Carr Golf, Ireland’s Largest Golf Course Maintenance Service, Strengthens Presence in Northern Ireland with New Partnership

Carr Golf, a European leader in golf course maintenance services, today unveiled a long-term partnership with The Blackwood, a 36-hole centre in Bangor, County Down.

Carr Golf oversees ambitious programmes to enhance course conditions and create next-level golf experiences at The Blackwood. Located just outside Belfast City, the popular facility on the charming Clandeboye Estate already serves a thriving membership and active local pay-and-play golf community.

The Blackwood, which features two 18-hole parkland courses and a 26-bay driving range, is now among the 23 clubs and multi-course operations within the Carr Golf portfolio. And this partnership further strengthens the Dublin-based company’s growing presence in the Northern Ireland region.

Track record 

Carr Golf brings a 14-year track record of elevating course performance, presentation and playability to The Blackwood. Their data-driven approach and performance benchmarking aim to deliver measurable improvements to playing surfaces, soil conditions and turf health.

This involves custom maintenance and treatment plans based on in-depth assessments of both courses and the surrounding landscape. The Hamilton, which boasts a championship layout, and The Temple an exciting par 3, are routed through 2,000 acres of wooded parkland. Consequently, fostering biodiversity and reducing environmental impact is also a critical element of the strategy.

Carr Golf Regional Superintendent Iain Ritchie consults with the resident greenskeeper team headed by Jonny Eager to achieve course performance targets. This has been supported by investment in cutting-edge machinery and staff training to ensure consistent, cost-effective delivery.

Delighted 

“The team at The Blackwood is delighted to commission Carr Golf to manage and oversee golf course maintenance operations across our 36-hole estate,” Director of Golf Paul Gray said. “We’ve already seen positive developments, and our existing team is excited to work with the Carr Golf team to bring both courses to new levels of condition.”

Ed Pettit, the Managing Director of Carr Golf, commented: “This partnership is based on a shared dedication to achieve golf course excellence through innovative, science-based programmes. The Blackwood, with its remarkable courses and passionate team, is an ideal collaborator as Carr Golf continues to support more clients across Ireland and Europe.”

About Carr Golf

Carr Golf is one of Europe’s largest and most experienced professional golf course maintenance service providers. We manage entire course operations, including supplier relationships and machinery fleets, saving course managers time and empowering greenkeeping teams. We are trusted partners to golf clubs and multi-course operators delivering improved course conditions, enhanced sustainability, long-term stability, and growth. Our unrivalled data-led approach and performance benchmarking deliver never-ending improvement to golf course conditions, enhancing customer satisfaction.

About The Blackwood 

The Blackwood prides itself on being known as Northern Ireland’s premier pay-and-play golf facility. The centre sits within the beautiful parklands of the Clandeboye Estate – just three miles from Bangor and 12 miles from Belfast City Centre. The Blackwood features the 18-hole Hamilton and Temple courses, a 26-bay driving range powered by Toptracer, a putting green, a short game area and various amenities.