The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Killarney Golf Club – a venue where history is made
MANY high profile golf events have been held in Killarney down through the years and the club has hosted the Irish Open on four occasions, as well as hosting two Irish Ladies Opens, a Curtis Cup, along with several National and International Amateur events.
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, and 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.
This prestigious event returned to the club in 2010 & 2011, when England’s Ross Fisher & Simon Dyson were the respective winners. The tournament saw record attendances over the four days and Killarney’s hosting helped re-ignite the Irish Open brand.
In 1975 the European Amateur Team Championship was held in Killarney. Thousands of spectators watched the competition as the Scottish ran out as eventual winners.
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 newest course at the club, 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 Lackabane layout also hosted the European Challenge Tour in 2005 where Marc Warren won the first of his six professional titles.
The Ryder Cup Challenge Tour Event in 2006 was held on Mahony’s Point and was won by Australia’s John Wade.
The club has a proud history in producing its own top level International golfers with no fewer than sixteen players representing their country at all levels of international golf, and indeed a number have also represented Great Britain & Ireland at various levels of international golf. These players include Dr W.M O’Sullivan, Michael Guerin, Paul Murphy, Eoghan O’Connell, Bridget Gleeson, Mairead Martin and Valerie Clancy.
The Ladies & Gents Clubs have also enjoyed tremendous success at County/Provincial and National Levels over the years and we are a very proud Club to be home of the current Irish Ladies Senior Cup & Senior Foursomes Champions.