Herbert Warren-Wind, the American golf writer described it as "nothing less than the finest seaside course I have ever seen".

Ballybunion was the venue for the Murphy’s Irish Open in the Millennium year and the Captain described the choice as "With its unique, vertical dimension, demanding uphill and downhill shots, it was meant to stage such an event". The 2000 Murphy’s Irish Open was won by, Patrik Sjoland with a score of 270.

Bill Clinton has visited Ballybunion twice, once as President of the US on the 8th September 1998 and again in 2001. Indeed I received the following letter from the President after Dick Spring presented him with a bronze of a Bald-Headed eagle in flight, on a golf ball, on a golf hole on my behalf. "Dear Tony, I enjoyed my visit to Ireland very much and was delighted with the warm welcome I receive. Thank you for the bronze eagle. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity and Hillary joins me in sending best wishes". Sincerely Bill Clinton.

Robert Trent Jones designed the Cashen Course the jury is still out as to which is the better and greater test of golf. Regardless of which side one comes down on, Ballybunion is in position of the two most magnificent links courses to be found anywhere in the world. It is no wonder that golfers come from all corners of the world to saver "the champagne air" off the Atlantic Ocean only to be found at Ballybunion.

Ballybunion's Old Course was voted the No. 3-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Golf Digest Ireland” in 2008.

Ballybunion's Cashen Course was voted the No. 77-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Golf Digest Ireland” in 2008.

Ballybunion's Old Course was voted No. 6 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2008, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland.

The first mention of golf at Bally B. is in the Golfers Annual 1895-96, which gives its instituted date as 1896.

The first meeting of the old club took place on 4th March 1896. The first President was Mr. George Hewson and the first Hon. Secretary was Mr. C. Mark Montserrat. It was, financed by the Lartigue Railway Co.

The club went into decline about 1898. Herbert Warren Wind in book the Lure of Golf states that "when the club was reformed in 1906 after financial woes had brought down the original organisation, Captain Lionel Hewson, for many years editor of the Irish Golf magazine, built the nine holes that became the present layout." This was one of Hewson’s proudest achievements.

The people behind the revival of Bally B were Col. Bartholomew, an ex-Indian officer, Mr. B. J. Johnston, of the Bank of Ireland, Listowel, Mr Patrick McCarthy, who served as Hon. Secretary in the original club, whose son William served as Hon. Secretary from 1928-52 and Mr. John Macaulay of Listowel. It extended to 18 holes in 1927. The work was, carried out by Carter & Sons of London. The GUI Selected Bally B. for the Irish Close Championship in 1937, the club called in the renowned course architect Mr Tom Simpson who only say fit to change three greens. The 1937 Championship was won by Jimmy Bruen. However the ILGU had already discovered the magic of Bally B. as they held the 1932 Irish Ladies Championship in that year. It was, won by Miss Betty Latchford a local Lady. Many a famous Championship and person has graced the famous links since. Bill Clinton played here in on 5th September 1988, Tom Watson was Captain in 2000 and it was the Venue of the Murphy’s Irish Open on 29th July-2nd August 2000.

The Ladies of Ballybunion Golf Club were Southern District winners of the All-Ireland Intermediate Cup in 2006, when the team was, Nola Adams, Pudge O’Reilly, Georgina Keane, Nuala Lynch, Noirin Hitchen, Ann-Marie Carroll, Louise Griffin, Katherine Tangney, Marie Reen, Del O’Sullivan, they were managed by Mary Stack assisted by Judy McMahon.

Ballybunion Golf Club won the Munster Final of the Barton Shield and were drawn against a very strong Connacht Champions Galway Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final at Rosslare on Wednesday 14th September 2005.

Eoin O’Connor & Hannes Boch were drawn against John Neary & Eddie McCormack when they lost out by 6-holes. They were followed by J. D. Guiney & Peter Sheehan against Joe Lyons and Mark O’Sullivan who beat them by 5-holes. So it was not to be Bally B. year but it is good to see this famous club up there with the best of them in this “real” Blue Riband of Irish Golf.

Ballybunion Golf Club won the Munster Final of the Bulmers Jimmy Bruen Shield and were drawn against Connacht Champions Carrick-on-Shannon in the All-Ireland Semi-Final at Rosslare Golf Club on Friday 16th August 2005.

