Early in World War Two years, the banks of the Dodder was a popular site for summer campers and the lower area of what is now Glenville was no exception. The removal of gravel and sand from the sand pits along the river had left an agreeable camping site much frequented by inner city dwellers. In fact the small field where the 6th, 8th, 9th, and 10th holes now are was known as the "Campers" field, while more permanent huts, etc. were sited over the hedge bordering the present 5th fairway. For their own amusement they built a large putting green in the camper's field, where much enjoyment was had during the summer months.
By this time many locals had joined in the fun. However some wanted something more exciting so "Scrapper" Kelly and "Knocky" Hughes - everybody had a nickname in those days - made a hole in the hedge which then fronted the 3rd tee box and the first Pitch and Putt hole was made beside the cart track on the far side of the road. While putters were plentiful, pitching clubs were scarce - in fact they had just one! This had to be left on the tee for the next player to use. From this, the course evolved into a nine hole Pitch and Putt course using the three lower fields.
The first clubhouse was actually in one of the permanent holiday huts. Later they moved to more commodious quarters in Tom Hoare's tram. A prominent Rathfarnham publican started bringing up beer on Sunday mornings and a great time was had by all until golf widows and local publicans started complaining about spoilt dinners and lost profits, and the practice had to stop. The course soon evolved to an 18 hole course incorporating the top fields with the move to the old Byrne dance hall as club house.
The club came of age in 1948 when the first inter-club challenge took place between Glenville and Glenanne. This later became an annual event played on 15th August. It was set up by Jimmy Maher and Jim Vaughan (who later became Sec. of P.P.U.I.) and shortly afterwards Glenville, Glenanne, Alpha (now Shandon) and C.Y.M.S. Fairview came together to form the first Dublin County Board and the birth of the Dublin Leagues. Annual outings took place each year to Seapoint and involved Gents, Ladies, and Juveniles. The visitors stayed in members houses and the arrangement was reciprocated for the return visit to Glenville. The first Boy’s Match took place in Morans' Hotel in 1954. The first Open held was for the Urney Cup in 1955.
The club began to expand and many people from the surrounding district began to play. The A.G.M. was held in the Clubhouse but in later years moved to the Fox's Covert. Kevin Molloy, the owner, was a great friend of the Club, and the Martin Molloy cup (in memory of his father) was awarded to the Club Match Play Champion.
Times were changing and it was felt that the Club should change with them. In 1969 the first move was made to relocate the Clubhouse with a "temporary" structure - still standing today! – which was funded by a "Bonds" issue. A planning application was lodged and thanks to the invaluable help of Des Flanagan, permission was granted. Our new Clubhouse, outdoor toilets, pathways and machinery storage were built for approx. £2500. Bobby Molloy, then Minister for Local Government, did the honours by officially opening it and Fr. Hynes (Dominican Prior) did the blessing.
Ever anxious to press ahead, new members were invited to join. It was then decided to look for club Registration to operate a bar. At an enthusiastic E.G.M. it was decided to press ahead and on a virtual shoestring our first bar was opened in 1980, in what is now our Games Room. Jim Byrne, our landlord and one of the best friends a club could ever have bought the first pint for Liam Coffey and it cost 67p. I don't know if Coffey bought back! The bar provided a steady source of income and enabled the club to buy much needed equipment to care for the course. But as time passed it became too small and it was decided to build a new lounge to cater for our needs. Thanks to the financial wizardry of Eddie Irwin funds became available and so it was decided to press ahead, and so our present lounge came into being.
1984 saw the club host our first Gents National Matchplay Finals in which we had our present PRO Tony Slaughter taking part. The final was a thrilling match contested by the ‘83 champion John O'Leary of Dunlops and Tony McCormack of Irish Ropes, with Tony McCormack the eventual winner. During '84 our new lounge was well under way and was completed and opened on St. Patrick's weekend of '85. It has proved to be a very valuable addition to Glenville over the years.
In the mid '80s Glenville also purchased 35 acres of land in Ballymana (a mile up the road from Glenville) and developed it into a par 3 course. Further development has taken place on the par 3 over the years with the improvement of the course and the installation of a water system and changing rooms.
Glenville hosted the Ladies and Gents National Mathplay Finals in '94 (the first time they took place together) and by all accounts it was a great success, with Ger Ward (Portmarnock) taking the Ladies title and our own Derek Courtney (then with Shandon) taking the Gents title.
In '97 Glenville hosted the Quadrangular International between Ireland, England, Australia and Canada, a very memorable weekend was had by all, and again Derek Courtney was very much to the fore on the successful Irish Team.
Glenville hosted the Special Olympics in 2003 which saw the development of our new club house building. This was overseen by Chairman Bertie Byrne, Tom Collins (V. Chairman), Peter Byrne (Secretary), the late Ciaran Kelly (Treasurer) and their committee and this has proved a tremendous success. 2003 also saw Glenville receive grant aid from the government and the county council for the first time ever.
2008 sees us celebrate our 60th anniversary and we would like to wish all our members a very successful year.
Roll on the next 60.
