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History
Killarney Golf & Fishing Club is one of the oldest, well established and internationally recognised Clubs in Ireland. It has a membership of over 1,700 members from all over the world and the Club's location is one of the most enviable in the World. In 1893 when the Club was founded it was another matter. Forty members formed the Club paying an annual subscription of 10 shillings each. The Earl of Kenmare, the local landlord, gave use of some of his land in an area of land in Killarney called Deerpark and became President of the Club. (Deerpark, the location of the original Club is situated on the current Killarney town bypass)
The fourth Earl of Kenmare, Valentine Browne, had a keen interest in the development of the Killarney area. Patron of the Golf Club, he became it's first president in 1893 and held that position until his death in 1905. After the 4th Earl's death the Presidency was held afterwards by succeeding members of the Kenmare Family. A shock decision in 1936 by the land agent for teh Earl of Kenmare to increase the rend for the course from a nominal 1 / (5p) to £75 a year jolted the members inot looking for an alternative location for the Club. It proved to be a fortuitous move for the Club, when the Club's President, the Viscount Castlerosse led the campaign to provide Killarney with "the best and most beautiful course in the World". With this is mind Killarney Golf Club Ltd was formed in 1937 to build a course at its present location.
Many high profile golf events have been held in Killarney down through the years. In 1975 the European Amateur Team Championship was held in Killarney. Thousands of spectators watched the competition under fabulous sunshine as the Scottish ran out as eventual winners. In 1991 The Irish Open was held on Killeen with a clinical Nick Faldo emerging as winner over Colin Montgomerie with David Feherty setting a course record of 65 on the closing day. The colourful Payne Stewart was the crowd favourite. Mixed conditions and a tough course earned huge respect from all the professionals. In 1992 huge attendances witnessed a dramatic finale with Nick Faldo emerging as winner in a heart stopping play-off with the relatively unknown South African, Wayne Westner. A tired Faldo described the course as a tough, demanding course that is long, narrow and breezy.
In 1996 the Curtis Cup was played on Killeen with the ladies of Great Britain and Ireland beating the USA is a famous victory. The new course Lackabane hosted the Irish Ladies Open Championship in 2002, which was won by Iben Tinning from Denmark and the following year the competition was held on Mahony's Point and was won by Sophie Gustafson from Sweden. The Ryder Cup Challenge Tour Event in 2005 won by Mark Warren of
Scotland was held on Mahony's Point and is due to return there again
in 2006. INTERNATIONAL ROLE OF HONOUR Dr W.M. O' Sullivan - Home Internationals 1934-38 Michael Guerin - Home Internationals 1961 & 1963 Paul Murphy - Home Internationals 1984 – 1986 Eoghan O'Connell Irish Youth Team 1984 Bridget Gleeson - Home Internationals 1980-81
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