Years 1982 - 1986
1982
Council Members:- President, P Cosgrave; Captain, Dermot Hitchcock; Vice-Captain, Brian O Kelly; Hon. Secretary, Jack Tiernan; Treasurer, Ewan Byrne; Council, Con Gallagher, Ken Lawless, John Mooney, Mel McCarthy, Charlie Nangle, Brian O Higgins, J Swan, Tony Sheehan, Peter Wallace
In January 1982 it was request that Choir remain available for future functions.
On 5th January 1982 Des O Sullivan, Secretary Manager, wrote to the G.U.I. informing them of the total number of Members in the Club at the end of their last financial year as follows: Full 293, Honorary 4, Junior 35, Lady Associates 80 and paying the G.U.I. Annual Subscription of £1318.00.
This year saw the sale of the Hotel to Chinese Group. The Club encountered problems with the condition of the Course and wrote to the new owner stating their concerns. Towards the end of 1982, the Golf Club assumed full responsibility for the maintenance of the Course from the Hotel. In December of 1982, the Club received legal opinion providing that they held a Licence Agreement from the Hotel, but did not have any Tenancy rights.
A Development Committee was set up to investigate the possible purchase of lands and relocation of the Golf Club comprising of John L. Byrne, Ewan Byrne, John Mooney and Dermot Hitchcock. A number of new sites were now being actively considered in the area with a view to forming their own Members Club.
On 30th June 1982, the Old Conna Hill Estate was offered for sale by public auction
through Jones Lang Wootton in the Shelbourne Hotel by Allied Irish Investment Bank with Old Conna Hill House, a Hotel, that was then in what is now Aravon (John Scottus) School. At that time the Estate comprised of 168 acres of land along with Old Conna Hill House and some of the properties along Ferndale Road. Also included in the sale were the properties in the Village, The Stewarts House, Farm Managers Cottage, Head Grooms Cottage and Caretakers Flat to the left of our 9th Tee Box and the Garden Cottage that is now our Starters Office and Pro Shop. The lands were purchased by Owen McDermott and Patrick Sexton (Old Connaught Limited).
This report is held on file. The model is on display in our Archive room. The proposals, which were later approved by the local planning authority, included planning permission for 14 substantial houses on the grounds, along with the Golf Course.
On the Club front, Elvery’s Sports Group expressed an interest in setting up a store in the Club, but unfortunately nothing came of this.
The first playing of the Spina Bifida Competition took place on the 24th July 1982. The Loctite Mixed Competition took place with 186 people taking part.
Dermot Hitchcock was appointed a Trustee following the stepping down of Bill Magill. Dermot later became a very influential member of the team in connection with the purchase of our current grounds.
In December 1982 Dolores Keller and Ann Hill were Eastern District winners of the Lancôme Trophy.
The Annual Dinner dance had 164 people attending.
The J B Carr team were County Winners.
1983
On 1st January 1983 Annual Subscription Notice was issued to a full Member as follows:-
Annual Subscription £130.00
Competition Vouchers £10.00
Bonus for Staff £1.50
Locker rental (if relevant) £2.00
Total Subscription £143.50
In January 1983 the Club’s crested jumpers became available from Clery’s, O’Connell Street, Dublin.
In January 1983 the Club wrote to the Hotel agreeing to take over the responsibility for Course maintenance as a means of improving the playability of the course.
The late Michael Horan won the Wicklow Scratch Cup.
The balance sheet at the end of June 1983 showed an excess of income of £3080.16, bringing the total to £28,181.16.
On 30th June 1983 enquiries were made in writing to Allied Irish Investment Bank regarding the purchase of 120 acres of land from the Old Conna Estate together with Garden House and surrounding Gardens. An offer was made, but the Club did not have the funds, and backing from A.I.I.B. was not forthcoming to proceed with the purchase at the time.This proves to be a significant year. On the 24th October 1983, Eddie Hackett wrote a report to Con Gallagher following his examination of the site at Old Conna Estate along with Bernard Byrne of Jones Lang Wootton after being appointed as consultant and adviser to the Club. Over the following couple of years Eddie appraised all the sites that were in contention as a new home for the Club, and from his first visit to Old Conna Hill he was enthusiastic about the capabilities of the site. In that first report dated 24th October 1983, Eddie in his conclusion states, “A great asset is the proximity of the site to centres of population along with the astounding views of Bray, The Wicklow Mountains and the views towards Killiney. I found this a really fascinating site and consider it as having outstanding potential for the establishment of a first class Golf Course. I believe that it will compare at least favourably with the best inland Courses in Ireland and indeed, anywhere”. This statement has been proved correct time and again over the years.
