The Beginning
Fortwilliam Golf Club was founded on Friday, 16th October 1891, by eleven gentlemen from the Antrim Road area who met at No. 1 Custom House Square in Belfast. The original course was located between Fortwilliam Park and Parkmount. However, play was restricted to the winter months (November to March) because the land was needed for grazing and hay during spring and summer. A Ladies’ branch was established at the outset, though ladies were not allowed to play after 1 p.m. on Saturdays.


Relocation to the Current Site
As Belfast expanded, the land used by the club became increasingly needed for development. In 1897, the club began searching for a new location, and in 1903, they secured the current site. The first General Meeting on this site took place on 10th January 1903. The club ensured a diverse membership base by circulating information to local residents in the Antrim Road area.

In February 1903, Mr. Butchart, the professional at Royal County Down, was commissioned to construct the new nine-hole course, which he completed in a day! The course was built on 58 acres of land south of Gray’s Lane. That March, construction of the first clubhouse began at a cost of £378. In May, Mr. Butchart was called back to redesign the course to include land (now the present 9th and 10th holes) previously used for cattle grazing by Miss MacDermott.


Expansion to 18 Holes
In 1923, the club reached an agreement with Sir Harold Gray to acquire additional land on the north side of Gray’s Lane, allowing the creation of an 18-hole course—nine holes on each side of the lane. However, the north side proved too cramped, and Charlie Pope (CW), the club’s professional since 1904, redesigned the layout. He created 11 holes on the south side and 7 on the north, which remains the essential design of today's course.


...Today
Retaining the spirit of the 1923 layout, the course continues to develop and mature. A far cry from the original 11 members, Fortwilliam Golf Club now has the support of almost 800 members completing 20,000+ rounds of golf annually both socially and competitivly.