Club History

The 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open was a significant milestone for Lahinch Golf Club. Held from July 4-7, the tournament brought 27 of the world’s top 50 golfers to the club’s historic links course.

The event saw Jon Rahm claim victory, securing his second Irish Open title with a superb final-round performance. Rahm shot a flawless 62 on the final day, which included eight birdies and an eagle, to win by two strokes. His 16-under-par total of 264 was enough to hold off a strong challenge from England’s Andy Sullivan and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger. Rahm’s victory was a testament to his skill and composure, and it added to the excitement and prestige of the event, which was watched by a sellout crowd on-site and millions across the globe. While the course presented a formidable challenge for the players, it also highlighted the unique character of Lahinch, which is known as one of the best links courses in the world.

The 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open was also notable for its community atmosphere and the level of local support. The people of Lahinch, and the surrounding areas turned out in large numbers to support the event, creating a festival for players and fans alike. The tournament helped to further cement Lahinch’s reputation as a world-class golfing destination and highlighted the club’s commitment to promoting the sport at all levels.

In addition to Jon Rahm’s victory, the event featured several Ryder Cup stalwarts in M. Kaymer, T. Fleetwood, L. Westwood, I. Poulter, P. Harrington, D. Clarke, T Hatton, T. Bjorn and G. McDowell, who gave the crowd plenty to cheer about.

Overall, the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open was a memorable and successful week for Lahinch Golf Club, the players, and the fans, further enhancing the legacy of an iconic course and solidifying its place in the world of professional golf to support it’s already storied amateur legacy. 

The 2024 Arnold Palmer Cup at Lahinch Golf Club was a landmark event for both the club and the tournament, bringing one of the World’s most prestigious amateur team competitions to the heart of Ireland’s west coast once again. Held from July 1-7, 2024, this Ryder Cup-style event saw the best men and women collegiate golfers from the USA face off against a talented International Team, representing players from across the globe outside the U.S. The competition was particularly significant for Lahinch, as it provided a stage for the next generation of golf stars to showcase their talents on one of the world’s most iconic links courses. Lahinch has long been a favourite among golfers, and hosting the Arnold Palmer Cup added another prestigious chapter to its amateur golf DNA.

The match was fiercely contested across four days of competition, with Team USA emerging victorious, defeating the International Team by a final score of 32.5 to 27.5. A number of rising stars made a mark during the event, with standout performances from both teams. The final result, however, showcased Team USA’s depth and resilience as they closed out the competition.

The event was a celebration not only of golf but also of the legacy of Arnold Palmer, whose contributions to the sport are commemorated through this unique competition. With both men and women competing alongside each other, the tournament exemplified the growing role of women in golf and the sport’s future. Among the standout performers were USA’s Gordon Sargent and Rachel Keuhn, as well as the International Team’s Josele Ballester and Sara Byrne.

So far the winners of the Men’s US Amateur (Josele Ballester), Men’s Amateur Championship (Jacob Skov Olesen), Latin America Amateur Championship (Santiago De La Fuente) and Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (Wenyi Ding) were represented, along with 5 Walker Cup players from 2023 (Calum Scott, Ben James, David Ford, Gordon Sargent, Preston Summerhayes). 

On the Women’s side, the winners of the European Ladies’ Amateur Championship (Louise Rydqvist), Women’s Amateur Championship (Melanie Green), Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship (Anna Davis), NCAA D1 Women’s Championship (Adela Cernousek) were represented along with 7 Curtis Cup players from 2024 (Sara Byrne, Hannah Darling, Zoe Campos, Anna Davis, Melanie Green, Rachel Kuehn, Catherine Park)

A full list of players can be found by clicking here.

Ladies were to the forefront of golf at Lahinch since the foundation of the Club. Weekend’s of competitive golf in the 1890’s featured special competitions for the ladies. Miss E. McDonnell was the most skilled lady golfer at the Club in the early years while Miss Walker Leigh was elected as the first Lady Captain of the Club.

In 1904 Lahinch Golf Club hosted the Irish Ladies’ Championship for the first time. The Clare Journal of 7th June 1904 described the championship in the following manner: “The links now are at their best. There was brilliant sunshine as play opened on Monday. The three Miss Hezlets from Portrush were a great attraction”. That championship was won by Miss May Hezlet whose handicap at one stage was plus 6. Lahinch has remained at the forefront of Irish Ladies golf ever since and has hosted the Irish Ladies’ Championship on eleven occasions.

Nancy Connole from Parliament St., Ennistymon was Honorary Secretary of the Ladies Section from 1947 to 2007. She was a wonderful administrator and made a marvellous contribution to the promotion of ladies golf at Lahinch. Two other Ennistymon ladies, Nan Ahern and Eileen Roughan, were great competitors at the Club from the 1940’s through to the 1960’s.

On the playing front, the ladies won the Munster Senior Cup on eight occasions. Their first success came in 1946 with their most recent victory in 2015. Down through the years, Eithne O’Brien (nee McCarron) was a member of a number of the successful teams, winning in six different decades at the Club.

Dough Castle

Dough Castle (1306) provides a wonderful backdrop to 7th hole on the Castle Course. Originally founded by the O’Connor’s in 1306, its old name “Dumhach Ui Chonchuir” translates as O’Connor’s Sandbank and it was an O’Connor stronghold until they were ousted by the O’Brien’s in the days of Queen Elizabeth 1.

Reference to the Castle dates back to 1422 but the present ruin was built after that time. By 1584 the Castle was held by Sir Donal O’Brien’s family. In 1654, Colonel Stubber, a Cromwellian Officer, saved the Castle from the “Commissioners for overthrowing and demolishing Castles in Connaught and Clare”. It was described in 1675 as a tall battlemented tower with a two-storied dwelling house attached to one side.

The present ruin is the result of poor foundations (mainly sand) rather than the ravages of war. The building collapsed at various times, mainly during the nineteenth century. Only one wall now remains of Dough Castle. The sand-hills are supposed to be the haunt of Donn Dumhach, the Fairy King, and the sand-hill near the bridge, known as Crughaneer, is also supposed to be haunted.

In 1990, following an invitation from the Men’s Committee, lady golfers became full members of the Club and the Club is now governed by a Council with representation from both the Men’s and Ladies’ Committees.
The Ladies section attracts members from all parts of Ireland and from overseas. The common bond is a love of Lahinch Golf Club and lady members’ return, year after year, to enjoy the wonderful facilities at the Club.

The Worlds’ Best Have Played At Lahinch
Over the years Lahinch Golf Club has welcomed many of the greatest players in the world.

Click here to view some of the Major winners who have played our course.