The History of Balcarrick Golf Club
"From a group of determined ‘Homeless Golfers’ to a thriving award winning 18-hole course, Balcarrick Golf Club stands as a testament to vision, perseverance, and a love for the game."
Where it all began – The Homeless Golfers
In 1968, a group of passionate golfers, known as the “Homeless Golfers,” convened at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Dublin. Their mission was to make golf more accessible to the public. This initiative laid the foundation for what would become a significant golfing community.
Balcarrick Golf Club wishes to recognise the contribution to golf made by our founding fathers, Malachy Nulty, Larry Courtney, Anthony Hyland, Pat Ruddy, Jack Nulty, Tommy Dent and Peter Dunne. We would also like to thank Jack Collins and the Collins family for their contribution to the club.
“Balcarrick Golf Club stands today as a thriving golfing community thanks to the vision, dedication, and passion of its founding members.”
Formation of Dublin & County Golf Club (1972–1992)
In 1972, Dublin County Council opened a public golf course in Corballis, Donabate. Seizing this opportunity, the Homeless Golfers founded the Dublin & County Golf Club. Notably, it became the first golf club in Ireland to gain affiliation with the Golfing Union of Ireland without owning its own course. The club acquired land adjacent to the council’s pavilion and constructed its own clubhouse, marking a significant milestone in its development.
Transition to Balcarrick Golf Club (1992–Present)
Establishment of a Permanent Home
As the club’s membership grew, the demand for playing time at the public course became challenging. In response, Jack Collins, a member and local landowner, offered land for a new course. With additional land from the Smith family, the club decided to build its own facility.
Renaming and Expansion
In 1992, the club was renamed Balcarrick Golf Club to reflect its new identity and location. A new ninehole course was inaugurated, and in the same year, the club adopted a new constitution that granted full membership to women and transitioned from a trust to a limited company structure. By 1995, under the guidance of course designer Barry Langan, the course was expanded to 18 holes. The clubhouse facility was opened in 1997, providing enhanced amenities for members and vistitors, and finally providing a home for the once “Homeless Golfers”.
Ownership and Development
In 1999, members approved the purchase of the 50 acres required for the second nine holes, which had been leased since 1992. This acquisition was financed through a one-time levy of £250 per member.
Recognizing the need for modernization, the club embarked on a transformative €1.5 million redevelopment of the golf course in 2006, led by renowned golf course architect, Roger Jones. The comprehensive redesign completed by Dar Golf Construction Ltd, enhanced the courses strategic layout while maintaining its accessibility to golfers of all levels. The redesigned course was officially opened on 28 June 2008.
A Bold Transformation for Exceptional Golfing
Balcarrick Golf Club underwent a comprehensive redesign and redevelopment that transformed the course into a modern golfing destination. Led by acclaimed architect Roger Jones, the works included reshaping fairways for strategic play, repositioning bunkers to challenge skill and precision, enhancing drainage and irrigation systems for optimal course conditions, and creating new tees and greens that blend seamlessly with the natural landscape. Every element was carefully crafted to improve playability for golfers of all levels while elevating the overall aesthetic and championship standard of the course. The result is a course that balances challenge, beauty, and enjoyment at every hole—truly a landmark in Irish parkland golf.
This ambitious project garnered international acclaim, earning Balcarrick Golf Club a finalist position in Golf Inc.’s 2008 Renovation of the Year competition, distinguishing it as one of only five global finalists recognized for excellence in course renovation.