The late Harry Brennan, as men's Captain, ushered in the second half century for the club in 1973. Membership began to increase slightly in the early 70s with the age profile of new members getting gradually lower. This influx of new and younger members augered well for the future of the club. The 70s and early 80s proved to be a glorious chapter in the Club's history, principally through the efforts and success at national level of our teenage golfers, both boys and girls.

In 1979, '80, and '83 our schoolboys team won the Connacht Schools Championships and advanced to the National Finals. They won the Kenny Cup in 1982 for boys under 18. In 1983 they won the Connacht final of the Aer Lingus youths and again advanced to the National Finals.

It is worth noting that all these young stars are still playing golf at a high level today. John Harnett has been, for the past few years, the Club Professional at Milltown Golf Club in Dublin. Gerry Ronane also qualified as a professional and commenced his career in Wexford Golf Club.

The Benson brothers - all single handicappers - are still bisecting the fairways both in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Noel, Don, Aidan and David were part of those teams in the 70s and 80s, and later on Paul and Eugene followed in the footsteps of big brothers.

In recent years Paul has been capped for Connacht as well as being a regular on the m
Mayo inter-counties team which has reached the finals of the Jonnie Walker sponsored national event, ably captained by Donal Benson, patriarch of the golfing dynasty. Pete Walsh (Junior), Eamonn Brady, Eddie Kelly and John Sheehan also contributed to the success of those great years.

Among the stories that will be told are retold for many a year will be John Sheehan taking an up-and-coming Dublin golfer to the 17th hole in the schools final in 1980. His opponent's name? Philip Walton, hero of the Ryder Cup in 1995. John still maintains that Philip got him on an off-day! (Dream on, John).

The girls, not to be outdone, also carried the flag in style during those years. Niamh O'Neill and Sinead O'Kelly ruled the roost in girls golf in Connacht for a few years. They also scaled the heights of national finals, winning in 1979 and 1980. Niamh, without doubt the finest female golfer the club has ever produced, was honoured by being selected for Ireland in 1979 and played in the Home Internationals over the famous Wentworth course, home of the World Professional Matchplay event. She is still playing golf to a high standard and in recent years has played at county level for Surrey where she now resides.

One of the main reasons for Swinford's success during those years was the support, encouragement, time and effort by many of the parents of our young stars.

Swinford Golf Club was a byword in national underage golf circles in those years and every player was a credit to the club, thereby ensuring that Swinford Golf Club was held in the highest esteem.

A lot of effort in the 70s and early 80s was applied in bringing about improvements to the course and clubhouse. In 1977, captain Charlie Quinn bought up plans to extend the original clubhouse, adding on ladies' and gent's washrooms.

In 1980 the first major addition to the clubhouse - an extensive new bar and lounge - was opened during the captaincy of Donal Benson and Mary O'Connor. The plan for the extension were the work of the then Vice-Captain, Luke O'Malley. During this decade we also brought about the relocation of livestock which had shared the fairways - and sometimes the greens - with us for many years.

With the end of sheep and cattle on the course, we were able to remove the wire fencing which had enclosed all nine greens. This brought about a major improvement in the overall appearance of the course. We were thus able to extend the greens and tees, and locate new bunkers at all nine holes.

In 1993 we said goodbye to the final portion of our original corrugated iron clubhouse with the opening of new locker rooms, foyer, office and toilets/showers by Captains Tony Spain and Josie Prendergast. Monsignor Sean Leonard, P.P., blessed the new extension and paid fulsome tribute to the dedication and efforts of the members of Swinford Golf Club who now had a clubhouse that compared with the best.

Year 2002 under the leadership of incoming Chairman and Captain Kevin Quinn we saw the commencement of a ten year plan to upgrade the course. Two new greens, four new tee boxes and several new bunkers have been constructed by European Golf Services.

While all course and clubhouse developments were taking place, activity on the course continued apace. Our teams played in all the G.U.I. golfing competitions and the ladies also turned in great performances in the I.L.U.G. competitions.

Among our successes were the Men's County Cup-winners in 1963, 1991 and 1993; 2002; Connacht Shield-winners in 1953; Ladies' County Cup-winners in 1987; Connacht junior foursomes-runnerup, 1986; Connacht Shield runners-up, 1995.

