One of the earliest recorded Irish Programmes in existence is that of the 1900 Irish Amateur played at Royal County Down which was won by Harold Hilton. This was only recently exumbed from the bowels of an old english bookstore and was placed up for Auction. Considering that the earliest known British and US Open program is 1925, US Amateur 1924, British Amateur 1930? this could place this as one of the oldest "programmes" in existence for a national championship.

The programme was withdrawn at auction when it didn't meet the reserve, its value has been estimated at over $1,000. It is probably comparable with the drawsheet for the first (Official) British amateur championship in 1896 at St. Andrews which was being sold for Stg£1,900 by a reputable dealer in Golfing artifacts although there would be are greater cachet in the latter championship.

The earliest professional programme would be the very first professional tournament held here in Royal Portrush 1895 which was won by Alexander (Sandy) Herd.

The 1951 Portrush Open Championship (the only Open Championship held outside mainland Britian) has sold for Stg1,375 but another program was withdrawn at Stg£575 a few months later. The 1947 British Open would also be on any Irish Collectors wish list as it was won by Fred Daly would set you back Stg£500-Stg£600

Irish Open programmes are becoming more valuable but are not very common pre-1954 bearing in mind there was no Irish Open between 1954-1974. The earliest Irish Open programme that has come up for sale was, to my knowledge, the 1933 programme held at the Malone GC which was sold at auction for $62.50. A 1935 Irish Open programme went up for auction but was withdrawn at $88 as the reserve hadn't been met. Recently [2010] Irish Open programmes for 1934 (3days - Portmarnock), 1935 (1day Royal County Down) and 1936 (2days - Royal Dublin) have appeared for sale in very good condition for c. EUR 300 each. A 1935 Irish Amateur Open Golf Championship for Royal Portrush also appeared for sale for EUR235. An Irish International programme for the 16-18 May 1949 was also for sale at EUR 235. The Royal Dublin Golf Club International Pro/Am Golf Tournament (1st pro/am held in Ireland and "first" (as advertised) golf tournament to be televised in Ireland) was also up for sale at EUR 135.

In 1993 Christies sold Irish Open programmes for 1933, 1935 and 1937 all together in one lot together with the 1930 Open Championship and two 1947 Walker Cup programmes together with six others the Guide Price was Stg£100-Stg£150 but they eventually sold for £632. A conservative estimate of the value of the 1930 programme alone bearing in mind it's the infamous Grand Slam programme of Bobby Jones would fetch in excess of Stg£2,000. Now that's what I call a return on your investment!!!!