A top golf club, handicapped for several years by a huge debt, is finally out of the rough.

A long-standing tradition in golf whereby the vice-captain of a club becomes captain for the following year, unopposed, is due to be set aside by one of the country’s leading clubs.

Killarney Golf Club is to close its Lackabane course indefinitely as the tough times bite for one of the country’s leading facilities.

Members of a top golf club hit by a cash-flow crisis have been told “very deep and significant change” is needed to ensure its survival.

THE European Tour carnival may have moved on to fresh pastures but for the staff left behind at the Irish Open’s host venue there is still plenty of work to do.