John Burke with his ‘classic’ finish
1921 – 1950
In 1926 the services of world renowned Golf Course Architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie were sought and plans for a new 18 hole course were agreed. In his report to the Committee, Dr. MacKenzie stated that, “Lahinch will make the finest and most popular golf course that I, or I believe anyone else, ever constructed.” The cost of the development was set at £2,000.
In 1927 William McCavery made the long journey from Newcastle in Co. Down to take up the appointment as Golf Professional at the Club. His first job was to assist in the layout of the new golf links course. He went on to serve as Golf Professional at the Club for the next sixty years.
In 1928 John Burke arrived as a golfer and won the South of Ireland Championship for the first time. He went on to win four-in-a-row and eleven titles in all. He won his first Irish Close Championship at Lahinch in 1930 and also won that title four times-in-a-row. A contemporary newspaper account stated: “Much water will have flown through the river Fergus before Ireland produces a player capable of taking the championship from Sean Burke.” He won his place on the British and Irish Walker Cup team in 1932 which was held at Brookline Country Club in Boston.
Another famous Lahinch golfing personality from the period was Mick O’Loughlin. His sharp wit and turn of phrase brought great enjoyment to many. He won the South of Ireland Championship in 1937 and 1938.
A new Clubhouse was built in the 1940s’. The 2nd World War also saw a drop in the number of visitors coming to the Club but, once again, the Club survived. Careful nurturing of the links golf course ensured the enduring attraction of Lahinch to its members and visiting golfers. The 1946 South of Ireland Championship Final between John Burke and Joe Carr was perhaps the most famous “South” final. It ended with Burke winning on the 39th green. It was his eleventh and final “South” success.