Homeward Bound - An Irish Golf Summer

There is still no confirmed date for when our golf courses will re-open but at least there’s some optimism that it will happen in the near future. Golf clubs and the hospitality businesses which thrive around them have had a torrid 12 months, while golf tour operators have been right in the firing line and have had to adapt to the world we now find ourselves in. 

Here is a 10-question Q&A with Joe O’Carroll, Director of Fairways and FunDays, outlining how the winner of Europe’s Best Golf Tour Operator 2020 (and a five-time winner of Best Ireland Inbound Operator) at the World Golf Awards has been adapting and preparing for the future. Irish golfers are the key beneficiaries.

 

Q1. In February 2020, did Irish golf look like it would be enjoying a bumper year with international golfers?

Joe O’Carroll (JO’C). Golf in Ireland was on the crest of a wave in terms of its appeal to the international market.  Golfers are keen to return to Ireland as soon as possible and we are confident that the Irish Golf Tourism industry will prosper when it is safe for people to travel again.  

 

Q2. What has happened to your bookings over the past year? 

JO’C. We are extremely fortunate to work with superb suppliers in Ireland in terms of golf courses, hotels, restaurants, coach companies and tourist attractions. From an early stage of this pandemic we decided that we would discourage visitors travelling to Ireland until it was absolutely safe to do so. We therefore liaised with clients who had 2020 tours booked and made suitable arrangements for these tours to be postponed without charge to 2021. Unfortunately, we now have to start moving these tours further back to 2022.  
In 2020, we introduced a unique Pandemic Money Back Guarantee meaning that clients could avail of a full money back refund if Covid-19 interfered with their travel plans.  
Fairways and FunDays has traditionally focused entirely on the international market.  In July 2020, our company introduced an attractive range of Ireland Golf Staycations specifically for the domestic market.  Feedback in relation to these tours has been exceptional.

 

Q.3 What are your causes for optimism?

JO’C. In a word “Ireland” is our cause for optimism. Fairways and FunDays is a very proud Irish company and Ireland is the only destination that we sell. We passionately believe that Ireland is the premier golfing destination in the world. There is no other that offers what we offer – great golf courses, amazing accommodation, spectacular scenery, exhilarating evening entertainment and the warmest of welcomes. The overall experience is unmatched and the appeal has so much to do with Irish people.
We know that the demand for high quality golf tours to Ireland will return when the world recovers from Covid-19 and when it is safe to travel again.  

 

Q4. How have you maintained relationships with your suppliers (golf clubs, hotels)?

JO’C. Our suppliers are key to our business and the past 12 months has been very difficult on every business that relies on tourism.  Our team has liaised closely with suppliers over the past year to rearrange tours and to see how we can develop stronger and mutually beneficial relationships into the future.  
Every single one of our suppliers has been outstanding to deal with during the pandemic and all have recognised that it is essential to be as flexible as possible with client reservations.  We are very fortunate in Ireland to have so many wonderful people employed in the golf and hospitality industries.  

 

Strandhill's startling par-4 15th

Q5. How have you redirected your efforts?

JO’C. We have used the past 12 months to continue to enhance the quality of our product.  While winning Europe’s Best Golf Tour Operator award at the World Golf Awards 2020 was a great accolade for our company, we always examine how we can make our product even better.  We have committed a considerable investment in the IT part of our business including launching an innovative App that will make client tours even more enjoyable.

In July 2020 we launched a superb range of Ireland Golf Staycation packages exclusively for the domestic market.  The feedback in relation to these packages has been excellent and these packages have helped many golf courses and hotels in Ireland who suffered greatly as a result of cancellations from international visitors.  We have just started to relaunch these Golf Staycations for the 2021 season.  

 

Q6. And with what success? 

