County Louth Golf Club is proud to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Nancy Gannon Junior Open, one of Ireland’s longest-running and most respected junior golf events.
Since its beginnings in 1952, the competition has welcomed generations of young golfers to Baltray, providing an opportunity to compete, develop friendships and experience championship links golf. Many former competitors have gone on to successful amateur and professional careers, making the event an important stepping stone in Irish golf.
The tournament began with a simple vision from former Club President Joe Shiels, who donated £5 to create a competition for junior members. What started as a nine-hole event with just ten participants has grown into one of Ireland’s premier junior opens, attracting boys and girls from clubs across the country each summer.
The event proudly carries the name of Nancy Gannon, a former Lady Captain and Lady President whose passion for junior golf helped shape the competition into the much-loved fixture it is today. Her dedication to encouraging young golfers and fostering a welcoming club environment has left a lasting legacy at County Louth Golf Club and throughout Irish amateur golf.
To mark this landmark anniversary, the Club is launching the inaugural Nancy Gannon U18 WAGR Boys Tournament on 5–6 August. The 54-hole championship will offer leading junior golfers the opportunity to compete for World Amateur Golf Ranking points on the renowned Baltray links.
Celebrations will continue on August 6th with the traditional Nancy Gannon Junior Open, featuring 13 trophies across Boys’ and Girls’ competitions from Under 18 through to Under 10 categories. The event remains true to the values that have defined it for 75 years—competition, opportunity, enjoyment and community.
County Louth Golf Club warmly invites junior golfers and their families from across Ireland to join this special anniversary celebration. Entries are now open via the Club website.
Seventy-five years after its foundation, the Nancy Gannon Junior Open continues to inspire the next generation of golfers while honouring a remarkable tradition at Baltray.
