Plaque unveiled for 1890s champion teen golfer at Royal Portrush

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

A teen champion golfer who was a “pioneer” for the women’s game a hundred years ago has had a plaque unveiled in her honour at Portrush Golf Club.

May Hezlet, from Aghadowey, won the Ladies Championship three times and Irish Ladies’ Championships five times between 1899 and 1908.

She was commemorated with an Ulster History Circle Blue Plaque at Royal Portrush Ladies’ Clubhouse on Monday.

Born in Gibraltar on April 29th 1882, Ms Hezlet’s family lived at Bovagh House in rural Aghadowey.

Her mother, her three sisters and brother were also accomplished players at Royal Portrush and she won her first competition aged 11.

Ms Hezlet was 13 when she won the British Ladies’ Open at Royal Portrush in 1895, the first time it was held in Ireland.

In 1899, she won both Irish and British championships on the links at Royal County Down, aged 17.

She said she felt emancipated through playing golf and in her book Ladies’ Golf, published when she was 22, she wrote: “Household duties are a very necessary part of life, and sewing and amusements of like nature are excellent in moderation, but they are not enough to satisfy the tastes of the modern girl.”

She wrote of the British Ladies’ Open coming to Portrush for the first time in 1895: “The visit of the English golfers to the Emerald Isle had a far-reaching effect.

“Up to that time, the game had been played by ladies in Ireland, it is true, but in a very half-hearted manner.

“They had not realised the pleasures and possibilities contained in the sport, but had regarded it simply as a pastime to while away an idle half-hour.

“On seeing the skill and science of the English golfers… they determined to devote themselves to the study of golf in earnest, and so fit themselves to rank as formidable adversaries.”

She later became president of the Portrush Ladies’ Club and held the post until 1951.

She died on December 27th, 1978, aged 96.

Ladies’ branch president Shirley Robinson said she was “delighted” to receive a Blue Plaque to commemorate May Hezlet.

“May was a wonderful pioneer of ladies’ golf and brought worldwide recognition to Portrush.

“If she were looking down from above today, I am very sure she would be gratified to see that the Ladies’ Branch of Royal Portrush has continued to produce Curtis Cup, international players and champions.”

Chairman of the Ulster History Circle Chris Spurr said: “Today, May Hezlet would be acclaimed as a ‘teenage golfing sensation’ for becoming both the Irish Ladies’ and the British Ladies’ Amateur champion in 1899, aged 17, the first of her many championship titles.

“She honed her golfing prowess in Portrush, and the Ulster History Circle is delighted to commemorate this pioneer golfer with a blue plaque at her home club.

“The Circle is grateful to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council for their financial support towards the plaque, and to the officers of the Ladies’ Branch of Royal Portrush Golf Club for their kind assistance.”