When the Foxrock clubhouse was almost gutted by fire in 1927, the club's insurers paid out £3,232 on the building itself and £976-4s-3d on furniture. Without a fire, the cost of the latest refurbishment and extension will be in excess of £600,000. Work will be completed in time for the staging of the annual Hibernian Scotch Foursomes tournament, which takes place from Sunday May 14th to Friday May 19th. Last year's winners, Harry McKeon and Pat O'Regan, will be attempting to go where no pair have gone before - by retaining the trophy.
In the club's history, written and researched by David Bowles, Carmel Callaghan and Tony Cauldwell for the centenary in 1993, it is reported that "the bar moved up and down in the building before it settled (finally?) at ground level". The question-mark after "finally" was quite appropriate, given that it has now moved again.
As part of the work begun last November, the bar has been relocated upstairs in the old snooker room; a charming "Gallery" has been built over an old veranda, accommodating an overflow from the bar and dining-room at either end. "The work more or less copperfastens our intention to stay on this site," said vice-captain Tom Dunphy at the weekend, when details of the Scotch Foursomes were announced.
The Gallery is a most attractive structure, dominated by timber and glass and offering a fine view of the course. The new bar is also certain to be a splendid amenity, given that it is extended in length to take in the full depth of the building.
Competitors in the Scotch Foursomes will find a course in fine condition overall but with fairways of quite remarkable quality. And they will experience bunkers which have been upgraded as a cost of £25,000.
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