Ewan Byrne and Eddie Hackett
In November 1983, The Club solicitor, Gore & Grimes, wrote to the Dublin Sports Hotel with amendments to a draft agreement for 1984. This appears to have been an ongoing situation over the years.
On 10th November 1983, the Development Committee held a meeting in John Mooney’s house to discuss Eddie Hackett’s two visits to the lands at Old Conna. Present were John L. Byrne, J Mooney, C Gallagher, E Byrne, B O’Kelly and D Hitchcock. Most of the Development Committee’s meetings were held in the Committee Member’s houses in order to prevent the Hotel from knowing that such meetings were taking place.
In early December1983, John L Byrne wrote to Bernard Byrne , Jones Lang Wotton saying that the Committee had completed a preliminary appraisal of the lands at Old Conna and expressed reservations about the layout of the site.
1984
Council for 1984, President John L Byrne, Captain Ewan Byrne, Vice Captain, Con Gallagher, Hon. Secretary Jack Tiernan. Hon. Treasurer Liam Carroll, Ex Officio Brian O Kelly. Members; Tony Sheehan, Brian O Higgins, Tom Mulcahy, Mel McCarthy, Michael Cluskey, Kevin Walsh, Donal O Kelly, Philip Bredin. Marie Gallagher wife of Con was nominated as Lady Vice Captain.
AIB notified the Club on 16th January 1984 that the bank was declining to provide the Club with finance to purchase land for a new golf course. Nevertheless, 1984 saw serious discussions taking place with the view to achieving our own Course. On 17th February John L Byrne wrote to Bill Mulrooney, following a meeting with Bill and Mr Sexton with an offer of £200,000.00 on completion and £30,000.00 per annum over the following 5 years making £350,000.00 in all for the Old Conna Hill property. This was not accepted. A number of sites were appraised over time and again this was taking place while negotiating with the Hotel, and also appears to have been kept under the radar as far as general knowledge of what was being done was concerned.
Some of the sites looked at include the following:
- A site on Lord Meath’s Estate in Bray.
- A site at Lehaunstown, Cabinteely.
- Roadstone Site in Ballycorus.
- Old Conna Hill.
- Fox’s Farm adjacent to Dublin Sport Hotel.
- Woodtown Manor Rathfarnam.
- St. John of God Lands at Kilcroney.
- Somers Farm.
Other than the Roadstone site and the Old Conna Hill site, all the remaining sites were deemed unsuitable for one reason or another. On further investigation by Eddie Hackett and others the Roadstone site was also ruled out later on in April 1985. Eddie stated that due to drainage difficulties that site would hardly be able to be made suitable for Golf.
On St. Patricks Day 1984, the Golf Competition was cancelled, due to snow on the Course.
On 30th March Captain Ewan Byrne wrote to Bill Mulrooney offering £230,000.00 down payment and £30,000.00 per annum over four years for the Old Conna Estate subject to conditions. Again this was refused.
Membership Numbers in April 1984 stood at 313 Full Members, 92 Lady Associates and 45 Juniors.
The Lady Captain was discussing the possibility of a 6 Day Lady Associate Membership with her Committee.
The balance sheet of 30th June 1984 showed an excess of income of £8619.84 bringing the total to £36,801.00
October saw Michael Herriott appointed to act for the Club in all negotiations necessary for the purchase of acreage necessary for the establishment of an 18 Hole Golf Course.
Around this time rumours were circulating that the Hotel was for sale again.
The Hotel was also seeking an increase in charges for the following year to £31,900.00. The charges was finally settled at £31,000.00
Overcrowding was occurring on the 1st tee at popular times and the remedy was that the Ladies Tee off on the 1st with the Men Tee off on the 4th Hole giving an extra 20 spaces.