JO’C. Our Staycations are perfect for all group sizes – from individuals to large society groups. The concept behind these tours is simple – to offer an unforgettable golfing getaway at an extremely attractive price.
Our two most popular tours in 2020 were our “Sensational Sligo Tour” featuring the three spectacular links courses at County Sligo, Enniscrone and Strandhill, and our “World Top 100 Tour” featuring the iconic courses of Ballybunion Old, Tralee & Waterville.  
In essence, every golf staycation that we offer is fully customised to meet the specific needs and budgets of our clients.  Attention to detail is really important to us, and as golfers our team understands what makes a golfing getaway special.  In addition to golf and hotel reservations, we include a four course meal, a Prize Pack and even a welcome drink within our staycation packages. It’s about making tours special and memorable. 
The fact that we offer a unique full money refund in the event of forced cancellations due to local or national travel restrictions offers clients great peace of mind.   

 

Q7. What are your plans for the domestic market at this time? 

JO’C. In early February, we began to launch our 2021 Ireland Golf Staycation tours.  We hope to have a full complement of 20 tour options released by mid-March.  These tours take in all parts of the Republic of Ireland and feature world-famous golf courses and many of our hidden gems.  
The tours range in duration from two to four nights but can all be customised to best meet specific client requirements.  
This initiative is about helping as many businesses within the golf and hospitality sectors as possible while also offering high quality golf tours to the domestic market at unbeatable prices.

Q8. Are Ireland’s golf clubs aware of and adapting to the new ‘normal’ when it comes to attracting green fees? 

JO’C. Golf clubs have experienced an extremely turbulent 12 months.  Periodic closures and implementing protocols to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission has made things very difficult. There is now light at the end of the tunnel, however, with an enormous pent-up demand for golf.  
I believe that golf courses will experience a bumper period as soon as restrictions are eased sufficiently and courses reopen.  I am certain that many people who have “retired” from golf will again take up the game we love, recognising the enormous social, health and wellbeing benefits that golf offers.  
In my opinion, golf clubs need to start promoting the “experience” that their course and club offers to help attract more visitors (and indeed to attract new members).  Clubs should showcase the social element, their golf professional, onsite dining options and the club proshop. The welcome that clubs extend to visitors counts for so much in terms of generating repeat business – and if this is not right there can be problems.  
Many great Irish golf clubs do very little to promote just how good their course is. Investing a little in a good image/video rich website and a social media presence would pay huge dividends in terms of attracting more visitors.  

Golfers enjoying late evening light last June, at Co Louth

Q9. In your experience, what is the attitude of overseas golfers to the enforced postponements/cancellations? 

JO’C. The vast majority of people realise that there are some circumstances that are beyond everyone’s control – this pandemic is certainly one of these.  
We have given a very clear message to our clients that playing great golf courses and enjoying the best overall golfing experience in the world will be possible when it is safe to travel to Ireland.  

Q10. Will this damage Irish golf as a destination in the future?
JO’C. I have absolutely no fear that this pandemic will damage Ireland as a golf destination.  Covid-19 will pass, the world will return to normal, and Ireland will again prosper as a golfing destination.  I have no doubt that when this happens, we will all have a far better appreciation of the small things in life that we take for granted – playing golf with family, spending time with loved ones, or having a pint with friends.
The future is very bright for Ireland as a golfing destination and the team at Fairways and FunDays very much looks forward to showcasing our spectacular country again to international visitors. 

 

Brendan Lawlor Walks the Walk - raising funds for Crumlin Hospital

 I looked back at this blog a few weeks ago and realised there weren’t enough good news stories. At a time when good news is important during lockdowns and restrictions it was reassuring to come across so many – both on golf courses (club investments) and in the game itself. The ‘human’ stories are so important as we can relate to them and feel a part of them. Over the past year one human story has been front and centre: Brendan Lawlor. If you haven’t heard of him then you are missing out on a part of the sport which embraces and supports all golfers. Brendan, from Dundalk, is one of the world’s top disability golfers and he's embarking on a challenge... starting today.

Ireland’s Brendan Lawlor will walk 10k a day for 10 days March
3rd to 13th to raise funds for Children's Health Ireland
at Crumlin Hospital from (Photo: Modest! Golf)

Brendan invites you to join him virtually in walking 10 kilometres a day for 10 days to raise funds for Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin Hospital.

