Nicholson early 20th

[martin mosley]

I have a family story that my GG Grandfather NICHOLSON left Derbyshire in England around the beginning of the 20th century in order to design golf courses in Ireland.

I have no idea where to start looking for him.

Does any kind lister have any suggestions?

Best regards
Martin
www.mosleyfamilies.net

[aghadowey]

Try using a search engine like Google and put in things like 'Irish golf Nicholson' 'history of Irish gold courses?' 'Nicholson Ireland golf' etc. Also try looking at Irish Golf Course websites and see if there's any clues.

[Christopher]

Hello Martin,

You asked me about John Nicholson in the Chat Room some considerable time ago.

Have you tried the Golfing Union of Ireland, National Headquarters, Carton Demesne, Maynooth. County Kildare www.gui.ie

A message to a Golf journalist like Jack Magowan of the Belfast Telegraph might produce a result ... if he can't assist he might come up with some useful suggestions www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/contact

Christopher

[martin mosley]

Many thanks Christopher,

I shall follow those suggestions, and post the results.

It is probable that he was a simple gardener or a green keeper, and it is a long shot that he will be recorded anywhere. But it is certainly worth pursuing.

Thanks once again.

Martin

[Christopher]

Hello Martin,

This site may assist you. It contains most, if not all, of the golf courses in Ireland and in some instances gives the history of clubs and in other instances gives the history as well as contining lists of competition winners. www.fairway.ie I haven't checked it to see if it mentions any course designers.

Christopher

[Christopher]

Hi Martin,

I wonder if your gg Grandfather had any connections with Harry Colt. Harry was one of the leading golf course designers at the end of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century. As his reputation grew he was asked to visit many parts of the world but usually sent associates to act on his behalf.  His main associates were John Morrison, Charles Hugh Alison OBE and Dr Alister MacKenzie but other designers may have been involved as these guys were involved with work on three hundred courses. Among the Irish courses they designed were a course in Co. Sligo; Knock Golf Club, Belfast; Royal Belfast at Craigavad, Co. Down  and Royal Portrush, Co. Antrim. www.coltassociation.co.uk/index.php

Christopher

[martin mosley]

Thank you again Christopher, and somehow I missed your previous suggestion also.

When I get in from the golf course here in France tomorrow, I'll follow those ideas up and see if I can find anything. It's grabbing at straws though.. I don't know where in Ireland, and I suspect he was a simple gardener of green keeper, therefore not likely to have been noted in surviving records.

However, nothing tried, nothing gained...

Cheers
Martin