History
The Honourable John Browning pioneered the game of Golf in Newfoundland by founding at Buckmasters field, St. John's in 1896, a nine hole golf course known as the Newfoundland Golf Club. The
first organizers and directors were: Messrs. Hon. John Browning, W.A. Reid, W.R. Hutchinson, William McKinnon, R.R. Job, L.C. Outerbridge, E.A. Browning, E.L. Hickman, H.W. Alderdice, and G.A.
Winter. Hon. John Browning became its first President and held that office until 1908. The original nine hole Buckmasters course had limited area for expansion and in 1908, with the growing
popularity of the game, Hon. John Browning became the motivating force in inducing the Executive of the original Buckmasters Club to negotiate with the trustees of the estate of the British Garrison,
for the purchase of property which Bally Haly Golf and Curling Club now occupies. The land chosen had once belonged to a man of Irish decent who served in the British Army, Lieutenant Colonel William
Haly who was president of the Council of Newfoundland and had passed away here in 1835.
Colonel Haly was a "gentleman farmer" and after his death the property became a summer
retreat for people who wanted to get out into the country for a while. Guests actually boarded at the estate.
Some time later, in the 1890's, the property was managed by a
magistrate who called himself Haly Hutton. He also had a military background and "mocked up" Bally Haly as a military establishment, installing firing trenches in order to repel any restless breed
which might approach it. This military camp was displayed with some pride as tours were conducted showing off a knowledge of military strategy and tactics. The only thing is, the guns wer made of
wood.
At one point apparently, these same people had crowds going round and round on Signal Hill to give the French the idea St. John's was much more heavily fortified than it
actually was at that particular period.
Bally Haly Fort had no enemies and never saw action, that is until the purchase of the property was consummated on November 17, 1908, and
an invasion of golfers began.
The Hon. John Browning became Bally Haly's (the new company's) first President in 1908.
"Bally" is derived from the Gaelic
countries and means settlement of place. In brief, the name simply means "The Haly Place".
The new company was an eighteen hole course and the property was approximately two
hundred acres in area. However, later a considerable portion of this land was purchased by the federal government for the building of Fort Pepperell.
With the new course,
membership grew to 350.
In December of 1936 the clubhouse was destroyed by fire. Following this the company went into voluntary liquidation and was reorganized. A new clubhouse
was built and officially opened in May of 1937 in time for the golf season.
The company operated only during the summer season because its major sports at the time were golf
and tennis.
In 1957 the clubhouse was again destroyed by fire. Again because of the growing demand and enthusiasm for the game of golf a new one was built. Since 1957 curling
facilities have been added, thus creating a year round club, and today membership for all categories amounts to approximately 1200.
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