Lahinch Golf Club’s profits jump 22% to more than €355,000

Clare club’s finances boosted by 9% increase in green fee income to €1.235m

Lahinch

Golf Club last year “steadied the ship” as profits jumped 22 per cent to €

355,649. The 122-year-old club recorded a surplus of €355,649 compared to €291,947 in 2012, according to the annual report.

One of the country's most exclusive golf clubs, the links course counts Irish rugby captain Paul O'Connell, multi-major winner Phil Mickelson and broadcaster Terry Wogan among its members.

READ MORE

Club finances were boosted by a 9 per cent increase in green fee income to €1.235 million.

In a report presented to members of Lahinch Golf Club yesterday at the club's AGM, captain Eamon Foley said it was in "an excellent place, having coming through some difficult times".

He said: “We have steadied the ship and the club is now on a sound, sustainable financial footing.”

Mr Foley said the increase in green fee income last year “reflects a strengthening overseas golf tourism market, particularly from North America. Green fee bookings for this year are 14 per cent ahead of last year’s.

The increased green fees more than offset a reduction in income from membership subscriptions, he said. Income generated from members’ subscriptions last year fell from €1.054 million to €990,033.

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan is a contributor to The Irish Times