Pars and stars at the Old Head of Kinsale: Quietly managing one of world golf's great experiences

From a portable building in the car park to a golfing must-play of world renown, the Old Head and its genial General Manager Jim O’Brien have quite the adventure to reflect upon

Jim O'Brien, who is retiring as general manager of the Old Head golf club in Kinsale. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Given his time at golf’s majestic Old Head of Kinsale began in the Supreme Court and ended at the uncomfortable end of a global pandemic, it is revealing to hear Jim O’Brien reflect on the most difficult period at the world-renowned resort.

“2008 was a very rough time, when the global recession was about to hit and hit hard. A very difficult phase of cutting staff and salaries. I had just come back as general manager from (a stint at) Skellig Bay in Kerry and went straight into cost-cutting mode. It was about survival. The American economy had crashed, they weren’t travelling, the bottom had literally fallen out of the industry and there were golf courses going into Nama.”