Column: Lost Ring Finds Missing Golf Links
[Column written by Kim Swan]
In 1895 Surgeon Major Creagh, A.M.S. Boaz offered a reward for the return of a precious ring lost in Ireland Island where The Royal Naval Dockyard was located.
We are not sure if Surgeon Major Creagh found the the precious stone, but, because of his description, 129 years later we have found evidence that the British military ensured golf courses were available at all of its outposts in Bermuda.
Golf Links, Ireland Island
Surgeon Major Creagh, A.M.S. Boaz did ensure that we are reunited with confirmation that a golf links existed in Ireland Island because of his ad in hope of locating his precious gold ring, revealing the period via a dated ad, a description of the location that reveals there was a golf links in Ireland Island, a Royal Naval Club and an area referred to then as Boaz.
BOAZ being the location of the medical facility
What is A.M.S. BOAZ?
The Army Medical Services [AMS] is the organisation responsible for administering the corps that deliver medical, veterinary, dental and nursing services in the British Army.
This revelation brings the total golf courses in the 1800s to four – three Garrison Golf Links at Ireland Island, Prospect and St. George’s, along with Hamilton Golf Links at Spanish Point. And the hint golf was also played at Government House during that period.
Five Forts [St. Regis Hotel] Golf Club
Garrison Links St. George’s
Today two of the military golf courses from the 1800’s remain in play
The Garrison Golf Links [St. George’s] was well known in 1890’s, more likely because the Town of St. George was an established commercial seaport.
Since 1906 St. George’s has had a major hotel and since 1924 a Golf Resort. The restoration of the Robert Trent Jones Sr., St. George’s Golf Course, the purchase of the St. George’s Club timeshare and building of St. Regis Hotel as enhanced the Town of St. George as a major tourism hub.
The St. George’s Hotel & Rose Hill Golf [1924]
Five Forts [St. Regis] Golf Club
This new addition since 2020 encompasses all of the original Garrison Golf Links from the 1800’s and the St George’s [Rose Hill] Golf Course from 1920s and Bermuda Government’s St. George’s Golf Club from 1985 into a beautiful addition to our modern day infrastructure after the property sat dormant and unkept for fifteen years.
Garrison Links Prospect [1890s]
Operated as golf links west of Barkers Hill Road for many years under the auspices of the British Military Garrison at Prospect. From the 1930s and the advent of the train it was commonly referred to as Devonshire Golf Links and a convenient stop on the railway line. The legendary Louis Rafael Kid Corbin promoted the course as its Golf Pro in 1933.
In 1950 the Ocean View Golf Club would lease, reopen and rename the course. The Ocean View Golf Club would later incorporate and expand the course east of Barkers Hill Road.
In 1987 the Bermuda Government reclaimed responsibility for the operation of the golf course and formed a Quango to manage entire golf operation and property. The Quango today forms part of the consolidation.
Ocean View Golf Course
Our History Matters
It is important to understand the origins of our golf courses in Bermuda, especially since golf continues to be an important part of our tourism product. We also get to appreciate that we were pioneers in the development of the game. Not too dissimilar to tennis via Mary Outerbridge, we look to unearth the relationships our tourism was built on.
