The Championships

The Irish Open

From the inaugural staging in 1927, Portmarnock played host to the Irish Open on a further 18 occasions, delivering such illustrious winners as: Fred Daly (1946), Dai Rees (1948), Ben Crenshaw (1976), Hubert Green (1977), Severiano Ballesteros (1986), Bernhard Langer (1987), Ian Woosnam (1988 and ’89), Jose Maria Olazabal (1990) and Michael Campbell (2003). After the event had been revived in 1975, Portmarnock staged it from 1976 to 1982, from 1986 to 1990 and in 2003. And those championships included no fewer than 34 competitors who were either "major" winners in prospect or had already achieved the distinction.

1959 Dunlop Masters

There were predictable media reflections on Bobby Jones, when Joe Carr swept into an improbable, four-stroke lead after 54-holes of this highly-prized event. Ireland’s greatest amateur was to suffer the biggest disappointment of his career, however, when he was overhauled by Christy O’Connor’s course-record final round of 66. “The fact that Christy and I played in separate two-balls meant that I found myself fighting shadows,” said Carr. “While cheer after cheer swept across the links, I felt helpless to make a fight of it.”

The Canada Cup

Four years after winning the event with Ben Hogan at Wentworth, Sam Snead partnered newcomer, Arnold Palmer, to another American triumph. Referring to his first experience of links terrain, Palmer said: “I’ve learned a lot of shots I’ve never played before in my life.” Ireland’s duo, Christy O’Connor and Norman Drew, finished fourth and the individual award went to Flory Van Donck (279). The absence of Harry Bradshaw, the hero of Ireland’s victory in 1958, was naturally a disappointment to the host club. As it happened, illness meant he couldn’t have played, even if chosen.

1965 Dunlop Masters

Arguably the tournament’s most talked-of score was one which didn’t count. It was a 73 by Christy O’Connor Snr before play was abandoned. “This was one of the greatest rounds in the history of the game – and nothing in my experience since then, has changed that opinion,” was Tony Jacklin’s verdict on an occasion when O’Connor’s needed two drivers to reach the 14th. Bernard Hunt eventually won with 283.

Alcan Golfer of the Year Tournament

In deciding to stage the 1970 Alcan Golfer of the Year Tournament at Portmarnock, American Doug Smith, a key organiser, referred to the impact the 1960 Canada Cup had made. “We had never seen such a fantastic turn-out at any tournament on this side of the Atlantic,” he said. Australia’s Bruce Devlin on 278, cruised to the £23,000 top prize by seven strokes, but the biggest galleries of a memorable September Sunday followed Paddy Skerritt who won the subsidiary Alcan International Tournament. His £3,000 reward was the richest by an Irish golfer on home soil at that stage.

The Amateur Championship 1949

Staged from Monday, May 23rd until Saturday the 28th 1949, the Championship’s bumper entry of 204 included a predictably strong Irish contingent along with an unusually big turnout from the US. Patrick Campbell’s shock, fourth round victory over Dr Billy O’Sullivan created much excitement, but another Irishman managed a more lasting impact. Max McCready from the Sunningdale and Dunmurry clubs, emerged triumphant by beating Willie “The Wedge” Turnesa in the final.

The Walker Cup

An enduring image from what proved to be a comfortable American victory on September 5th and 6th, was provided by Phil Mickelson on the afternoon of the second day. From the tightest of lies off the back of the 18th green, he left seasoned observers visibly stunned by playing the most exquisite, sandwedge pitch to within two feet of the target to seal a one-hole win over Jim Milligan. Mickelson had given a foretaste of these skills during practice by hitting the elusive 15th green, playing both right-handed and left-handed.

European Men’s Amateur Team Championship

1997 saw the 20th European Men's Amateur Team Championship staged at Portmarnock Golf Club. Portmarnock members Noel Fox and Jody Fanagan were part of a strong Irish team lined up against International players like Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia, Jamie Donaldson and Henrik Stenson.

The St. Andrews & The Jacques Léglise Trophy

In 2012, Portmarnock Golf Club hosted the St. Andrews & The Jacques Léglise Trophy event. The Continent of Europe defeated Great Britain & Ireland to win the both trophies during a week on the windswept links.

The Amateur Championship 2019

The decision by the R&A to award Portmarnock Golf Club the 2019 Amateur Championship was a signal honour for the club. Portmarnock Golf Club had been at the core of golf in Ireland since its foundation and it is particularly apt that this honour was bestowed on the club in the year in which it celebrated its 125th anniversary and also coincided with the 70th anniversary of the club’s hosting of the amateur championship, won by Max McCready in 1949. This is only the second time that the Amateur has been held outside of Great Britain and on both occasions Portmarnock Golf Club have hosted the event. The 2019 Amateur Championship was held in Portmarnock Golf Club from Monday the 17th of June until Saturday the 22nd of June. Trophy photo courtesy of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

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