Sports » Golf » The Golfing Union of Ireland

The Golfing Union of Ireland was founded on 12th October 1891, at that time golf was enjoyed by small groups however with the passage of time the popularity of the game grew and now Ireland is primarily known as the one of the golfing haven in the world.

The nine original clubs which formed the Union, were located in Ulster, but golf in Ireland at the time of the establishment of the Union was not confined to that province.

By the time the Union was founded in 1891 28 'greens', as golf courses were then designated, had been opened for play.

The Ladies Golf Union was founded in 1893, along with the Irish Ladies Golf Union. The United States Golf Association followed in 1894 and the Welsh Golf Union came next in 1895. After the First World War the Scottish Golf Union joined in 1920 and the English Golf Union followed in 1924 to complete the circle.

In those early days, golf was enjoyed by relatively small groups, and while the number of clubs gradually grew, the staging of the Canada Cup, now known as the World Cup, in Ireland at Portmarnock Golf Club in 1960, really set the scene alight in Ireland.

The Union's administration services at central office, all the various sub committees, and the four Provincial Branches are responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the game are covered for the benefit of its affiliated clubs and their members.

Inter-club tournaments are organized at all levels of handicaps in addition to the many championships for the different age groups.

This has made Ireland a major tourist attraction for golfers from abroad, who have helped in no uncertain manner to boost the Irish economy as a result of their regular and growing visits to a country now firmly established as one of the world's golf havens.