GOLF CLUBS FEELING THE PINCH:PHILIP REID on the the belt-tightening in many Irish golf clubs as they struggle to invent new ways to secure new members - and keep old ones.
THE ROAR of the Celtic Tiger is dead, replaced these days by little more than a meek meow from the boom-time's kittens. Many are fighting for survival. And the belt-tightening in Irish golf clubs - many struggling to invent new ways to carry on - is much in evidence, with many clubs abolishing entrance fees for 2009 in an attempt to attract new members.
Maintaining a cash flow is the lifeblood for golf clubs, many of whom were spawned in the recent years of bulging wallets. However, even many traditional clubs are feeling the pinch of this latest economic downturn and those clubs - among them Dún Laoghaire, Malahide, Ballyliffin and Nenagh - with full memberships and closed doors to new members are very much the exception rather than the rule.
The impact of the recession on golf clubs is reflect in a nationwide survey carried out by The Irish Times, which shows:
* 95 per cent of clubs have membership available.
* 91 per cent of clubs have kept green fees at 2008 levels.
* 6 per cent of clubs have reduced green fees for 2009.
* 78 per cent of clubs have green fees for under €40.
* 60 per cent of clubs have introduced incentives to attract new members.
It's not all doom and gloom, admittedly. For golfers, it is very much a buyer's market with very attractive deals all around the country, be it in actually joining a club without having to part with up to five figures for entrance fees; or to cash in on reduced green fees at some of the country's top resort courses.
The biggest challenge facing clubs this year, it seems, is golfers not renewing their membership.
It is a trend that is affecting urban and rural clubs, while some city clubs also point out that members who played infrequently might be tempted to avail of the "distance memberships" offered by country clubs.
This is a throwback, in many ways, to the pre-Celtic Tiger days when it wasn't abnormal for a city dweller to have a handicap in a club a long way away from home.
The biggest decision that many clubs have taken for 2009 is to either abolish or reduce entrance fees, in order to entice new members. This is at a time when clubs everywhere are also fighting to hold on to existing cardholders.
As Damien Maguire, general manager of Waterford Golf Club, put it, "our greatest challenge is holding on to members who only play a small number of rounds per year. We are finding that some of these members are not rejoining and just paying a green fee with a member when they do play, which is only €20 here."
A number of clubs have taken the innovative move to create a new membership category for those new to golf, a so-called "beginner's membership" which is much reduced on the price of a full membership for the first year.
In this time of pay cuts and freezes and belt-tightening, clubs are facing the reality that retaining existing members and attracting new members comprise the biggest challenge . . . . although there is also a belief among many club administrators that the weather (and an overdue good summer and autumn) is also a factor in determining the traffic on their courses for the year.
Patrick Bradshaw, general manager of Blainroe, acknowledged, "There's a challenge to retain members who may have not used the club much in the past and are now re-evaluating their position.
"The other challenge is attracting new members, which is quite often the only development money available and without these funds some clubs will have to revert to the membership with something like a capital levy to even maintain capital items and replace course machinery."
He continued: "This is not the worst of it yet. Next year will be even tougher, as some clubs have failed to build any cash reserves and any losses incurred through (membership) resignations will begin to bite.
"I think there will be a refocus by a lot of players on how much their weekly golf costs and whether they should become green-fee-paying golfers rather than paying weekly through their sub."
Bradshaw's honest assessment is one other club administrators echo.
"The recession is hitting all areas of the business, some very competitive rates are now widely available. The exchange rates have affected overseas business, including travellers visiting from the North and the UK. We will have to fight for every cent of revenue, whilst keeping costs in line, especially the payroll," said Malahide Golf Club's Mark Gannon.
Avril Duggan, of Highfield Golf Club, agreed. "The biggest challenge is cash flow. We all have our work cut out for us this year," she said, adding: "We have had two bad summers so there was little extra to pad out the winters.
"Overheads are almost the same whether you are busy or quiet and we have always had a policy of being here and meeting our golfers. Nobody ever had to pay a green fee into a brown envelope here - there is always a personal touch and a cup of tea and turf fire."