 

The Modest! Golf professional, who was born with Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, a bone growth disorder that leads to shorter limbs, spent much of his early years on the wards at Crumlin Hospital and now wants to give back to those who gave him his chance at a life in golf.

 

“I want to celebrate my 24th birthday on the 13th of March by giving something back,” says Lawlor, who is the fourth ranked disability golfer in the world.

 

“I’ve had an incredible journey over the last year few years in golf but if it wasn’t for the amazing staff at Crumlin Hospital, I wouldn’t be here at all. It’s obviously a charity particularly close to my heart and all my family are going to get involved but hopefully it will give other people something to aim at during lockdown, too.

 

“I’m aware that it’s a tough time financially for a lot of people and although we’re trying to raise funds, even if people just take part in it, that’s all I really want. People are at home, many are struggling mentally, a lot of young people don’t have much to do. I just want to give people a reason to get out and get active and if it can help a charity like Crumlin along the way, then all the better.”

 

Brendan has set a target of raising €5,000 through the challenge. His 10k a day for 10 days will be supported by Modest! Golf, adidas, TaylorMade, ISPS HANDA and American Golf.

 

To get involved in Brendan’s 10k a day for 10 days challenge, visit his JustGiving page HERE

 

You can follow his progress on social media, on Twitter @BrendanLawlor97  and on Instagram @brendan_lawlor1997

 

 

About Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin

Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin is an acute paediatric teaching hospital employing approximately 1900 staff. It is Ireland's largest paediatric hospital.  Research is a fundamental component of all paediatric disciplines and the provision of a specialised research facility is recognised as an integral part of a modern comprehensive children's hospital. The National Children's Research Centre at this hospital provides well equipped laboratory facilities for the investigation of the biological basis of childhood disease and has made significant progress in the development of a Clinical Research Programme.

 

 

Galgorm Grabs the Limelight with ISPS HANDA World Invitational

Last year, when the professional sport of golf began its return to TV, there was a special treat for golf fans as Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Ricki Fowler and Matt Wolffe played in a fourball skins game at Seminole Golf Club in Florida. It was for charity and it raised bucketloads of money for coronavirus relief funds. In all, some $4 million was raised, with approx. $700,000 of this coming from viewer donations.

Was it a success? Clearly.

Did it miss an opportunity? Absolutely.

This wasn't a tournament. Instead it was a spectacle where golf had a chance to show

Five New Courses added to the Carr Golf Fold

Blainroe 7th hole

There have been few good news stories doing the rounds of Irish golf recently so it is always welcome to dwell on those when they do appear.

Carr Golf announced last week that five new golf clubs have been added to its Course Maintenance portfolio across Ireland. That brings to 18 the number of courses being serviced by the company. At heart, clubs want to improve course standards and as specialists in golf course maintenance, Carr Golf brings a level of professionalism that achieves just that. Look on social media or on chat forums and you’ll read that Corballis – one of those 18 – is in the best condition it has ever been.

It is no surprise therefore that Carr Golf is continuing its drive in the domestic golf market with the announcement of several long-term deals. Over the past six months, the company has been enlisted by five clubs: Ardglass in Down, Blainroe in Wicklow, Edmondstown in Dublin, Ardee Golf Club and Seapoint Golf Links in Louth.

Despite the economic challenges posed by Covid-19, golf enjoyed a domestic boost during those periods when courses were open for play in 2020. So, it appears, did Carr Golf. What’s more, there are plans for continued growth by a company recognised as the industry leader.

Seapoint Golf Links 16th

Ed Pettit, Managing Director of Carr Golf Maintenance Division said: 'We are delighted to be working with the teams across these five incredible courses. The new signings are extremely exciting for us as we continue to work with courses throughout the country to improve and streamline their course maintenance. While Covid has widely impacted the golf industry in the past year, we have seen an increase in appetite amongst the domestic market in Ireland."

