The Royal Belfast Golf Club
 One of only four "Royal" Golf Clubs in Ireland and also the oldest Club in Ireland   Founded November 9th 1881

The Origin of Golf in Ireland

Founded on November 9th 1881, The Royal Belfast Golf Club is the oldest club in Ireland and its formation proved to be the inspiration for the growth of the game in Ireland. The founding of the club is primarily due to Mr. Thomas Sinclair who, having played golf with friends at St. Andrews whilst visiting Scotland in the summer of 1881, was smitten by the game.

On his return home, along with George Baillie, a Scottish born English master at a local school who was an experienced golfer, Sinclair sought a suitable site in and around Belfast to build a golf course. Eventually Kinnegar in Holywood (an area owned by Captain Harrison the first President of the club) was selected and such was the enthusiasm of the original 18 members of the club that the course was laid out within seven weeks and on Boxing Day 1882 the first 18 hole competition was held.

Migration

In 1892, with a membership of 160, the course became over-crowded on Saturdays and this, together with the increasing use of the area as a rifle range, forced the club to look for a new venue. Fifty acres of land were leased at Carnalea near Bangor for 21 years and a nine hole course was created. In 1925 the club again decided to move, primarily due to over-crowding, and purchased the mansion and surrounding 140 acres of land at Craigavad which soon became the clubhouse and 18 hole course. These fine surroundings is where The Royal Belfast Golf Club is located to this day.

Royal Patronage

The Royal Belfast Golf Club is one of only four golf clubs in Ireland that have been honoured with the title "Royal", having been visited in 1885 by the Prince of Wales who became the club's first patron. This patronage has continued through the history of the club, the position currently being held by Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

Although the two other Royal clubs in Northern Ireland, Royal County Down Golf Club and Royal Portrush Golf Club, are perhaps better known worldwide, golf historians recognise The Royal Belfast Golf Club as the origin of the game in Ireland and as such is a special place to visit and a prized course to play.
 
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