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""Over 100 Years of Golfing History""
George Combe was invited by James Campbell to lay out the first nine holes at Rosses Point. Combe was a scratch golfer, the first honorary secretary of the Golfing Union of Ireland of which he was a founder member in 1891, and set up the world's first handicap system in 1896. He laid out the first nine holes around the current clubhouse and Greenlands. His early association with the club has been perpetuated by his presentation of a silver cup in 1896. The Combe Cup is still played for today and is one of the oldest golf trophies in existence.
In 1902, George Combe was awarded the first Honorary Life Membership for his contribution to the designing and creation of the club's first nine holes. He was a regular visitor until his death in 1938.
The original lease for the links was for one year and was very close to not being renewed. Henry Middleton was a reclusive man who took exception to members playing golf in the vicinity of his house and made efforts to have them removed in 1895. Thus Co. Sligo Golf Club would have ceased to exist were it not for the persistence and the diplomacy of James Campbell and Harper Campbell Perry who between them smoothed the troubled waters and negotiated a further ten-year lease for the land. Eventually in 1912 they agreed with Henry Middleton to accept honorary membership of the club, thus ending the long running dispute and ensuring the future of the club.