1985
In March 1985 an advertisement was placed seeking Full Members for Dublin Sport Golf Club. The Captain advised caution in discussions following an article in the Irish Independent on the 26th March which was not taken well by Council. According to the Council, the Hotel was looking at what may have been happening in the background. Gore & Grimes on behalf of the Management of the Hotel, wrote to the Club in April 1985 stating that if the Hotel gave Notice of Termination of the Licence, the Licence Fee would be reduced by 50% but not if the Golf Club gave Notice. It appears, from Minutes, that at this time a number of developments were taking place simultaneously with regard to the Hotel Licence Agreement and the Club Development Committee intent on securing of new lands on an ad hoc basis with information been kept very tight within the Sub-Committee for quiet a period of time.
Congratulations were extended to Sally Fildes and Michael Horan for their win at Killiney G.C. in the Killiney Foursomes, sponsored by Fitzpatrick’s Hotel. The Council Minutes stated that at this time a new area of land was being looked at but no details were given. The end of year accounts to 30th June again shows a surplus of income of £13,734.00 bringing the total balance sheet to £61,273.41.
The Four Lakes Golf Club (now Killeeen Golf Club) outside Straffan came on the Market. Council was not interested due to its location.
August 1985 saw our Best Cup Team defeat Sutton in the Semi-Final by 3 ½ to 1 ½ matches to reach the final.
In September 1985, the Club had 373 Full Members, 128 Lady Associates and 44 Juniors.
In September, Council discussed deteriorating relationship with the Hotel along with further tracts of land being discussed. Again, there was no indication given in Minutes as to their location of these lands.
In October, Council Members won the Scalp Trophy against Delgany. The annual Scalp Trophy match with Delgany was some years earlier kindly arranged by Delgany G.C. who provided great support in the setting up of Dublin Sport G.C.
The Best Cup Team was unfortunately unsuccessful having reached the final against Ballinascorney.
Things are now getting serious as regards the purchase of land when Michael Herriott wrote on 20th December 1985 to John L Byrne in relation to Jacksons Land in Glenamuck and setting out conditions of sale, subject to Contract, at an agreed price of £385.000. An informal agreement was also made with the adjacent land owner for a maximum price of £100,000 in order to provide the required area for an 18 hole course, which would bring the total land purchase costs to £485,000.
Around this time the site at Old Conna Hill was under discussion/offer with Edmonstown Golf Club with Edmonstown moving to Old Conna and their lands being taken over by a builder for development. On knowing that this plan with Edmonstown was not proceeding very well, the Development Committee decided to make a final offer of £500,000 for the Old Conna lands. On the other hand, following what appears to have been extensive discussions with the Hotel over a long period of time during the year, on 23rd December 1985, Gerard Butler, solicitor for Dublin Sport G.C. wrote to Gore & Grimes solicitor acting for the Hotel setting out various points in relation to an agreement for the following year.
A further meeting of the Council and Development Committee was held on 28th December 1985 to discuss the situation and offer. It was attended by: John L. Byrne, John Mooney, Ewan Byrne, Dermot Hitchcock, Tony Sheehan, Jack Tiernan, Eddie Moroney, John Davitt and Liam Carroll.
1986
Council for 1985/86:- President, John L Byrne; Captain, Anthony (Tony) Sheehan; Vice- Captain, Jack Tiernan; Hon. Treasurer, Liam Carroll; Hon. Secretary, John Davitt. Council Members, Philip Bredin, Jimmy Brien, Tony Carroll, Michael Cluskey, Con Gallagher, Conor Maguire, Ron Mason, Frank Mooney and Mel McCarthy. Secretary Mrs Nuala O Kelly.
1986 proved to be a historic year for Dublin Sport Golf Club. The Officers and Members of Council along with their professional advisers achieved so much in the next year and a half that looking back now it was a momentous period of time.
When we sit in the Clubhouse today and look out at the 18th Green and 1st tee, it is extraordinary what has been achieved, but without the foresight of the people involved in 1986 and thereafter none of this would have happened.
