Woodenbridge Golf Club has been was described by the legendary Joe Carr as “Ireland’s Augusta” and “The most scenic golf course in Ireland, a hidden gem”.Documents regarding the origins of Woodenbridge Golf Club are hard to come by. This is no surprise, considering the first officially documented game of golf in Woodenbridge took place way back in 1884. It was in that year that Col. E.A.R. Bayly offered an invitation to Sir Stanley Cochran of Woodbrook House to field a team of gentlemen for a round in what has become one of Ireland's most beautiful courses.
It is understood, however that golf was being played in Woodenbridge prior to this date, but this is the official date of the birth of our club and in 1894, the club was opened to all who wished to play. The first committee was formed in 1897 and with the course now fully commissioned, Woodenbridge joined the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) in 1899. This was also the year of our first inter-club competition where we played against Bray Golf Club. Interestingly, the result of that match was never recorded!
The course enjoyed many trials and tribulations between that time and now with significant redesigning taking place in 1915 under the eye of Tom Travers, the then renowned Dun Laoghaire professional.
It remained a nine-hole course until 1994 when Paddy Merrigan was commissioned to design the additional nine hole layout and extend Woodenbridge to a Par 71, 18-hole course. The new holes were blended seamlessly and agelessly into the fabled original nine holes. He subsequently upgraded the old nine holes in a most sensitive manner so that strong, entertaining golf is provided to balance modern technology with the essence of this historic and beautiful place. J.B. Carr, almost certainly Ireland's most successful amateur golfer, once described the 18-hole course as "Ireland's Augusta and probably the most scenic course in Ireland".
Woodenbridge Golf Club is truly steeped in history and can only really be appreciated by visiting the clubhouse to view the many photographs and paintings that adorn the walls.
About Arklow Links
Arklow Golf Club was formed in 1927. Since the very beginning, the Club has extended a warm and inviting welcome to all of its visitors from at home and from overseas. Your friends at Arklow will ensure that your visit is much more than a great round of golf. South Wicklow's beauty, the adjacent Irish Sea,reasonable rates and extraordinary service will guarantee your personal satisfaction above all else.
History
Arklow Golf Club in 2008 celebrated its 80th Anniversary. Since the very beginning, the Club has extended a warm and inviting welcome to all of its visitors from at home and from overseas.
This traditional links was formed by Hawtree & Taylor in 1927 and has evolved with the aid of inputs from Eddie Hackett and in recent times Eddie Connaughton. The links has been described as a hidden jewel and the Southern Region of the Irish PGA held their 2001 and 2002 Championships on this links.
In 2008 "Backspin" Golf Magazine, following an extensive survey, rated Arklow as its 29th best links on the island of Ireland