Our victorious County Cup teams of 1991 and '93 were captained by Tom Keane and Donal Benson whose vast experience and astute selections bore fruit on both occasions. They had a perfect blend of youth and experience in action and this proved very successful.

Our ladies, too, flew the flag in style over the years, and although not too often reaching the winners enclosure, they played on every occasion with style and grace, thereby enhancing the club's reputation on the circuit. Over the home course in 1987 they proved victorious in the County Cup with Mary Smyth, Lady Captain, urging them on throughout the day. Sinead O'Kelly made it a local double by winning the individual prize for the best score.

Our junior foursomes team of 1986 lost by the odd match in three to Loughrea in the final. Sadly two members of that side, Owen Roe O'Neill and Eamonn McAndrew, passed away within a few weeks of each other in 1996.

Another long-standing and probably the most frequent player on the course for many years, Dr. Joe Cullen, also died in 1996. Another lamented passing in recent years was Harry Brennan who, not only an excellent golfer, but provided musical entertainment on many a joyous occasion in the Clubhouse. As one who played many a round with all four, I can say that a more sporting, entertaining and enjoyable quartet would be difficult to find. May they rest in peace.

Although only a 9 holes course, we have produced golfers who have scaled the heights at representative level. Barney O'Beirne reached the West of Ireland final in the early 60s only to lose to the great Joe Carr of Sutton. Barney was subsequently capped for Connacht.

n 1995 another Swinford man reached the same stage - Sean Horkan, who plays at Walton Heath in England losing to another Walker Cup player, Garth McGimpsey. Sean has since been honoured by being elected an honorary life member.

Another player who advanced to the later stages of the West of Ireland was Seamus McHugh who reached the last eight in the 1950s.

Paul Benson was the next to qualify for the matchplay stages of the West - a feat he also achieved in the annual South of Ireland event played in Lahinch. One handicapper, Paul has a formidable record at schoolboy and youth level - his wins include the Connacht Close under 16 in 1981 and under 18 in 1982; reached the final of the Munster Boys Championship in 1984 where he lost on the 18th; 4th in the Leinster boys in 1981; 6th in the Irish Boys in 1983; reached the last 16 in the South of Ireland in 1993 in Lahinch. All his efforts were crowned with selection for the Connacht senior team in 1996.

Among the present membership, the names Kennedy, Geraghty, Duffy, Loftus, Rooney and Thornburg are showing great promise.

The club is fortunate that it has a substantial junior membership and no doubt we will have future captains - as well as good golfers - among their ranks.

No history of any Golf Club would be complete without recording the thanks of all members to those who have maintained our course to such a high standard over the years. During many summers the late Matt Groarke tended to the greens with a loving and dedicated approach. A most loyal, dedicated and vastly experienced greenkeeper, Matt devoted years of his skill in ensuring that Swinford had a golf course to compare with the best. He was, on his retirement, fittingly and most deservedly elected an honorary life member. Sadly, Matt is no longer with us to celebrate our 75th year - he passed away unexpectedly a few short years ago.

Our present greenkeeper, Michael Farrelly, has carried on Matt's proud standard and tradition. With larger greens, tees and bunkers now a feature of our course, Michael has further enhanced the reputation which our course enjoys far and wide. Many visiting golfers - literally from all over the world - have sung the praises of our picturesque yet challenging track and have commented most favourably on the manner in which it is maintained. We can count ourselves fortunate in acquiring the services of two first-class and dedicated greenkeepers. In recent years we have also benefited from the efforts of those employed on FAS schemes. Many valuable improvements have been brought about by the members of these teams and our gratitude is extended to all who played a part in arranging these projects.

Looking further down the road - and a little further to our centenary year in 2022 - it is the wish of all members that Swinford Golf club will continue to be a venue where the game of golf is played - and more important - enjoyed. Many look upon golf as a competitive sport, others as a means of exercise and recreational enjoyment with our fellow members and friends.

Whatever our reason for playing this ancient and noble game, we ask of all those playing our course to treat it with the respect it deserves. The cost of maintaining golf courses continues to rise each year and it is thereby imperative that we all look upon it with pride and care.