The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Ballybunion Golf Club launch 125-year history
page 61
IRELAND’S most decorated lady golfer Mary McKenna M.B.E. arrived in Ballybunion on Sunday last to launch a new publication 125 Years of Golf at Ballybunion as part of the North Kerry Club’s 125th birthday celebrations.
The fabulous 156-page publication was written by well-known golf writer Ivan Morris from Limerick who has written several golf books and currently writes a popular weekly golf column for the Limerick Leader.
Mary enjoys a great affinity with Ballybunion having won two of her eight Irish Close championships there in 1969 and again in 1977 and she is of course an Honorary Life Member of the club.
Launching the book Mary told the member,s “Ballybunion has always had a very special place in my heart and of course I have very fond memories of my two championship wins here. 1969 was very special of course as it was my first Irish Close title and I will never forget 1977 when a very young Bridget Gleeson gave me a real battle before I eventually beat her by the narrowest of margins.”
Ivan Morris, author of the book and a life-long member of Ballybunion, told the gathering: “The history of Ballybunion is a colourful story that is certainly worth telling but, if you don’t mind, I won’t be saying a lot about the book tonight except that I am very happy with the way it has turned out.
“In my opinion, the members can be proud and of Ballybunion and each new generation of members needs to be reminded of the foresight and fortitude of the trailblazers who succeeded in bringing thousands of overseas visitors to this part of the world to the extent that Ballybunion, a once unknown quantity even amongst Irish golfers, is now a recognised byword anywhere one goes in the world of golf.”
He went on to quote the words of the late club steward Paddy Allen, who when speaking to legendary golf writer Herbert Warren Wind in 1969 said “The golf course means everything here. Take away the golf course and you take away Ballybunion.”
Ivan’s book is a high-quality publication and was designed by Fintan O’Connell and printed in Castleisland by Walsh Colour Print. It contains hundreds of photographs, stories and anecdotes charting the history of golf at Ballybunion since the club’s foundation in 1893 and is available from the club’s golf shop priced at €40.