The tournament was created to honour both JB Carr and Wellington Mara, who shared qualities of generosity and community spirit.
The idea was to host a friendly golf competition between Irish and U.S. golf clubs, promoting camaraderie and fellowship among the clubs’ members while also incorporating charitable acts.
Mary Carr, JB’s second wife generously donated JB’s British Amateur Prize, which he won three times, as the perpetual trophy.
The tournament is a collaboration between several prestigious Irish and U.S. golf clubs. The following clubs participate in the event:
The first competition was held at Portmarnock Golf Club in 2007. The event was intended to foster good fellowship and good golf, while also allowing for charitable initiatives to be woven into the competition.
The Board of the Carr Mara Tournament is delighted to welcome the stunning Old Head Golf Links to the esteemed group of clubs that comprise the Carr Mara Tournament and host of the 2027 event in Ireland.
This truly unique, world-class golf course was designed on a historic headland that extends over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean — the very waters where the Lusitania was sunk in 1915, an event that ultimately led to the United States entering World War I.
One of J.B. Carr’s proudest personal achievements was serving as a key member of the design team, alongside the legendary designer Ron Kirby and others, helping to shape this extraordinary course.
Located in Kinsale, County Cork, on Ireland’s spectacular southwest coast, Old Head Golf Links is regarded as one of the most breathtaking and distinctive golf courses in the world. The club was the visionary creation of the late John O’Connor and his brother Patrick, whose dedication has transformed Old Head into one of the most recognised and sought-after golfing experiences on the planet.
It stands today as a sanctuary for those seeking the very finest in personalised service and unforgettable surroundings.
Old Head Golf Links looks forward to joining the Carr Mara Tournament family, to hosting the 2027 Carr Mara event, and to welcoming you to the unparalleled Old Head Experience and the charming village of Kinsale.
