Chapter name:GOLDEN JUBILEE

That famous victory, however, did nothing to attract new members.
The ensuing years saw a falling off in membership with a consequent drop in subscriptions. See graph. By the late fifties the Club was deemed to be in deep financial difficulties.
But even in the depression of that time the Club paused to celebrate its Golden Jubilee -its first major milestone on its march through the century. This, its fiftieth anniversary, was held in 1959 and was marked by a Golden Jubilee week with seven special competitions drawing a total entry of 430 from neighbouring and far off clubs.
At the presentation of prizes on the final Sunday night many tributes were paid and compliments returned by Club members and visitors alike. Dr. J. C. Canning, J. J. O'Sullivan and Chris Clerkin, Vice Captain at the Heath Golf Club, joined in the salutes.Dr. Tim Kirby said the greatest credit was due to the Secretary, President, Captain and Vice-Captain for their efforts to ensure the Jubilee Week's undoubted success.
He said, "In the past the Club has had some great presidents, captains and secretaries, who in their own way, did what they could to further the interest of the Club. He had been strongly reminded of that one night previously when he inspected the strongly-built Club tables on which was
written the name, John Hope. He was a former captain of the Club who supplied the tables many years ago. They had been constructed by hand at the late Bob Russell's factory at Portarlington, and it was fitting that they should be reminded that Bob Russell had been a great CJub President. It is nice to remember the good men we had in the past and who made great efforts to do as much as our own officers are doing to-day".
Golfers who took part in the competitions from Monday to Sunday were from The Heath, Tullamore, Edenderry, Dundalk, Island, Carlow, Athy as well as the home club.
RESULTS: Monday, May 25th: 18 holes mens singles Stableford. Winner: Jack Bates (9) 41 pts. (Tullamore).
Runner-up: Chris Clerkin 40 pts. (The Heath).
Tuesday, 26th: 18 holes Scotch Foursomes -Ladies
Winner: Miss O. Aldritt & Miss Breda O'Sullivan, The Heath, 611/2 pts. Runners-up: Mrs. Delaney & Miss P. Murtagh, The Heath 62 pts.
Wednesday 27th: 18 holes mens Scotch Foursomes:
Winner: M. Landers (16) & J. O'Meara (19) Edenderry 601/2 pts. Runners-up: C. Clerkin (11) & J. J. O'Connor (11) The Heath 62 pts.
Thursday 28th: T. J. Kirby (8) & Mrs. Kirby (25) Portarlington 641/2 pts. Runners-up: R.H.H. Russell (10) and Mrs. P. Cotton (20) 65 pts.
Friday 29th: 18 holes mens Fourball
Winners: P. Brady (8) & J. O'Connor (18) 9 up.
Runners-up: H. Deary (13) & T. Hansom (16) 6 up on last 6.
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Sunday Morning: 18 holes men Stroke Winner: Rev. Fr. J. Hayden (20) 62. Runner-up: P. J. Conlon (14) 63.
Best Gross: S. Byrne (8) 74.
Sunday Afternoon: Mixed Foursomes -P. Dempsey (16) & Miss O.Aldritt (3) 58.
Runners-up: G. O'Sullivan & Miss P. O'Sullivan 64.
Best Gross: S. Byrne & Mrs. Wilson 83.