History of Achill Golf Club
(These notes have been compiled by Pat Conway P.R. O. Achill Golf Club)

Dear____________________

A Development Committee elected for the area of Keel and Dookinella hopes to establish a nine-hole golf course on the Sandy Bank at Keel and has been fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Cecil Ewing in the selection of tees and greens.

Before work can start, funds must be collected. An annual membership fee of £1. 10 shillings for Achill residents and £1. 1 shilling for country members has been fixed. All funds and profits will be devoted to the upkeep and maintenance of the Course.

To help in the initial stages, the Committee would very greatly appreciate early subscriptions, as it is hoped to have the course in play for the coming Summer. As country members will form a large majority, their support will be especially valuable in creating this new amenity for Summer visitors.

If sufficient response is not received to enable a start to be made for this summer, all fees will be returned, and a fresh start made in 1953.

Membership would come into force from the opening date of the Course. Members would not be subject to any further charges.

Michael O'Malley

Hon Secretary.

First Official Competition on Keel Golf Course

on Sunday 3 rd August 1952.

Extracts from Mayo News..9 th August 1952

The Mayo News reporter was there to report the results of that first competition in Keel. Indeed we are glad to say that down the years the Mayo News has covered the results of competitions and continues to do so to the present day.

"Keel Golf Club had its official opening on Sunday last with an 18 Hole Stroke Competition. There were 26 entries for the competition, which included strong representation from Westport and Castlebar as well as members of many other clubs who were on holidays in Achill .

In view of the inclement weather the Committee of the Keel Club have every reason to be satisfied with the number of entries. Those taking part in the competition found parts of the course rather difficult due to the sandy nature of the soil, but the players were all loud in their praise of the almost unequalled situation of the course, with its beautiful scenery and the invigorating effect of the clean bracing sea air.

There is no doubt but that the course will prove a great attraction to golfing visitors. While much work remains to be done on some of the fairways and most of the greens, the course can offer an excellent morning's or evening's pleasure to golfers.

Naturally, the Committee have only slender financial resources at the moment and they are to be congratulated on the progress to date, A great deal will , of course, depends not only on the support of outside golfers and golf clubs, but on the extent to which the business people of Keel, who should be sufficiently far-seeing to realise what a boom the course will mean to themselves, will be prepared to assist financially- particularly at this, the early and most difficult stage of the Club's existence.

There are great possibilities for the Club but much money and hard work will be required to develop its full possibilities. The course has many natural advantages, which if fully exploited , could make Keel a great attraction for golfers.

On all sides we found a great feeling of appreciation of the Committee's work and of goodwill with regard to the success of the club. We feel sure that the outsiders will not fail if the Keel people themselves proceed with the development of the course.

The winner of the beautiful Keel Cup was Mr. John Egan, Castlebar, with a net score of 70 and Mr. John Kelly of Westport and Dr. Kevin Jones, Castlebar tied for second place with 71 net. A Dublin pair won the foursomes competition on Monday, with Messrs. John Egan and Phil Hoban securing second place.