Circa 1888 the first course was laid out at Rathcooney Hill just above Glanmire Village. Moving to its present location in 1897, when Messrs Moundsley & Sharman Crawford stumbled on the present piece of land, as they sailed up the Lee Estuary to compete in the Cork City Regatta.

Tom Dunne of Bournemouth laid out the first 9 holes and the Course complete with Clubhouse located close to our present 8th Tee opened for play towards the end of 1898.

Our first Professional was David Brown and it was he who designed additional holes on land which is currently known as “The Park”. His design for these holes was endorsed by the famous Harry Vardon who came to Cork to play an Exhibition Match in 1909.

Dr. Alister MacKenzie was a well established course designer by the time he and his foreman Jack Fleming came to Cork to redesign our Course. Work commenced early in 1924 and was completed in time for our first professional Tournament in 1925.

MacKenzie’s design features were carried through to many famous courses, notably, Cypress Point, Augusta National, Royal Melbourne, Titirangi in New Zealand, St. Andrews in Scotland, Moortown and Alwoodley in England and of course, Lahinch.

Cork Golf Club is proud of its associations with the many famous and dedicated people who have contributed towards its success and its ranking among the famous golf clubs of the world.