Pettit added: "We are working with the green keeping teams at the clubs to help them maximise their ability to present the golf course to the highest possible standard. Our goal is to create the best possible playing surfaces and provide members with an enjoyable and challenging experience year-round. Our aim is to work with each of these clubs to increase their national ranking, to strategically improve their course and equipment fleet and to work with them to help increase memberships year on year. Once the current lockdown restrictions lift, we cannot wait to see people back out enjoying the courses in Ardglass, Blainroe, Edmondstown and Ardee Golf Clubs and Seapoint Golf Links."

The lockdown has been ‘good’ for not a lot, but greenkeeping teams have certainly had the hours and opportunity to get much needed work done at courses nationwide. Golfers are indeed itching to get back on the fairways and they can expect courses in excellent condition when that moment finally arrives.

Ardglass

Ardglass Golf Club, in Co. Down, is the most recent club recruited, with the partnership commencing in January. Paul Vaughan, PGA Professional and Director of Golf at Ardglass commented: "Carr Golf Maintenance has now been with us here at Ardglass since the start of the calendar year and they have already made a huge impact in such a short space of time. The team is working closely with our green-keeping staff to provide expertise and resources to help produce first class playing performance at this crucial time for our club. We believe that Carr Golf's innovative techniques and technologies will enhance the golfing experience and provide the best possible surfaces all year round while developing the performance of our own team by creating a culture and broadening their skills through training and mentoring. We look forward to working with them over the next few years".

Carr Golf has developed its technology and approach over 30 years and the company’s experience allows clubs the opportunity to increase productivity and efficiency, which results in increased performance and improved standards across the board. In recent years, Carr Golf has seen a steady growth in the uptake of their maintenance service with, on average, three to five club partnerships being signed each year.

Golf clubs always want their course to be presented to the best possible standard. In a few weeks’ time, when we do get back to playing golf, one of the first debates we will be having with fellow golfers is what kind of condition our courses are in. Five of those courses will undoubtedly impress their members.

Golf's Stay & Play 2021

2021 is not yet two months old, Covid19 remains rampant and vaccines provide no guarantees. 

On the other hand, things are looking a lot better than they were a few months ago when certain morons were suggesting the cure was to inject bleach. The cautious optimism heading into spring and summer has golfers waiting patiently (or impatiently, depending on your point of view) for courses to re-open. International travel will be severely limited for the global cohort of golfers so the stay-at-home stay and play offers will be keenly anticipated by all. Hotels and local golf courses, golf resorts and the likes of Fairways & Fundays are all gearing up for the holiday-at-home audience.

Druids Glen par-3 8th

This was made abundantly clear by three things in the past week:

1. The Irish Times Weekend magazine (Feb 20) had a six-page spread on Staycations, covering 38 different accommodation providers (from 5 star to camping). Nine of these were were hotels with golf courses attached and the Irish Times was kind enough to mention the availability of golf. Included were Adare, Ashford Castle, Castlemartyr, Druids Glen, Faithlegg, Farnham Estate, Fota Island, Kilkea Castle, and The Heritage. 

Places like Carton House, Mount Juliet, The K Club, Slieve Russell, Waterford Castle, Dromoland Castle, Glasson, Moyvalley, Powerscourt, Portmarnock Links, Ballykisteen, Dundrum House, Mount Wolseley, Ballymascanlon, Doonbeg, Rosapenna, Macreddin, Knightsbrook, and Castle Dargan failed to be mentioned. We have a wealth of them so it's no surprise that not would make the cut.

2. Fairways & Fundays have started their 'at home' offers. There will be many more companies and hotel/golf course combos doing the same thing in the weeks and months ahead but Fairways and Fundays tend to have a march on their competitors and come up with some cracking deals. See below for just one example!

3. Destination Golf Top 150 Courses in Ireland

This annual publication - of which I am the editor - has a five page spread on the Stay-and-Play opportunities in 2021... and it includes many of the resorts and locations missed by The Irish Times. The article starts on page 14.

