Course status

Course Open. Buggies are permitted on the course today.

Killiney's Best Golfer of the 20th Century - Rory M. Saunders.

Rory was born in 1906 and died in 1983.  He was a Solicitor by profession with the well known firm of Peebles Knox and Pigot of Kildare Street, Dublin.  He was the best and most successful player Killiney ever produced.

During his golfing career he was a member of Killiney, Dun Laoghaire, Milltown, Portmarnock and Lahinch Golf Clubs.   His highest handicap at the the height of his prowess was 1 in Killiney and lowest was +2 in Lahinch.

  • In 1929 he led Killiney when they won the Junior Cup both Leister Section and All Ireland Final.   He was unbeaten in all his matches.
  • In 1930 again he led Killiney to win the Leister section of the Junior Cup and was also unbeaten in all his matches.
  • In 1934 he won the South of Ireland championship and in 1935 he retained the title.
  • In 1938 he was runner-up in the South of Ireland.
  • In 1934 when winning the South he played Paul Murray in the final.   Paul was then a member of Milltown but some years later joined Killiney.
  • In 1929 together with Mrs Walker he reached the final of the Inaugural Irish Open Mixed Foursomes held at Milltown Golf Club.
  • In 1936 he reached the semi-final of the West of Ireland Championship held at Rosses Point.
  • In 1937 he won the Gold Medal as the leading amateur in the Irish Open held at Royal Dublin.

His son Tony is also a member of Killiney.   He played to single figures for many years.

Rory's brothers Diarmuid [The "Goo"] and Kevin [The "Bullet"] were also prominent members of Killiney.