News:

Welcome to the Golf Club Atlas Discussion Group!

Each user is approved by the Golf Club Atlas editorial staff. For any new inquiries, please contact us.


Paul_Turner

Simpson,Gourlay and Ballybunion
« on: October 19, 2002, 11:13:03 AM »
There was a recent discussion on Tom Simpson's involvement at Ballybunion.  The following scanned excerpt should shed some light, although I wish it was a bit more detailed with actual description of alterations.

The book is the 1993 club history and is written by John Redmond, you can buy a second hand copy at:

http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookSearchPL?an=&tn=&ph=2&sn=ballybunion%2Bgolf&imageField.y=8&imageField.x=43&ccreate=Y











Remember, the current 6th was the old 1st.

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:10 PM by -1 »

Greg Ramsay

Re: Simpson,Gourlay and Ballybunion
« Reply #1 on: October 19, 2002, 03:25:50 PM »
Paul, yet again you have entertained and educated us with an absolute gem of a post.  I have always been a fan of Simpson since enjoying Co.Louth Baltray, and think that he was a very influential designer but is overlooked when people of today consider yesterday's greats.

Thankyou very much for your posts; whether enthralling photos, or thought provoking such as this one, i always look forward to your next instalment.

Greg Ramsay
www.barnbougledunes.com
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Tommy_Naccarato

Re: Simpson,Gourlay and Ballybunion
« Reply #2 on: October 19, 2002, 04:12:21 PM »
Tom Simpson was very fast in becoming another one my "Great Dead Heroes."

In the opening preface of Architectural Side of Golf he or H. N. Wethered speak of a certain lady who had redesigned some certain holes for a undisclosed private club, and how they really would improve the course. I now think I know who that lady was--Molly Gourlay.

Is this proof that Great Golf Course Architecture is with-in the realm of anyone that has the passion, knowledge and want to do so?

Just some really phenominal stuff, and a it is ashame that I didn't have the knowledge of who she was before she died. I would have enjoyed the opportunity of trying to meet her.

However, I doubt Tom Simpson would have given me the time of day before he died. I was only 3 years old. We all can't be perfect.....
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Tom MacWood (Guest)

Re: Simpson,Gourlay and Ballybunion
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2002, 04:38:58 PM »
Greg
I'm with you. If this site had a most valuable poster it has to be Paul Turner. Thanks again, Paul.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Mark_Huxford

Re:Simpson,Gourlay and Ballybunion
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2003, 05:26:37 PM »
Tom, Paul, Tommy,
This chap I know from my club recently showed me some clippings from golf in England during the 1930s that he had in a shoe box. In one of them I noticed he beat Molly Gourlay in a Cambridge v British ladies match at Ashridge Park. I said she had something to do with Tom Simpson and he asked me if I could find out where she is in this picture. The caption refers to the playing order only so if anyone could tell me I would appreciate it.

Also, Tommy, the chap wearing the glasses is Patric Dickinsen, the author of that book with the amusing sketches in it. My friend Mr Ewen (behind the right ear of the guy with the cap under his arm) said Dickinsen was always his foursomes partner. Apparently he was a better writer than a golfer and Ian switched partners before the match at Hoylake against Oxford.



Tommy_Naccarato

Re:Simpson,Gourlay and Ballybunion
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2003, 06:12:34 PM »
Mark,
I'll check it out to see if I have some old pics of Gourlay.

Paul_Turner

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Simpson,Gourlay and Ballybunion
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2003, 06:21:17 PM »
Reading this thread makes me nostalgic: my old GCA handle that was somehow corrupted and demoted to "guest" status.

As for BB, anyone ever been inside the original clubhouse (the green building) by the 5th?  I haven't...just curious.  I remember the "2nd" clubhouse quite fondly.

can't get to heaven with a three chord song

Tommy_Naccarato

Re:Simpson,Gourlay and Ballybunion
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2003, 12:16:42 AM »


Joyce Wethred is the only gal on the top left. Molly Gourlay is just below her to her left, 2nd row, 2nd gal from the left.



This is from the inaugral Curtis Cup in 1931. I apologize for the mis-spelling of Joyce Wethered. I'm too lazy to go back and change it! :)

nregan also sent me this, the detail is a bit to blurred, but you can still see her pretty good.


« Last Edit: November 12, 2003, 12:21:46 AM by Tommy_Naccarato »

Mark_Huxford

Re:Simpson,Gourlay and Ballybunion
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2003, 03:09:55 AM »
Thanks Tommy. Will pass this along.

ForkaB

Re:Simpson,Gourlay and Ballybunion
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2003, 03:13:51 AM »
Paul

The pictures in your initial post won't reveal themselves to me.  Any suggestions?

Greg

Re: your mention of Co. Louth, it has just been selected as home for the Irish Open next year.

Mark_Rowlinson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Simpson,Gourlay and Ballybunion
« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2003, 05:18:36 AM »
Wonderful thread.  I knew Patric Dickinson well.  He was poetry editor for the BBC and I made quite a few programmes with him in my BBC days.  His knowledge of poetry was phenomenal and he wrote the most beautiful scripts.  His daughter, Ginny, married a school friend of mine, so we still have a connection although Patric died in 1994.  His widow, Sheila, continued to live in their lovely old house in Rye until she died earlier this year.  When Patric was alive he used to host 'Putter Parties' for his old golfing chums when they came to Rye annually for the President's Putter.  Patric had long since given up golf - he got the yips and threw the clubs in the attic - but I remember writing to him to say how much I had enjoyed a day's golf at Royal Worlington.  He replied, nostalgically, informing me in the process that he had never been worse than 79 in the many dozens of rounds he had played there in his Cambridge days.  That put me in my place!

Paul_Turner

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Simpson,Gourlay and Ballybunion
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2003, 08:36:13 AM »
Rich

I took those images down ages ago.  If I can find them easily, then I'll repost.
can't get to heaven with a three chord song

ForkaB

Re:Simpson,Gourlay and Ballybunion
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2003, 08:41:07 AM »
Thanks, Paul

I should have looked at the dates more cloesly!