The Development Sub-Committee consisted of Ewan Byrne, Tony Sheehan, John Mooney, Dermot Hitchcock, John L Byrne, Liam Carroll and Tony Carroll, initially, prior to issue of the Contract for development of the Course at Old Conna.
The Minutes of the Council Meeting of 6th January state the following:
Site 1. Withdrawn from Market.
Site 2. Carrickmines site. Offer of £500,000.00 under consideration.
Site 3. Glenamuck site. Offer of £485,000.00 for 100 acres under consideration.
Site 4. Offer of £500,000.00 for 130 Acres at Old Conna looked hopeful.
A Special Council Meeting was proposed to be arranged to discuss the matter in more detail. A general description of the developments by the Sub-Committee was outlined by the President.
Following a lengthy negotiating period, a formal offer in writing was made on 10th January 1986 by Michael Herriott of Herriott Estates Ltd acting on behalf of Dublin Sport Golf Club to William A Mulrooney of Mulrooney Properties acting on behalf of the vendors, Owen Mc Dermott and Old Connaught Ltd at the agreed price of £500,000.00. Numerous conditions were attached mainly in relation to the housing sites and the septic tank from Aravon School which was on Old Conna Hill, now our 10th fairway. Included in the purchase price were site no’s 1, 2,3,4,5, (now our practice area) with Old Connaught Ltd retaining ownership of sites 6,7,8,9 (now our 12A green and practice greens). The cottages at the South Eastern corner (back of 14th Tee) were excluded along with the two cottages opposite the junction with Allies River Road. The Club was to be granted a Right of Way over the entrance adjoining same.
In a letter to Ewan Byrne dated 27th January Ulster Bank set out the Terms of the Loan along with their interest terms.
Following a letter dated 7th February from Noel Smyth Solicitor for Owen McDermott to Gerard Butler (the Club’s solicitor) wrote to Ewan Byrne with details of Stamp Duty to be paid.
Boundaries (with Aravon) being disputed were staked and new position marked on 17th February. The bank was requiring further information regarding development costs.
On 21st February Eddie Hackett advised Captain Tony Sheehan of the cost of construction, being in the region of £4,500.00 to £5,000.00 per hole for 18 Holes, if certain local labour and Members took part in the construction. He also noted a ball park figure of £5,000.00 for his fees depending on the number of visits necessary.
As the Vendors were Owen McDermot and Old Connaught Ltd, (formerly Bonynge Ltd) the apportioned amounts were to be £325,000.00 in respect of Owen Mc Dermot and £175,000.00 in respect of Old Connaught Ltd. A company called Old Conna Golf Club Ltd was established to facilitate this with the shares vested in the Trustees of Old Conna Golf Club.
Old Connaught Limited was to issue shares to Old Conna Golf Club Ltd to allow the transfer of the Old Connaught Ltd portion of the property to Old Conna Golf Club, while Owen McDermot was to be granted Membership of Old Conna without payment of any Entrance Fee as part of the agreement.
Agreement was reached with Aravon School regarding boundaries. There was no agreement with Aravon in relation to the septic tank on Title.
In Spring the Development Committee was meeting regularly.
A.I.B. was approached on 18th March through a third party regarding the finance of the project and a meeting held. However, later on A I B were again not forthcoming with finance for the project.
Ewan Byrne, through Family Album had a contact with Ulster Bank and through them finance was arranged by Lombard & Ulster Bank Ltd. subject to certain conditions for the sum of £400,000.00
A letter from Eddie Hackett, dated 24th March, detailed a very comprehensive design report and feasibility study for a proposed 18 Hole Golf Course at Old Conna. He also mentioned that in his initial letter of October 1983, where he stated that no planning application was required, that this had now changed. He also stated that the potential was greatly enhanced by the Club acquiring the 5 sites as it would have made it very difficult to produce a safe course. He included in his letter a total budget cost of £748,000. This was to include a Clubhouse with a budget of £500,000.00. He stated that while it is a daunting figure, but not to Members of the Club with their Club Spirit. He concluded his Report by stating “We have many famous and magnificent Golf Courses in this Country, but hardly any to surpass the setting and ultimate course at Old Conna”.