As far as David Wright, the honorary secretary of Ballaghaderreen Golf Club is concerned, it is a fight for survival.
"Nine hole courses are usually upstaged by larger 18 hole courses, particularly for the youthful and affluent younger business people and for income from society outings," he said.
And they have come up with an innovative plan that would see golfers "sharing membership with other local nine hole courses, providing a greater variety of courses to pay for the same subscription . . . . this could lead also to sharing of course management facilities. As ever, we remain heavily weather dependent and another bad summer could spell disaster to the club's future," admitted Wright.
Eamonn Logue, the professional at Hilton Templepatrick, prefers to dispel some of the gloom.
"We firmly believe that transient golfer will always keep money aside for his hobby and cut back on other luxury items."
Such a positive attitude will find favour with many others involved in the golf industry, with Denis Kane, the chief executive of Druids Glen, remarking, "We are sensitive to the challenges that currently exist.
"We believe that golfers still want to play golf, possibly more in these times.
"We at Druids Glen must maintain the momentum and have changed our business model. We must continue to provide the quality golf course and high standards with better value than ever before."
He added: "Our mission for this year is, 'we will beat the recession by giving concessions with a great golf session . . . at Druids Glen'."
No doubt, many others in clubs around the country will hope to echo those sentiments as clubs fight to beat the recession.
Club Survey
We Asked?
1. Is membership currently available? If so, what is the entrance fee and how much is the annual subscription?
2. What are the cost of green fees?
3. Is there a reduction on green fees for 2009 compared to 2008?
4. Do you have any special incentives to attract new members?
5. What is the greatest challenge facing golf clubs this year?
ARKLOW GOLF CLUB, Co Wicklow
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €1,500.
2. Midweek (€40) Weekends (€50)
3. Same.
4. Existing members offered vouchers or reduction in annual subscription of €350 if new member recruited.
5. Existing members not renewing due to economic climate.
ASHBOURNE GOLF CLUB, Co Meath
1. Yes. Entrance fee €9,000 (can be paid over 10 years interest free).
2. Midweek (€40-€45) Weekends (€50)
3. Same.
4. Interest free scheme for payment of joining fee.
5. Retaining members.
ATHLONE GOLF CLUB, Co Roscommon
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €776.
2. Midweek (€35) Weekends (€40).
3. Same.
4. Entrance fee abolished and direct debit scheme to pay annual subscription over ten months.
5. Ageing membership and retaining existing membership.
AUGHNACLOY GOLF CLUB, Co Tyrone
1. Yes. Full (approximate €400-€430 for full, other categories reduced).
2. Midweek (£15) Weekends (£15)
3. Same.
4. Special offer to societies of a free country membership as a first prize to all groups with 20 or more players.
5. To maintain the status quo, ie membership and cash flow.
BALLAGHADERREEN GOLF CLUB, Co Roscommon
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €400/Distance membership €200.
2. Midweek (€20) Weekends (€20)
3. Same.
4. Discounts for seniors and beginners during the first two years and discounts for husband and wife.
5. Survival!
BALLYHAUNIS GOLF CLUB, Co Mayo
1. Yes. Entrance fee €70. Annual subscription €505.
2. Midweek (€20), Weekends (€20).
3. Same.
4. Introduction of 'Country member' at €170 and 'Distance member' (50 mile+) €175.
5. Declining membership numbers.
BALLYLIFFIN GOLF CLUB, Co Donegal
1. No (membership full, capped at 1,350 and a waiting list exists). Entrance fee €4,500. Annual subscription €601.
2. Old Links: Midweek (€75), Weekends (€80). Glashedy: Midweek (€80), Weekends (€85).
3. Same.
4. None.
5. The economic doom and gloom!
BEREHAVEN GOLF CLUB, Co Cork
1. Yes. Annual subscription €400.
2. Midweek (€20) Weekends (€25).
3. Same.
4. Distance membership (over 50 miles) for €200 (plus 20 GUI levy).
5. The weather!
BLAINROE GOLF CLUB, Co Wicklow
1. Yes. Entrance fee €14,500.
2. Midweek (€50) Weekends (€65).
3. Yes, a reduction of 5 midweek and 10 weekends.
4. Offering family of existing members a discount of 33 per cent of the entrance fee, a saving of €4,700.
5. Retaining members who may not have used club much in the past and are re-evaluating their position and, also, attracting new members.
