The first golf ball to be struck in Moyola Park was hit by Lord Spencer Chichester in the early 1900's. He returned from Scotland and decided to make a number of golf holes on his estate. Tom Glass came up with the idea that a golf club would be a great asset to his home town of Maghera. Tom formed a committee to persue the idea but they were unable to find suitable grounds for a course. The idea re-emerged in 1975 and it was not unusual then, that Lord Spencer Chichester's great grandson, Lord Moyola, should decide to build an eighteen hole course on the same estate.  Lord Moyola approached Tom Glass to gauge local interest and on 27 November 1975 he called a meeting in Walsh's Hotel to inform those present of Lord Moyola's desire to construct a course at Shanemullagh. Those present were very entuusiastic and a committee was formed consisting of;

Tom Glass Chairman

Campbell McCrone Vice Chairman

Tony McCormick Secretary

Tom McIlwaine Ass. Secretary

Brian Gilbert Treasurer

Colm Mulholland, Drew Davison and Tom McIlwaine Committee

Moyola Park Golf Club was formed and held its first meeting in the Clubhouse on 17 January 1977. Eleven ladies were present at the meeting and the first ladies committee consisted of;

Anne Speedie Captain

Anne Glass Secretary

Margaret Evans Treasurer

Nora Love, Sadie Quigley, Betty Davison and Alma McCrone Committee.

Don Patterson was engaged as course architect assisted by Sam Allen with Colm Mulholland as the contractor. The first nine holes were completed in the spring of 1977 with the first competition played on 7 June 1977.

On 9th September 1977, Moyola Park Golf Club was officially opened by Mr. Don Moncrieff and the opening was followed by an exhibition match featuring Christy O'Connor Sen., Paul Leonard, Barry Brennan and Norman Drew. At this time the club had 266 members and the full 18 holes were open to play.

On 9th August Moyola Park held its first Pro-Am, and although 54 of Ireland's leading players took part, no-one came in under par for the course. The winner was Phil Posnett with a level par 72.

The next milestone in the club's history occurred on 7 November 1979 when members were informed that Lord Moyola would consider selling  the clubhouse and giving the club a 90 year lease of the course. The offer was accepted and the golf club took control on 3 March 1980.

Monday 11 August was a historic day for Moyola Park when one of the world's outstanding golfing talents, Seve Ballesteros arrived to play an exhibition match and hold a golfing clinic. The day attracted a huge crowd from all over Ireland to watch him play with Royal Portrush's David Young, Des Smith and Peter McEvoy. Since then the club has progressed to beome of the premier parkland courses in the country.

The Clubhouse itself has an interesting history. It was previously known as 'Gravesend' and was the retirement home of Admiral Lord Graves, who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and took part in the Battle of the Glorious First of June against the French in 1794. The house then passed into the hands of the Clarkes and was purchased by Lord Moyola in 1956.

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