1950 – 1984
This era saw the arrival of Brud Slattery to the administration of the Club. He was Honorary Secretary/Secretary Manager at Lahinch from 1954 to 1984. He presided over enormous changes at the Club including the construction of the 1st 9 holes on the Castle Course and major renovations on the clubhouse.
There was huge growth in the number of visitors coming to play Lahinch, in particular overseas visitors.
The Club crest embracing the thistle and the goat was approved by the Committee in the early 1950’s. The thistle represented the Scottish element in the founding of the Club and the goat symbolised the weather. The barometer at the Club was not functioning properly and a sign over the barometer simply said; “See Goats”. When the weather was wet and the forecast poor, the goats were usually seen hovering around the clubhouse – in fine weather they made their way out to the far regions of the golf links.
John D. Harris, a renowned golf architect developed the plans for a new Castle Course in 1961. In his report to the Committee he stated; “the 9 hole course was constructed in 1963. After a lull of thirty five years, golf was back on the Corcass”. It was extended to an 18 hole golf links course in 1975.
On the playing front, Lahinch Golf Club achieved some notable victories during this period. The Club won the All-Ireland Barton Shield in 1947 and 1955 and won the Irish Senior Cup in 1959 with Brud Slattery, Secretary/Manager, a key member of the three winning teams. During that period Paddy Leyden won four South of Ireland Championships and represented Ireland on several occasions. Lahinch Golf Club won the All-Ireland Junior Cup in 1961 and 1963. Brian O’Brien won six Boys’ Championships in the early 1960’s before turning Professional. John D Smyth won the South of Ireland Championship in 1968 – the last local player to win the “South”.
Lahinch hosted the Irish Professional Championship in 1961, where Christy O’Connor Senior won following rounds of 67 and 68 on the first day. In 1975 Lahinch hosted the Carroll’s Irish Match Play Championship and his nephew, Christy O’Connor Junior, defeated Peter Townsend by 3/2 in the final.
Dr. Patrick Hillery served as Captain, President and Trustee of the Club. He served as President of Ireland from 1976 to 1990.