The Teachers’ Golfing Society was set up in the Teachers’ Club in May 1924. This is their Centenary year, and this is a brief history of the society. A group of 24 members, ladies and gentlemen were enrolled in 1924 and immediately set off on their well organised outings. The ladies left the Society in 1930 but were welcomed back in 2007 adding new life and energy to the group.
Transport to the various golf courses in the early days was a problem. Bus and train were the main vehicles.
Starting times for golf games were governed by the rail and bus timetable. Those early Outings seemed exciting with lunch, tea and a singsong backing up the golf game.
Like everyone else, their ordinary lives were affected by the political and financial upheavals at home and abroad, such as The Wall St. crash 1929, The Economic War between Britain and Ireland and a 10% cut in Teachers’ salaries in 1933. Pay was poor enough before the cut, starting from about £145 per annum for women and single men up to about £350 for married men. Also, a marriage ban in 1932 required female primary school teachers to resign on marriage.
Despite these setbacks our brave golfers battled on through World War 2 and only 1943 has no record of golf activity. 1946 was also void because of the Teachers’ Strike.
Life eased a little in the ’50’s and ’60’s and with private transport on the increase the golfers were able to play in places as far away as Tullamore or Ballinter Park (now Royal Tara).
An annual Christmas Dinner was held at the Howth Outing on the 1st of November. This practice started in 1938 and continued for over 50 years.
The Golden Jubilee 1974 was the greatest of these. The 100 guests mingled with Dick Burke, Minister for Ed., Padraig Breathnach Sec. Dept. Ed., Jackie Brosnahan, (I.N.T.O.), Pres. Gillie Greene (Father of the Society) and others too numerous to mention.
The traditional local outings continued with golf trips to Spain, Portugal, Morocco and U.S.A. adding an extra dimension. Who in 1924 would have thought of flying to America to play golf? Our next century will end 2124. Maybe we will have an outing to Mars!
As this is our Centenary Year, Captain Sean Smyth wants especially to invite retired members to rejoin the society and to take part in and to enjoy all the centenary celebrations that are planned for the year.
We would also welcome new members to join us in this centenary year. Prospective new and returning members are asked to contact the Secretary by email at teachersgolfingsociety@gmail.com or by text to 087 936 7521.
Dublin South RTA 