-One on your course and would like it recorded here please contact me on go.golfing@yahoo.ie
Giving your name, the date,the hole, the club used and the distance