Coordinates: 54°38′38″N 5°55′52″W / 54.644°N 5.931°W / 54.644; -5.931 Fortwilliam Golf Club is located on Downview Avenue in north Belfast. It consists of an 18-hole course with a par of 70. The course is bordered by Cavehill on one side and Belfast Lough on the other.
The club was formed in 1891 and is the oldest golf club in Belfast. The course was originally located about a mile from its current location, but as a result of Belfast's expansion, the club moved to a new site and established a 9-hole course. The course was expanded to 18 holes in 1923 when a deal was made with Sir Harold Gray to secure the land to the north side of Gray's Lane, resulting in nine holes on each side of the lane. The holes on the north side, however, were found to be too cramped and in 1904, C.W. (Charlie Pope), the club's professional, redesigned the course with 11 holes on the south side and 7 on the north side> This is essentially the course that is played today.
Famous quotes containing the words golf and/or club:
“If there is any larceny in a man, golf will bring it out.”
—Paul Gallico (1897–1976)
“Of course we women gossip on occasion. But our appetite for it is not as avid as a man’s. It is in the boys’ gyms, the college fraternity houses, the club locker rooms, the paneled offices of business that gossip reaches its luxuriant flower.”
—Phyllis McGinley (1905–1978)