Golf caterer on course to feed the masses

LIKE Napoleon’s army, John Coughlan knows golf fans attending the Irish Open in Adare over the next four days will march on their stomachs.

John is tasked with ensuring that tens of thousands are fed and watered.

It’s a job the managing director of catering company Master Chefs has been doing at the championship for the past 15 years.

Golf fans, he says, prefer to “eat on the hoof” while out watching the golf.

John said: “Most like to grab a panini, bacon roll or steak sandwich rather than sit down for a meal.”

Up to 1,000kg of prime sirloin will be gobbled in beef sandwiches alone.

Watching golf can be thirsty work too.

And Mr Coughlan believes fans will wash down up to 50,000 pints of stout and lager.

“The hotter it gets the greater the amount of drink,” he said.

The five-star Adare Manor Hotel are organising, in conjunction with Master Chefs, two hospitality on-course marquees which seat a total of 600.

Hotel spokeswoman Jackie Britton said a corporate table for 10 would cost €2,950 today and €3,950 for the final three days.

She disclosed: “For this, visitors get admission, VIP parking, breakfast, three-course lunch with wine, afternoon tea and complimentary bar.”

John Coughlan said one of the two corporate marquees, set by the 18th fairway overlooking the green, has the most panoramic corporate view he has ever witnessed at a tournament.

He said: “The view from the Maigue Club marquee is just breathtaking.”

Adare has been declared a politically sanitised zone for the duration of the Open.

All parties have agreed to remove posters until next Monday.

The most excited group at the course yesterday was made up of 29 budding golfers from Gaelscoil An Raithin in Dooradoyle.

The children aged six and nine couldn’t believe their luck when Padraig Harrington came over on the first tee and signed autographs.

The children take part in a special golf tuition class run by their school which operates in Garryowen rugby club pavilion.

Teacher, Ailin Ni Chaoimh said: “They were so excited at meeting Padraig who was brilliant. It’s great to have such a sports celebrity who goes out of his way like he did today to make such a big thing of the children.”

The children at the Gael Scoil have taken part in an eight week golf course at school through Junior Golf Ireland.

Ms Ni Chaoimh said: “We have a lot of open space at the rugby grounds and they learned how to grip a club, chip and putt. Today, they had a practice session with club professional, John Coyle.”