On 25th March Gerard Butler, solicitor for Dublin Sport Golf Club, wrote to Ewan Byrne providing that he had received contracts from Noel Smyth Solicitor for Owen McDermot for the purchase of the land at Old Conna and outlining the Special Conditions attached.
A letter from Gerard Butler dated 3rd April to Noel Smyth enclosing contracts in duplicate for property, along with a cheque in the sum of £50,000.00 in respect of the portion of the property being sold by Owen McDermot, along with proposed amended conditions including being approved by the Club Members at the forthcoming E.G.M.
A discussion took place in a meeting between the Council and the Development Committee in Killiney Castle Hotel on 27th March preparing for the forthcoming EGM on 30th April, which was to be held in The Victor Hotel. Also discussed was the name to adopt for the new course, Old Conna G.C., Ferndale Park G.C. or Rathmichael G.C. It was decided to use the name “Old Conna Golf Club”.
Notice was issued on 3rd April Members for the Extraordinary General Meeting of Dublin Sport Golf Club on 30th April in the Victor Hotel, Rochestown Avenue, with the Agenda as follows:
“To approve the Acquisition by the Club of Lands At Old Conna, Rathmichael, in the County of Dublin for development by the Club of an 18 Hole Golf Course and Club House and to approve the financial Arrangements for the acquisition and Development of the said property by the Club.”
Ewan Byrne wrote to A.I.B. on 22nd April with a Cash Flow statement as requested.
It was confirmed on 24th April that the Golf Club when transferred will be known as “OLD CONNA GOLF CLUB”.
The E.G M. of 30th April had 260 Members in attendance. The plans for the development at Old Conna were outlined by Ewan Byrne, along with a full brief on the finances, the proposed levy of £1200.00 for current Full Members and £1400.00 for New Full Members along with a Marketing Plan for New Members. A Question and Answer session took place, followed by a Vote on the proposals. The result of the Vote was as follows:
238 Members voted for the proposal
15 against
2 Spoiled Votes
11 Members did not vote.
It was also proposed that the number of Full Members be restricted to 475. All the documents used for the presentation on the night remain on file.
Such was the enthusiasm among those present, following the vote, many Members offered the Club the levy there and then.
The Presentation for Old Conna Golf Club to the Lady Associate Members took place on 20th May at 8pm which also got their full support.
Signing for Old Conna Hill, L to R John Mooney, Dermot Hitchcock, Tony Sheehan, Captain and John L Byrne, President.
A Press Release was issued on 1st May to local and national newspapers, stating that Dublin Sport Golf Club had purchased 128 acres of Land with the intention of developing their own Club, with Eddie Hackett as Course Designer. Dr Tom Kavanagh of An Foras Talúntais and The Kinsealy Research Centre had been appointed as consultant for the materials to be used on the construction of the Greens and Tee boxes.
By 23rd June the bank account contained £414,000.00 with £17,000.00 outstanding from existing Members.
The Development Committee in conjunction with Eddie Hackett drew up a specification for construction of the Golf Course which was put out to Tender with a closing date of 11th June. Six or seven firms tendered initially with the lowest four tenders being assessed as follows:-
Bryan Plant Hire £187,000
Roadstone £171,000
Burkes Plant Hire £155,000
A & M Carroll £144,000
The Contract was awarded to A & M Carroll Ltd, by letter on 25th June subject to contract, with the main condition being that the deal to purchase the lands be completed. The Contract was duly signed on 4th July at the price of £139,500.00. Prior to commencement of the construction, the hay that had been growing on the lands had to be cut and saved, at a cost of £9.00 per acre and £4.00 per acre for bailing and stacking. This was subsequently sold locally.
On the 30th June John Byrne, Dermot Hitchcock and John Mooney as Trustees of Dublin Sport Golf Club signed for the purchase of the lands in Binchy & Co. Solicitors, of 37/39 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2, with Tony Sheehan as Captain present.
Turning the Sod for Old Conna Golf Club. Original walled garden of the Old Conna Hill Estate.
L to R. Tony Carroll, Ewan Byrne,
Captain Tony Sheehan, John Mooney
and President John L Byrne.
