Prestigious golf club set to relocate members to new course

It’s been 25 years in the making, but one of the most storied golf clubs in Northern Ireland is finally set to relocate to a brand new venue. 

The cash-strapped Balmoral Golf Club in Belfast has sought out various rescue options in recent months to avoid financial freefall.

And at a recent EGM, club members overwhelmingly endorsed the council’s proposal to sell the land to the Merrion Property Group, providing a new state-of-the-art course is built on a new site.

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The idea for Balmoral members to move from its city location on Lisburn Road out to the countryside has been mooted for around a quarter of a century, but this deal will finally secure the club’s long-term future and save it from looming administration.

The club, which was the longtime home of legendary former Open champion Fred Daly, will move for the first time in its history to a new venue around three miles away in south Belfast.

Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley will design the new 18-hole Championship course at New Grove Estate in and is hoping for minimal disruption for Balmoral members.

“Balmoral is not unique; all golf clubs in urban areas are facing the same issues and not just in this city,” McGinley said after meeting members to discuss plans for his new design.

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“There are issues in urban areas with golf balls leaving the property, and that throws up safety issues. The issues are becoming bigger, rules are stronger, holes have to be made shorter with tee boxes taken out of play.

“A lot of these courses are moving location and this is a great opportunity at the right time for Balmoral. It is moving just three-and-a-half miles away and I want to make it a win-win for everybody. The members are willing to take on this new opportunity and my job is to facilitate that.”

Balmoral vice-captain Bernie McNally shared McGinley’s optimism about the move.

“I think now we’re absolutely ready to move because it’s all about long term sustainability for the club,” McNally told UTV. “It’s about making sure we have a good strong membership, it’s about making sure we have a history and bring that history with us, but most important it’s about the future.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.