We can be proud of our superb golf courses

PLAYING the Old Head Links course recently in dry, sunny but chilly conditions I believe that any golfer has to enjoy its superbly manicured fairways and greens in addition to some great golf shots in superb and spectacular surroundings.

No wonder Golf Digest has ranked the Old Head Links course as the most spectacular course world-wide ahead of Cypress Point Club in California, Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand, Black Mesa in New Mexico and Pebble Beach in California. Sports columnist, Furman Bishop, writing in the Atlanta Journal stated that owning the Old Head Links is like owning the most valuable diamond in the world.

Ireland has the right to be proud of such an exceptional golf course. This year the Old Head links enjoyed one of its most successful seasons in recent years with the return of American visitors in abundance. Its success has certainly bucked the trend with many of our golf clubs reducing green fees as well as annual subscriptions and offering special deals to survive. The Old Head Links averaged €120 a round in green fees.

Keith McCormack, the head of the golf division of Fáilte Ireland, speaking at the Ryanair initiative this year to entice UK golfers to Ireland by not charging for golf clubs as checked-in luggage, stated that the golf tourist business is worth €110 million to the exchequer.

The new Cobh Golf Course, situated at Marino Point with panoramic views of the River Lee and its environs, is launching a campaign in 2012 to coincide with the Centenary of the Titanic’s visit to Cobh to target an estimated 3 million US golfers of Irish extraction to become overseas members of its course. US golfers will be offered overseas membership, a plaque to commemorate the new members’ ancestors departure from our shores and fractional ownership of holiday homes on the Great Island of Cobh.

Michael O’Connell

Mansfield House

Fair Hill

Passage West

Co Cork