McGinley Making Changes at Grange Golf Club

2020 might have been a year to forget but there were some positives for golf clubs. Memberships showed big gains which is a massive momentum shift for Irish golf but, behind the scenes, golf clubs also continued to invest in their courses, clubhouses and facilities. We’re talking a lot of money here, and while much of it would already have been committed (pre-Covid) it still shows confidence across the board that so many projects continued during the year.

I wrote an 8-page article for Irish Golfer Magazine outlining many of the investment projects that have taken place – Click Here – but there are others that I didn’t include simply because I hadn’t heard about them (or they were too small). One was the new website for Cairndhu while one that most definitely should have been included is Grange Golf Club, where Paul McGinley Golf Course Design has been carrying out a considerable amount of work. Grange is dear to my heart as I played it many, many times during my teenage years. Once, in the Leinster Schoolboys (a fourball matchplay format where you play to the 18th regardless of the win/loss), we came up against Coláiste Éanna. My partner and I won the first hole but after that it was one-way traffic as one of the opposition pair dismantled us hole after hole. We were 8 down walking off 18 and we like to believe that the individual concerned was Paul McGinley… it helps us sleep better at night.

Despite such a hammering I retain very fond memories of the course and the club, so here’s an update from Paul McGinley Golf Course Design on what’s been going on:

Grange Golf Club engaged the company to create a masterplan to update its enduring James Braid course to make it fit for decades to come. This masterplan is the second phase of a programme of development which has seen the club invest €570,000 in the past five years in its Love, Sheahan and Academy Courses, as well as its new integrated short game complex. There are 24 holes here with the holes forming different routings.

The objective of the masterplan from Paul McGinley’s standpoint is to enhance and improve the facilities at Grange Golf Club. A particular focus is being placed on the new lands with the aim of better blending these holes architecturally with the current Love course… and especially the two holes which are part of the Sheahan routing. The works will include improving the movement of members and guests around the current site, while adhering to health and safety procedures. Paul is going to work to ensure the enjoyment and playability for all levels and standards of play. Key will be protecting, enhancing, and future proofing the Grange’s DNA… as a beautifully tree-lined, parkland course.

Some of the options under consideration in this second phase include:

• reviewing tee box locations in order to offer a better mix of challenges for the full range of handicaps;
• providing alternate layouts to the Academy Course to increase golfing options for members;
• making further additions to the practice facilities including a warm-up area;
• bringing the bunkering back to a traditional style, with modern construction to reward strategic golfers and improve year-round playability.

Investment to date, much of which has been designed and overseen by Paul McGinley and his project coordinator, Joe Bedford, has included the creation of a championship-sized integrated putting and short game practice complex; the redevelopment of the 1st hole and green; completion of a project to bring all putting greens to USGA standards; bunker improvements; and new course signage and other developments. The construction works have been completed by DAR Golf. 

Irish Golf in 2021 - what the year has in store

Now more than ever is a good time to look ahead to 2021… and the positives that await in the world of Irish golf. Because heaven knows there aren’t many people thinking about the positives right now.

Mount Juliet's 4th green

 Pro and amateur golf aside – and there are plenty of big stories there with Padraig captaining the Ryder Cup team, Shane Lowry defending his Open Championship, Stephanie Meadow and Leona Maguire making strides, and Rory McIlroy still striving to complete the grand slam … not to mention the likes of James Sugrue and Olivia Mehaffey taking their next steps – Irish golf courses have plenty going on, too. True, we remain at the mercy of Covid and lockdowns but that didn’t stop things happening last year… and it won’t stop them happening this year either.

