Athboy Pitch and Putt Club

HISTORY

In the lovely summer days of 1952 a number of youths from the Athboy area could be seem hitting golf balls on the local Fair Green, thanks to Jimmy and Bennie McDonald of St James’ Terrace, who had purchased a set of clubs at an auction.

However an incident one evening, which turned out to be historical, led to the setting up of the first Pitch & Putt club in Co. Meath. A local youth, Seamus Doyle, having his first attempt at hitting a golf ball made perfect contact and the ball sailed over the boundary wall and into Coleman’s front room via the window.  Hence the setting up of a club which at the start was called “Green Park Golf Club”

The first committee comprised the following:-

Chairman Michael Coleman; Vice-Chair Patsy Mahon;  Secretary  Jimmy McDonald; Assistant Secretary Thomas Sherrock;  Joint Treasurers Frank Holland & Owen Murtagh; Captain Benny McDonald; Committee:-  Seamus Sheerin, Seamus Doyle, Sean Smith, Seamus Graham, Paddy Reilly, Pat Hesnan, Oliver Hopkins.

When the committee discovered that there was a number of similar clubs in Louth, Dublin & Kildare the name was changed to “Athboy Pitch & Putt Club” and they affiliated to           “The National Pitch & putt Association of Ireland”. The club was very successful and continued on the Green for many years. The Athboy club was very competitive and participated in open competition all over Leinster, and in turn large numbers supported events over the Athboy course.

By 1956 clubs had started in Trim and Ballivor and the Meath County Board was set up. Athboy’s Michael Coleman was the first Chairman of the County Board and Frank Holland its first Secretary. The latter held that position for the following ten years. The county now holds a proud place in the Irish Pitch & Putt scene.

In 1982 thanks to the driving force of Dan Prendergast and a group of enthusiastic helpers Athboy Pitch & Putt Club was revived at its current home on the property of Tony & Greta Farrell at the “Bawn Inn Higginstown”