In pursuit of more exotic climes

The rattle of money in the pockets of Irish golfers is particularly evident in the numbers migrating to sunnier and sometimes more exotic climes in pursuit of a golfing fix. "The numbers are growing so fast it's untrue. The numbers travelling year on year are almost doubling," remarked John Cassidy, of Cassidy Travel in Dublin, one of those at the forefront in organising the almost year-round exodus from these shores.

Indeed, the general consensus of those involved in the golf holiday sector is that growth, especially over the past 10 years, is a reflection of the increased buoyancy in the Irish economy during that particular period. A decade or more ago, such golfing trips were considered the preserve of the elite; not so any more, as greater market choice has put such overseas trips within the reach of most golfers.

"A good example of the change in attitudes is that of the small societies," explained Paddy Baird, of Killester Travel, Sean Skehan World of Golf.

And, in terms of destinations, Spain and Portugal remain numbers one and two in the preferred choice of the travelling golfer. What has changed, however, is that it has become ever more difficult to facilitate large groups in the traditional golfing hot-spots of the Costa del Sol in Spain and the Algarve in Portugal due to demand for tee-times - with Irish operators battling with their counterparts from Germany, Scandinavia and Britain to secure places on the tee - and, consequently, many companies have diversified to other areas, like Barcelona in northern Spain and further up the Portugese coast to the Lisbon area, in order to cater for the numbers travelling from here.

"We're already booking tee-times on courses in the Costa del Sol and the Algrave for March 2002, because it is the only way you can guarantee clients that they'll get to play," said Brian Nevin of Villa and Golf Vacations.

In terms of organising tee-times in the Costa del Sol or the Algarve, where green fees have also increased in recent years, there is a belief that these destinations are better suited to individuals or smaller groups. Although the specialist golf operator is likely to have more clout in securing tee-times, it is still a difficult enough task in these desired areas.

"It's a question of supply and demand, and the demand for tee-times has driven up the cost. A lot of people like to travel in groups (more people, more difficult to secure times) and many of the courses in these areas have marshalls who are inclined to rifle golfers around the place." said Baird.

In fact, green fees for courses in the Costa del Sol area have jumped to around £45£50 or even more per round in the last number of years, which is why the likes of Barcelona - where green fees range from about £25£40 - has attracted growing numbers of Irish golfers in recent times. "In terms of value for money, you can't beat Barcelona or Lisbon," insisted Baird. With ever-more people undertaking sunshine golfing holidays from Ireland, the operators have been forced, in purely logistical terms, to broaden their horizons. So, while the traditional areas of the Costa del Sol, once dubbed the Costa del Golf, and the Algarve remain firm favourites, if ever harder to secure tee-times on the preferred courses, the likes of Barcelona, Jerez and even Madrid in Spain, and the Lisbon area in Portugal, have benefited.

For example, a seven-night golfing holiday to the Costa Blanca region of Spain (including three rounds of golf and car hire) can be obtained for £419+ while, at the upper end of the market, a seven-night stay at the Quinta de Lago Hotel (including three rounds of golf and car hire) in the Algarve can be acquired from £889. For shorter stays, another example is that a three-night stay (with two rounds of golf) in the Costa Brava region of Spain can cost from just £395.

But it is not only the Iberian peninsula which acts as a magnet. France, for instance, has almost doubled the number of its golf courses inside the past decade and is becoming an option while the Far East - especially Thailand - and South Africa have emerged as the favoured longhaul destinations. "The beauty of South Africa," according to Cassidy, "is that not only do you get magnificent golf courses, but it is good value for money and there is so much to see away from the golf."

While Baird's observation of Thailand, where his company bring up to 1,000 Irish golfers each year, is that "everybody is treated like kings and queens."

And, despite the strength of the dollar against the Irish pound, the United States has re-emerged as another popular longhaul destination, with the Carolinas again finding favour. "You've got a lot of people who have been going to either Spain or Portugal for 10 years on the trot, and they're now looking for a change," remarked Nevin, who also observed that Dubai has managed to earn a niche in the marketplace.

This lust for travel in search of golf in foreign climes has grown appreciably over the past decade, so much so that many operators have dedicated golf sections. So, what sort of people are making the trips?

"They come in mainly three groups," remarked Cassidy. "You have the incentive market, with a lot of commercial and finance houses, and insurance companies, etc involved in this area; you have the clubs and societies who organise trips every year, and then you have other smaller groupings, who simply fancy the idea of a golfing holiday."

Nevin has noticed a big difference in the make-up of the groups in recent years. "There was a time when the groups when mainly men-only, but that has changed. There are now groups of ladies, and a lot of couples where, maybe four or five years ago, the partner didn't play golf but now does. I'd say 12 years ago they were all lads but that is no longer the case. You have fathers and sons, mixed groups, incentive groups . . . all evidence of the effect of the Celtic Tiger," he said.

In the United States, they refer to those migrating golfers from the north of the country and Canada down to the sunshine states as "snow birds". It seems we have our own version on this side of the Atlantic, the only difference being that Irish golfing explorers aren't afraid, it seems, to broaden their horizons.

Yet, Spain - number one - and Portugal - number two - remain the top choice of the Irish golfer, with most trips occurring in two distinct time-spans: firstly, from February to May, and secondly, from September to November. It's a very competitive market, with the different operators offering a wide range of packages, but it seems that the Irish golfing public's appetite to hit the golfing hotspots is more voracious than ever.