The ninth Duke of Manchester, brought Mr. John Stone, an eminent Scottish
professional from Sandy Lodge Golf Club on London, to lay out a private
course on his estate in Tandragee. In those days, there was no clubhouse
and Mr. Stone, his wife and their two daughters collected fees at
the Gate Lodge where they had set up residence. The Duchess of Manchester,
who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A., even designed some of the
original bunkers which  were
laid out in the shape of the Great Lakes and these remain to this
day.
The club became affiliated to the Golfing Union of Ireland.
Membership broke through the '100' barrier for the first time.
Green fees were set at "two shillings per day with no reduction
for visitors staying with members overnight". The Council decided
to procure a cup for a ladies open competition to be called 'The
Manchester Cup'. This competition is now one of the most popular
ladies competitions held in Northern Ireland. At this time, the
men had three competitions and there also was an annual caddies
competition where the first prize for the caddies was 10 shillings
(80 cents). There was regular problems supervising caddies and a
rule was introduced that "any caddies under 14 who absent themselves
from school for the purpose of caddying will be expelled from the
club".
The Club appointed its first auditor as there had been a large increase
in members (185) and associated income.
At the invitation of Council, Dr. Evans from the Board of Greenkeeping
Research produced a report on the greens and the club decided to
accept his recommendations to purchase a tractor for £159
($230) and triple gang mower for £138 ($200).
At the A.G.M. membership stood at 125 men, 77 ladies and 14 juveniles
- a total of 216. There were 675 visitors during the year paying
£64 ($93) in green fees and the balance in the bank was £48
($70) in debit.
The Council decided to allow Members of His Majesty's Forces free
use of the course during the war. It is alleged that some members
threatened to park their tanks on the greens if they were not permitted
to play on Sundays as the course was only open six days per week.
All Open fixtures were cancelled in this year because of the war
and petrol rationing.
The weekly wage of the Greenkeeper, Mr. J. Patterson, was increased
by 5 shillings (35 cents) and he was given permission to go to nearby
Portadown for six days on a Home Guard Training Course.
The club received a notice to quit from the Duke of Manchester's
Estate to take effect on 12th November 1949. After many meetings
and prolonged negotiations, the club agreed to a 10 year lease at
a rent of £100 ($145 ) for the first year and £150 ($220)
for the following 9 years.
1953 - 1991
1991 - 2003
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