A few photos during construction in July 1986.
The balance sheet at 30th June 1986 showed an excess of income over expenditure of £12,633.00 bringing the total to £73,906.00.
This was a very busy period with a number of projects on hand, namely the construction of the Golf Course, and dealing with the Dublin Sport Hotel, to which Notice of Termination was issued on 18th July giving 11 months and 3 weeks’ Notice from this date. The legal requirements for an application for a Bar Licence were also being dealt with at this time. The proposed budget was showing a shortfall of approx £50,000.00 and a push for New Members was put in place.
Keaney Quinn & Partners had been appointed as architects for the building of the Clubhouse and a number of meetings were also taking place for the Design and Budget of same along with the cost of the Architects Fees.
In August an agreement was reached with Old Connaught Ltd for the purchase of the four remaining sites between the 13th and 18th fairways for £95,000.00 plus the cost of completion of the water system. The finance was to be secured by increasing the Membership from 475 to 525. On the advice of Gerard Butler, Solicitor, it was not deemed necessary to hold an E.G.M. due to the wording of the Club Constitution at this time.
During this period, regular meetings of the Development Committee were taking place, with regard to the progress of construction of the Golf Course along with the finalising of the budget, along with the proposals for submission to the local planning authority for the construction of the Clubhouse.
Plans were being prepared to have temporary greens made available for playing the following year in the event of the new full greens not being ready. Plans were also being put in place for a tree planting programme which would be ready for implementation the following November. This was later taken up by Michael Silke who sought sponsorship for trees and issued a map showing where your tree was planted.
The Marketing Plan was now in full swing with a house-to-house drop of leaflets. These leaflets set out details of the new club “Old Conna Golf Club”
and if interested, a full brochure was sent out to the prospective member.
The audited accounts as at 6th June showed cash in bank £424,831.
At the July Development Meeting it was noted that 220 Members had paid the Levy, and a further 182 had been interviewed of which 97 had joined as Members. It was felt that by September the agreed number of 475 Full Members would be achieved and paid, and when this did happen a waiting list was implemented.
The cost of the Clubhouse was now budgeted at £247,000.00 inc VAT along with £20,000.00 budgeted for the car park and fees.
The Minutes of the Development Committee dated 25th August authorised by Ewan Byrne for them to agree a price between £90,000 and £100,000 to purchase the land with sites numbered 1 to 4 in front of the proposed Clubhouse from developer Owen McDermot. Fees of £20,000 were agreed with the architect for the design of the Clubhouse. A further meeting was to be held with the architect to agree the final location of the Clubhouse in the walled garden area.
The September Development Meeting saw the Membership at 475. Membership numbers for the Ladies section had not been agreed with the Lady Captain and further discussions were to take place at this stage. Proposals were also being put forward for an increase in Full Membership Numbers.
In December a Meeting was held with Aravon School to agree boundary line and also with Dublin County Council regarding water supply and a proposed levy for same, £20,000 payable over 3 years if public water supply used.
Discussions were also being held with regard to the use of Manpower on the Course. Following the construction many Members took part in the removal of stones etc from the fairways over a number of evenings.
Meeting were also being held with A & M Carroll and Eddie Hackett to discuss and agree proposed extras of £27,106.00 plus V.A.T. at 10%. Ewan Byrne confirmed that that would put the Course Budget at £6,000.00 over budget and that no further expenditure would be accepted.
In order to avoid the expense of setting up and running a Group Water Scheme as required by the developer, to be shared between the Club and his adjoining housing sites, wells were drilled on the sites and tested. A well was also located in the Garden area which was used by the contractor and was later filled in during the construction of the Putting Green.
Discussions were taking place between the Architect and the Fire Officer in relation to the plans for the Clubhouse.
Brian O Higgins and James Byrne, an engineer, became involved with the specification requirements of the Clubhouse at this time. Dan Nolan was also involved.
From our Statement of Title, a resolution was passed on the 5th November 1986, changing the name of Dublin Sport Golf Club to Old Conna Golf Club.
The Captain, Tony Sheehan held his Captain’s Dinner in Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel on 18th July due to notice having been given by the Club to cease golfing in Kilternan.