The beginning
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Portsalon Golf club was founded by Colonel B.J Barton in 1891. Colonel Barton established the Portsalon hotel and golf links and was very forward thinking in Portsalon becoming one of the founder member of the Golfing Union of Ireland, the oldest golf union in the world. The course was designed by Charles Thompson, the Portrush professional. The links quickly earned a reputation as one of the best around and attracted visitors from near and far.
In 1899, Col. Barton presented the club with the Barton Cup, to be played for annually. This competition is still run each year on the August Bank Holiday. Previous winners of the cup have come from locations as far afield as Johannesburg, Southport, Toronto and Edinburgh. The reputation of the club grew so quickly that in 1905 the course was selected to host the Irish Ladies Championship. The championship was won by Miss May Hezlet from Royal Portrush, who beat her sister Florence by 2 and 1 in the final. May was the leading golfer of her time and her 1905 success was the second of 3 titles in a row. In 1912, the Irish Ladies Championship returned to Portsalon. This time Mabel Harisson was the victor, completing a hat-trick of titles, having won at Newcastle in 1910 and The Island in 1911. In doing so, she emulated May Hezlet's achievement. |
Founder Member of G.U.I.
Portsalon Golf Club was founded in 1891 and was a founder member of the Golf Union of Ireland, the oldest golfing union in the world. 
The nine founder members of the union were : Portsalon, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Royal Belfast, Killymoon, Dungannon, Aughnacloy, Ballycastle and Buncrana.
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Colonel Barton, Founder of Portsalon Golf Club
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The Barton Cup
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May Hezlet, Irish Ladies Champion, 1905
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Member Ownership
1986 was a momentous year in the history of the club. This was the year that the club purchased the land on which the course is built.
The golf course and hotel had been in different ownership since its foundation. An opportunity arose to purchase the hotel and golf course five years previously, however this did not gather momentum and slid by. Mr. P.C. Duffy purchased the property from the Costello Hotel Group. A very kind gesture by Mr. Duffy in offering the club first refusal on the lands when he was considering the sale. After much negotiation, a deal was finally struck and the sale was agreed on 12th February 1986. What can only be described as a monumental fund raising campaign was initiated to fund the purchase. In November 1986 the sale completed, and Portsalon Golf Club assumed complete ownership of the links for the first time.
The new Clubhouse was opened on Saturday 1st of June 1991. The official opening was performed by Neil T. Blaney, a former president of the club.
The golf course and hotel had been in different ownership since its foundation. An opportunity arose to purchase the hotel and golf course five years previously, however this did not gather momentum and slid by. Mr. P.C. Duffy purchased the property from the Costello Hotel Group. A very kind gesture by Mr. Duffy in offering the club first refusal on the lands when he was considering the sale. After much negotiation, a deal was finally struck and the sale was agreed on 12th February 1986. What can only be described as a monumental fund raising campaign was initiated to fund the purchase. In November 1986 the sale completed, and Portsalon Golf Club assumed complete ownership of the links for the first time.
The new Clubhouse was opened on Saturday 1st of June 1991. The official opening was performed by Neil T. Blaney, a former president of the club.
Historical Images
Course Upgrade
In 2000, a major redesign of the links was undertaken. Renowned architect, Pat Ruddy was tasked with upgrading the links to keep pace with the modern game. The course was lengthened considerable and nine completely new holes were added.
The other holes were improved and features like the shared greens of the 3rd and 9th, and 4th and 8th holes lend to the authenticity of the links. The upgraded course opened to much acclaim in 2002.
The Irish Ladies Close championship returned to Portsalon from 19th to 22nd of June 2005. This event was hosted to mark the 100th anniversary of the first Irish Ladies Championship to be held in Portsalon in 1905. Irish International and Curtis Cup player, Trish Mangan from Ennis, was crowned the winner on this occasion after a 3/2 win over Catherine Tucker in the final.
In 2010, some additional improvements to the course commenced, under the guidance of 2014 Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley. These changes significantly improved the bunkering on several holes and also included the building of a new first tee, which really sets the tone for what lies ahead.
The other holes were improved and features like the shared greens of the 3rd and 9th, and 4th and 8th holes lend to the authenticity of the links. The upgraded course opened to much acclaim in 2002.
The Irish Ladies Close championship returned to Portsalon from 19th to 22nd of June 2005. This event was hosted to mark the 100th anniversary of the first Irish Ladies Championship to be held in Portsalon in 1905. Irish International and Curtis Cup player, Trish Mangan from Ennis, was crowned the winner on this occasion after a 3/2 win over Catherine Tucker in the final.
In 2010, some additional improvements to the course commenced, under the guidance of 2014 Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley. These changes significantly improved the bunkering on several holes and also included the building of a new first tee, which really sets the tone for what lies ahead.