Brendan McKeon & Eoin O’Shaughnessy were drawn against Noel Sharkey & Alan Ffrench in the first match, which they won 4 and 3. They were followed by Didgie O’Connor & David Mulvihill who halved their match against Sean Mulvey & Albert Hogg. Edward Stack & Dominic Moriarty were next on the tee against Felim Gately & Johnny Martin and won their match by 4 and 3. The 4th match say Jonathan Murphy & Kieran Kennelly pitched against Noel McDermott & Joey Casey who recorded another convincing win by 4 and 3. the bottom match say Mark Dilger & Des O’Donnell, halve their match against Sean Bohan & Darragh Burke. So having had a 4 matches to 1 match against the Connacht champions they met Leinster Champions The Island the following day,

Brendan McKeon & Eoin O’Shaughnessy were drawn against Joe Cuffe & Stephen Rogers and lost by 5 and 4. Edward Stack & Dominic Moriarty were drawn against Denis Gaffney and Barry Hughes and had a bad day with a 6 and 5 defeat. Next up was Johnathan Murphy & Kieran Kennelly who halved their match against Anthony Sheridan & Ian McCormack. They were followed by Mark Dilger & Des O’Donnell who secured another half for Bally B. The anchor team was Didgie O’Connor & David Mulvihill who lost out to Noel Rodgers & Conor Whyte.

It was back in 1979 since this famous club last won the “Bruen” and even under the captaincy of “The Bommer’s” brother Donal "Dads" Liston.  2005 was not to be their year. It was interesting to note that Didgie O’Connor was on the Ballybunion Pierce Purcell All-Ireland winning team at Royal Portrush in 1975, which yet again proves that one can enjoy and compete in this wonderful game for as long as you wish.

The Ladies of Ballybunion Golf Club won the ILGU Munster Junior League in 2004, when the team was, Nola Adams, Georgina Keane, Lucy McAullife, Marjorie Morkan, Kathleen Tangney, Maureen Dillane, Angela Fahy and Ann O'Keeffe, they were managed by Ann O'Brien assisted by Doreen Kenny.

Michael Farrell won the Silver Medal at the inaugural Ulster Bank All-Ireland Championships, at Athlone Golf Club on October 6th 2002, when he returned a score of 71.

J. Molyneaux was elected to the council of the Munster Branch of the GUI for 2001.

Prior to 2001:

Ballybunion Golf Club won the All-Ireland Jimmy Bruen Shield at Royal Portrush in 1979, when the team was Sean Walsh, Michael Henigan, Maurice Clarke, John Molyneaux, Ryle Dwyer, Bobby O'Mahony, Don Gorman, Gerry Galvin, Maurice Fahy, Joe Griffin, Michael Coote, Bill Harnett and Declan Lovett, they were managed by Michael Nagle.

They won the All-Ireland Pierce Purcell Shield at Royal Portrush Golf Club in 1975, when the team was Niall O'Brien, Des Burke, Conor Stack, Michael Nagle, Sean McCarthy, Paddy Taylor, Tom O'Keeffe, Didgie O'Connor, Paudie Kinlon, Michael Noonan and Jackie Hourigan, they were captained by Dan Murphy.

They won the All-Ireland Pierce Purcell Shield at Lahinch Golf Club in 1973, when the team was Dan Murphy, Michael O'Shea, Harry Barrett, Francis Bennett, Michael Noonan, David Geany, John Harmon, P. J. Byrne, Michael Fitzgerald, Michael Nagle, Paddy Taylor, they were managed by Michael O'Hanlon.

Ballybunion won the Munster Final of the Irish Senior Cup, when they beat a very strong Limerick team in the final and went on to play Shandon Park in the All-Ireland at Lahinch on 22nd September 2000. The squad was John O'Donnell, Brian O'Callaghan, Tim Hickey, John Carroll, Pat Harnett and Eoin O'Connor. The team Captain was Brian O'Callaghan. They went down to Co. Sligo in the Semi-Final. The team on the day was John O'Donnell, John Carroll, Tim Hickey, Eoin O'Connor and Pat Harnett.

They won the Professionals-Captain Foursomes in 1986 with Ted Higgins and Joe O'Sullivan and again in 1991 with Ted Higgins and Dominic Lynch.