 

Highlights of 2021 will be:

 

1 The opening of the St Patrick’s Links at Rosapenna. It is the first ‘new’ course in Ireland since 2008 (Cobh Golf Club) and it has been designed by Tom Doak. Due to open in the summer the buzz is mighty and I am officially enthralled at the prospect of Doak designing a course in Ireland… let alone a links. There are photos of the course on Instagram. Take a look; get excited. Donegal is becoming the hottest destination in Ireland… the world maybe… as it will now have all of its existing stock as well as courses designed by Tom Doak and Gil Hanse (Narin & Portnoo). Expect golf writers/reviewers from around the world to flock to Ireland as soon as it is safe to do so.

 

2 There are lots of courses making investments in their courses (my 2020 investment article for Irish Golfer is here) and that will be continuing in 2021. Castlebar Golf Club will officially open its updated course in the spring, even if it was being played by members last summer. Malone Golf Club has been doing a lot of work to holes on its back nine as well as a new practice area. This will open this year. But the biggest job on course upgrades is still underway at Glasson Golf Club, where the closing five holes have been revamped entirely. These were the course’s best holes so it will be fascinating to see how they have evolved… and whether David Jones, the designer, will then be asked to turn his attention to the holes on the other side of the entrance road.

 

3 The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will be played at Mount Juliet… a year late but still showcasing the beauty of Irish golf. On the downside, the Rolex mantle has gone; on the upside the event has been moved back to the more attractive July date (July 1-4). That date should also help with the anticipated roll out of the vaccination programme… in this country at least… and the likelihood of spectators being allowed to attend. Register your interest for tickets here. 

4. Have you heard of Clandeboye Golf Club, outside Newtownards? Most Irish golfers have but not many have visited this lovely rich parkland. There are two 18-hole courses here and the championship course, the Dufferin, will host the PGA EuroPro Tour in August (18-20). Tullamore Golf Club is celebrating 125 years this year and will be hosting the Irish Am Close as part of what will undoubtedly be a busy year.

 

Those are the big stories to look forward to but there is much more going on – at Ardglass, Dingle Links and Bandon, to name a few – and many clubs are celebrating anniversaries.

 

It’s not going to be dull that’s for sure. Happy golfing for when we can get back on the fairways.

 

 

Golf, Ireland, and Covid-19 in 2021

It is almost impossible to read any review of 2020 without the word ‘Covid’ or ‘virus’ appearing in the opening lines. That was the year we all had to endure and, as much as we have high hopes for 2021, the realists among us will know that there are several months of hardship ahead of us still.

This is as true in Ireland as it is anywhere.

 

We want golfers to return to this fantastic golf destination but those golfers will be thinking about how and when to visit, where to go, who to book with and what the implications will be of the vaccination programme – not just in Ireland but in their home country, too.

 

I particularly feel for those who had to postpone their 2020 golf trips and moved them to 2021. There must be a sense of desperation setting in.

 

If I had a crystal ball I would help you, I really would, but in the absence of such fortune telling powers I can do no more than direct you to the websites which will offer you the best and most up-to-date information:

 

1.    https://www.golfireland.ie/news?menuid=98
This is Irish golf’s official governing body and they update their ‘News’ feed regularly to spell out what is happening, not just with Covid-19 but with Irish golf in general.

2.    https://www.gov.ie/en/ 
For Irish government guidelines, this is the official place to go. It is up to date but also spells out what is and isn’t allowed in our five tier structure.

 

There are plenty of online resources out there but the newsfeeds for www.irishtimes.com and www.irishexaminer.ie are definitely worth checking. The Irish Times allows you five free articles a week before you have to tackle their paywall. The Irish Examiner doesn’t have any restrictions presently.

 

The current feeling is that there will be mass vaccinations in Ireland in May to July, and that the country will be much more accessible to tourism from that point as a result. That's not to say golf won't be accessible before then but, as this virus has shown, lockdowns and restrictions can happen fast… and comprehensively, and some peace of mind later in the year might be exactly what you need. 

 

All the same, businesses are following the relevant protocols so it is hoped we will be 'open for business' soon.

 

Remember, you will need a face mask (and I would recommend bringing several). Face shields don’t cut it unless worn with a mask. You are not allowed into shops (bars, restaurants, hotels included) unless you are wearing a mask.