Blue plaque unveiled dedicated to Royal Portrush golfer and teenage sensation, May Hezlet

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan has attended the unveiling of a Blue Plaque located at Royal Portrush Ladies’ Clubhouse in memory of May Hezlet. Pictured alongside the Mayor are (l-r) May's great, great, great nephew Rupert Cramsie, Royal Portrush Ladies’ Captain, Naoimh Quigg and Mr Andrew Frazer, DL County Antrim.

The Ulster History Circle have joined with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens to unveil a Blue Plaque located at Royal Portrush Ladies’ Clubhouse in memory of May Hezlet.

Thanks to support from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council May will be remembered for her outstanding contribution to ladies’ golf from a very young age.

On an annual basis Council sponsors the installation of one blue plaque in memory of eminent persons from the Borough and May Hezlet, who was from Aghadowey has been chosen for the key role she played in growing the sport for women of her generation.

Members of the Royal Portrush Ladies’ Branch who attended the unveiling of a Blue Plaque located at Royal Portrush Ladies’ Clubhouse in memory of May Hezlet.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan, who unveiled the plaque said: “It is fitting that we mark eight-time golfing championship winner May Hezlet and her contribution to growing the sport of golf for women.

“She was a trailblazer of her era and the Blue Plaque now on display at Royal Portrush Ladies’ Clubhouse is a fitting tribute to her legacy, particularly in this, the year that the R&A Open returns to Portrush this July and golf is very much the sport of the moment.”

“I was proud to join the Ulster History Circle and representatives of Royal Portrush to unveil this plaque in her memory.”

May Hezlet was born in Gibraltar on 29th April 1882, and in her later years became President of Portrush Ladies’ Club, holding the post until 1951. During her golfing career she won the Irish Championship in 1899 and just one week later at age 17, she won the British Championship on the same links at Newcastle, County Down. 

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan pictured with Sarah Carson, Council’s Museum Services Manager, Mrs Alison Millar, Lord-Lieutenant of County Londonderry, and members of The Ulster History Circle and Royal Portrush Ladies’ Branch to unveil a Blue Plaque located at Royal Portrush Ladies’ Clubhouse in memory of May Hezlet.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan attended the unveiling of a Blue Plaque located at Royal Portrush Ladies’ Clubhouse in memory of May Hezlet.

Between 1899 and 1908 May won the Irish Championship five times, also winning the British Championship three times during the same period. 

Shirley Robinson, Ladies’ Branch President added:

“I am delighted that we have received a Blue Plaque to commemorate May Hezlet. May was a wonderful pioneer of Ladies’ golf and brought worldwide recognition to Portrush.

“If she were looking down from above today, I am very sure she would be gratified to see that the Ladies’ Branch of Royal Portrush has continued to produce Curtis Cup, International players and Champions.”

The Ulster History Circle have unveiled a Blue Plaque located at Royal Portrush Ladies’ Clubhouse in memory of May Hezlet.

Portrush Ladies’ Captain, Naoimh Quigg, a former Irish senior international, said the Blue Plaque commemoration is a fitting tribute to a golfing legend whose name is revered at their clubhouse.

"What she achieved in her playing career was nothing short of astonishing.  She was such a pioneer and, almost 50 years after her death, the very mention of May Hezlet, especially at Royal Portrush, evokes huge emotions.

"She may have been born in Gibraltar and died in England, but this was undoubtedly her spiritual home, and the plaque is a long overdue, but richly deserved, recognition of her sporting prowess and an acknowledgement of the way she embraced life generally.  What a woman."

Coleraine Museum holds various archive material and objects relating to May Hezlet and the Hezlet family. The family played a key role within the North Coast and Coleraine’s society.  They travelled widely and have held many important functions in their family home (Bovagh House).

Chris Spurr, chairman of the Ulster History Circle commented:

“Today May Hezlet would be acclaimed as a “teenage golfing sensation” for becoming both the Irish Ladies’ and the British Ladies’ Amateur champion in 1899, aged 17, the first of her many championship titles. 

“She honed her golfing prowess in Portrush, and the Ulster History Circle is delighted to commemorate this pioneer golfer with a Blue Plaque at her home club.

“The Circle is grateful to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council for their financial support towards the plaque, and to the officers of the Ladies’ Branch of Royal Portrush Golf Club for their kind assistance.”

The installation of a blue plaque to May Hezlet at Royal Portrush in 2025 coincides with the return of the Open Championship to the Borough from 13th – 20th July 2025.