They won the Bill O'Sullivan Shield at Killarney in 1990, when the team was J. J. Molyneaux, Jim Enright, Jim Daly, Toddy Enright, Patsy Costello, Donie Griffin, James Moloney, Michael Whelan, Nick Roberts and Martin Murp2hy, they were managed by John Molyneaux.

They won the Munster Irish Junior Cup, with W. J. Buckley, M. Murphy, G. Mulvihill, J. Dolan, P. Kelliher, F. Dore and A. Bennett, they were managed by Sean Walsh.

They won the Munster Irish Club Youths' Championship in 1993, when the team was Gary Mlvilhill, Gary Scanlon, Sean Quinlivan and Dessie O'Hanlon, they were managed by Robert O'Mahony.

Ballybunion Golf Club won the Munster Junior Foursomes in 1998, when the team was Eoin O'Connor, Aidan Buckley, John O'Donnell, Jonathan Murphy, John Fitzell and Shane Lavery.

They won the County Championship of the J. B. Carr Diamond Trophy in 1996, when the team was, Didgie O'Connor, Edmund Stack, Michael F. Barrett, Patsy O'Sullivan, Maurice Clarke, Michael D. O'Sullivan, John Molyneaux, J. C. O'Brien, Donal Hannon, Jimmy McGowan, Tom McKeon, Michael Cotter, P. J. Walsh, Sean McCarthy, they were managed by Sean Walsh

They won it again in 1999, when the team was, Maurice Clarke, Tom McNamara, Brendan O'Neill, Bob Gidlow, Michael Henigan, Tom McKeon, Michael O'Connor, Michael P. Murphy, Jimmy McGowan, Seamus Finnerty, Eamonn McSweeney, Milo Spillane, Michael F. Barrett, Stevie Brosnan, Didgie O'Connor, John Barry, Donal Hannon, William Hayes, they were managed by Sean Walsh.

 They last won the J. B. Carr County Championship in 2001, when the team was, Kevin Barrett, Stevie Brosnan, Paddy Boucher-Hayes, Patrick A. Costelloe, Seamus Finnerty, Donie Griffin, Bob Gidlow, Tom McNamara, Eamon McSweeney, Dominic Moriarty, Martin Murphy, Michael O'Connor, Brian O'Flaherty, Brendan O'Neill, Brendan O'Sullivan, Tony O'Sullivan, Michael D. O'Sullivan, Milo Spillane, Edmund Stack, Sean Walsh, they were managed by Robert O'Mahony.  

The Ladies' of Ballybunion Golf Club won the Ladies Munster Junior League in 1984 at Killarney Golf Club, when the team was, Phil Beary, Sighle Henigan, Angela Fahy, Bernie Rohan, Mary Stack and Carmel Fleming they were captained by Del O'Sullivan.

They won the Munster Junior League again in 1991 when they defeated Dooks Golf Club at Mallow Golf Club, when the team was, Toni Quilter, Josette O'Donnell, Mary Stack, Sighle Henigan, Corrina Buckley, Rose Molyneaux and Breda Barrett.

They won the Ladies Munster Minor League in 1982, when the team was Phil Beary, Marie Galvin, Ann O'Brien, Angela Fahy and Mary Stack.

They Won the Munster Ladies Intermediate League in 1981 when the team was Ann Corridan Margaret Harnett, Doreen Kenny, Eileen Kenny and Anne Moore, they were captained by Anne O'Brien.

They won the ILGU Junior League in 2000, when the team was Orla Boyle, Carmel Carroll, Maureen Dillane, Lucy McAuliffe, Marjorie Morkan, Marie O'Callaghan and Katherine Tangney, they were managed by Ann O'Keeffe.

Mother & Daughter Toni and Michelle Quilter dominated the Australian Spoons competition on the Cashen Course, when they won by a clear nine shots. Toni went on to win the gross prize a few days later over the world famous Old Course in May of 2000.

Sean Quinlivin participated in the Boys Home International matches from 1990 to 1993 and played 16 matches and won the Tom Montgomery Award in 1990 with 1990 points. He represented Munster from 1995 to 1997 and played Munster Youths from 1991 to 1996 playing 30 matches.

V. Maloney played Munster Youths in 1989 Aiden Buckley played Munster Boys in 1998.

Donagh Walsh played Munster Boys in 1996.

Mary Harnett played for the Irish Girls in 1978.