Moves underway to solve Killarney Golf club row

MOVES continued behind-the-scenes, yesterday, to resolve another row that has split officers and directors at Killarney Golf and Fishing club.

Niall Reddy, of Fáilte Ireland, chairman of the club's board of directors, has offered to meet the captain, Paul Murphy, and president, Michael Guerin, to discuss issues raised by them.

Mr Murphy and Mr Guerin have signed a two-page letter, which has been put on display in the clubhouse, urging members not to pay their annual subscriptions and €100 for a newly-introduced, compulsory spend card for food and drink, until a solution is found to disputed matters.

As well as the spend card, other issues raised in the letter include chairmanship of club committees and the opening of a separate account for members' annual subscriptions.

It is understood, however, that the controversial spend card will be voluntary.

The lakeside club - the only club in the country with three championship courses - is 75% owned by Fáilte Ireland, but there has been conflict for several years between the directors and some members.

Following the latest flare-up, the board has expressed its "great disappointment and confusion" that the letter from the two top officers was put into the public domain.

A statement also said all issues raised had been dealt with and a reply drafted to the captain and president by Mr Reddy.

If talks with Mr Reddy do not succeed in diffusing the row, the club could be facing into a contentious extraordinary general meeting, which could further deepen divisions.

Infighting over a number of years has been a cause of embarrassment to the prestigious, 2,000-member club. At its peak, the club had around 40,000 green fee visitors per year, but numbers have fallen in recent years.

The club has just spent €2m on redeveloping its flagship Killeen course, which is due to re-open during the summer and an intensive marketing campaign is being organised.

"Rather than fighting amongst ourselves, we should be totally focussed on promoting Killeen and getting Killarney restored to the top position it once held in Irish golf," a leading club member said yesterday.

The club has debts of over €3m, but the directors maintain that the successful relaunch of the Killeen course could greatly improve the financial situation and might even provide cash for the redevelopment of the Mahony's Point course.