The London Irish Golf Society

The London Irish Rugby Football Club Golfing Society has operated for many years. The Society provides a forum for members and players of the rugby club to enjoy golfing together through the organisation of golfing competitions and other social occasions and to support London Irish Rugby.

If you are interested in learning more about the Society, please contact Noel Traynor Hon. Secretary on 020 8904 9485, Bill Murray Captain, on 07880795772 or Eddie Orr President, on 01635 582680.

Tour 2011 – Praia D’El Rey, Portugal

This year’s Captain, Billy Murray, has chosen the magnificent Praia D’El Rey Golf and Beach Resort in Portugal as the location for the Autumn Tour.
Crowned Europe’s Leading Golf and Leisure Resort during the European leg of the 2010 World Travel Awards, the resort is less than one hour north of Lisbon, set amongst rolling sand dunes and pine tree forests. Its golf course, opened in 1997, is regularly ranked among the top 20 in Europe.
Billy believes some members will already be there at that time, but most would fly out on 29 September and return on 2 October. He reports that flights to Lisbon should be available at £100 or thereabouts.

Tour 2010 Report – Wicklow

Captain Cathal Leonard led a strong party to the “Garden of Ireland” in October 2010. The Druids Glen Hotel and Golf Resort played host to over 40 members and guests. Although the group was blessed with great golfing weather, the Heath and Glen courses still proved to be tough tests of skill, stamina and patience.
Paul Blundell won on Day One; Tim O’Dwyer took the honours on Day Two. The winner over the two days with 66 points was Columb Harrington. He was presented with the famous Silver Fox trophy and thus became the second Major winner in that well-known golfing family. In second place was the durable Gerry Holland with 61 points; Diarmuid Clohessy was third with 60 points.
Once again, members enjoyed a magical few days in a beautiful location, with a tough challenge to their sporting prowess alongside the pleasure of mingling with old friends and meeting some new ones.

2009 Tour Report - Lahinch, Co Clare

Under the captaincy of Michael Gibson, the Society visited Ireland’s mid-west coast in early October and played both Lahinch courses for the Tom Kiernan Silver Fox trophy.
Wet and windy conditions on the first day, Friday, made the Castle Course a real test. Paddy Kelly was best on the course with Kevin Harrington a close second. Following a great supper in the club house, there was added enjoyment as members and friends settled down to watch London Irish play (and beat ) Leinster in the Heineken Cup 1st round qualifier.
On Saturday, Day 2, the autumn sun shone brightly, augmenting the enjoyment of playing the world-famous Old Course. Here Michael Connole won the day with Gerry Holland in second place.
The Silver Fox trophy, awarded for play over both days, was won by David Cromie with a combined score of 69 points. Cathal Leonard and Ricky Fagan were second & third respectively.
All in all, this was a great weekend in a great golfing resort which thoroughly impressed our entire party.

2008 Tour Report - The North of Ireland

On the weekend of 10th-12th October 2008 forty three members of the London Irish RFC Golfing Society embarked on this their 40th Anniversary Tour, led by Captain Terry Thompson to his native North of Ireland.
The Tour competition for the Tom Kiernan trophy was played over two days at Castlerock GC in Co Derry and on crossing the Foyle by ferry to Ballyliffen GC in Co Donegal.  Unfortunately the sun did not shine on the Friday but the quality of the course at Castlerock did, and after a hard days golf the members were treated to a performance of a Lambeg drum and Fife.  On the Saturday we were blessed with beautiful sunny weather capped by a memorable day's golf at the magnificent Ballyliffen links.
Accommodation at the Roe Valley Radisson in Limavady was excellent and Frank Owens Pub proved to be quite an experience for some of the members, with the Guinness recommended by Darren Clarke as ‘the best in the North'.
The winner of Tom Kiernan's Silver Fox was Mike Gibson with 74 points, Michael Connole came second (70) Noel Traynor third (69) with fellow Finchley man Paddy Kelly fourth (68). The individual winners on Friday were Philip Grant (33) and John Coakley (32).  Saturday's winners were Noel Donovan (36) and David Cromie (35).
A successful Tour thoroughly enjoyed by all.

2007 Tour report - Cork

On the weekend of the 5th-7th October 2007, the London Irish RFC Golfing Society held it's annual tour, which was led by Captain Michael Connole to his home city of Cork. In fantastic sunny weather, the 45 members of the tour played Cork Golf Club, Fota Island and Lee Valley, staying at the Maryborough House Hotel, Douglas, Cork. The Tour Competition is played over two days for the Tom Kiernan trophy and this year's winner was local boy, Gary Squires (ex A2s), with Bart O'Connell and Michael Connole close second and third respectively.
A memorable weekend was capped by a tour dinner on the Saturday evening which was preceded by the fantastic France v New Zealand RWC Quarter Final.

2006 Tour report - Carton House and Country Club

On the weekend of 13th-15th October 2006, fifty two members of the London Irish RFC Golfing Society (a record tour attendance) had a memorable tour to Carton House, Maynooth, County Kildare with good weather as a bonus.
The hotel accommodation and food was excellent and the new hotel building blended in beautifully with the old structure of Carton House (the historical country home of the Dukes of Leinster). The Montgomery course was very testing, and required a natural fade to avoid the bunkers, and was in excellent condition as was the O’Meara course, which was somewhat more forgiving with three memorable signature holes on the back nine running along side the River Liffey. Both courses were a delight to play.
The winner of the Tom Kiernan Trophy was David Cromie (71 points). Paddy Kelly (62 points) came second with Duncan Leopold (62 points) taking the third place on a count back. Noel Donovan finished fourth with 61 points. The individual winners on Friday were Michael Connole (36 points), Harry Ashall (35) and Ricky Fagan (34). Saturday individual winners were Paddy Kelly (35) Ray Crotty (34) and Ed Patten (32).