As Ireland excitedly prepares for golfâs re-opening on Monday 26th April, our chief revenue officer Alex Saul talks to the Irish Examiner about how clubs must be flexible and adapt to sustain the 2020 participation boom.
Golf participation is set to surge again when Irish fairways reopen on 26 April. New and returning players bring a different type of challenge. Our Chief Revenue Officer, Alex Saul shares his thoughts in the Sunday Independent on how clubs must adapt if theyâre to thrive.
Irish Golfer Podcast recently hosted a roundtable discussion with figures from Irelandâs golf industry including Pat Finn of Left Field Sports Consulting; Paul Vaughan, Director of Golf at Ardglass Golf Club; Mark Ruddy, General Manager of Lucan Golf Club; and our own Ed Pettit, Managing Director of Carr Golfâs course maintenance division. Among other topics, they discussed the impact of COVID-19 on Irelandâs golf clubs and the challenges clubâs face as the country emerges from lockdown.
Carr Golf, specialists in golf course maintenance, is continuing its drive in the domestic golf market with the announcement of several long-term deals with leading golf courses across Ireland. Over the past six months, the industry leader has been enlisted by five clubs: Ardglass in Down, Blainroe in Wicklow, Edmondstown in Dublin, Ardee Golf Club and Seapoint Golf Links in Louth.
Iain Ritchie, Regional Superintendent of Carr Golf discusses the differences from his experience between setting up a Parkland course Vs. a Links course for tournaments.
Marty Carr speaks to the Irish Times on increase in membership applications as âan unforeseen benefitâ but one that had come after a difficult period for golf clubs.
Stephen Nelson of Carr Golf who commented that;  âAs soon as the Government said that golf could reopen, we saw a membership spike for all our venues. At one point we were receiving between 30-40 enquiries a day, it was unprecedented. Â
It doesnât take a greenkeeper to tell you that grass starts to grow in the spring, grows even more in the summer, before then falling back in autumn and winter. Itâs a straightforward seasonal pattern against which greenkeepers have had to manage for generations.
âA Practical Guide to Golf During COVID-19â. Itâs a concise, well-thought-out, and very realistic guide to what golf courses should be looking to implement when they get the green light.
Our priority is to ensure when golf returns to Ireland, that members, guests, visitors and staff at courses managed and maintained by the Carr Golf team can play and work safely and with peace of mind. There will be a ânew normâ to golf when it resumes.