BRAY GOLF CLUB, Co Wicklow
1. Yes. Entrance fees: full €15,000, five-day €9,000. Annual subscription €1,372/€823.
2. Midweek (€25-€50) Weekends (€60)
3. Same.
4. Five-year payment scheme for new members where they pay 50 per cent of entrance fee up front, remainder over five years (subject to four per cent charge).
5. Retaining existing members, and attracting new members particularly with many clubs moving towards no entrance fee.
CARRICK ON SHANNON, Co Leitrim
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €590.
2. Midweek (€40) Weekends (€45).
3. Same.
4. Introduction of new "beginner's membership" of €270 and "distance membership" of 195.
5. Keeping an eye on costs.
CASTLECOMER GOLF CLUB, Co Kilkenny
1. Yes. Entrance fee and annual subscription €1,000.
2. Midweek (€20) Weekends (€30).
3. Reduced from €35 and €40 in 2008.
4. Full membership reduced from €1,600 to €1,000 and introduction of phased payment of annual membership. Country membership available for €300 (must have full membership of another club).
5. Economy.
CASTLEROCK GOLF CLUB, Co Derry
1. Yes. Entrance fee £1,500. Annual subscription £500.
2. Midweek (£65) Weekends (£80). Reduced rate of £35 to golfers from other Irish clubs upon production of their GUI card.
3. Same (since 2007).
4. None.
5. With less disposable income, casual walk in golfers may be reduced in numbers.
CHRISTY O'CONNOR CLUB, Co Dublin
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €375 year one/€345 annually.
2. Midweek (€15/€20 ),Weekends(€20/€26 ).
3. Same.
4. None.
5. To ensure players get value for money.
CO CAVAN GOLF CLUB, Co Cavan
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €830/Distance Member €373.
2. Monday-Thursday (30) Friday-Sunday (35)
3. Same.
4. None.
5. Financial stability!
CO LONGFORD GOLF CLUB, Co Longford
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €755.
2. Midweek (€25) Weekends (€30).
3. A special green fee package including meal has been agreed at a reduced rate: — €25 weekdays / €30 including a meal for more than 20 people; — €30 weekends / €35 including a meal for more than 20 people.
4. Entrance fees abolished and new members get a free lesson with club professional.
5. Retaining membership.
CONNEMARA LINKS, Co Galway
1. Yes. Entrance fee €15,000. Annual subscription €634.
2. Midweek (€65) Weekends (€75) (May to September).
3. Same.
4. No.
5. The state of the economy.
CORK GOLF CLUB, Co Cork
1. Yes (two year waiting list). Entrance fee €13,500. Annual subscription €1,400.
2. Midweek (€85/ early bird rate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays of €50 to 10.30am). Weekend (€95).
3. Same (since 2005).
4. None.
5. Retaining members and holding on to green fees.
CO SLIGO GOLF CLUB, Co Sligo
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €982.
2. Midweek (€75) Weekends (€90).
3. Same.
4. No entrance fee for 2009.
5. Maintaining membership numbers and green fee revenue.
CROSSGAR GOLF CLUB, Co Down
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription £330; OAP and Five-day £210.
2. Midweek (£12) Weekends (£15).
3. Same.
4. Low priced membership.
5. To control costs to match reduced incomes.
CURRA WESTGOLF CLUB, Co Galway
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €300.
2. Midweek (€15) Weekend (€20)
3. Same.
4. Introduction of 'Distance Membership' for anyone living more that 50km from the club at the rate of €220 per annum.
5. Retaining existing members / recruiting new members
DINGLE GOLF CLUB, Co Kerry
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €700.
2. Midweek (€65) Weekends (€65).
3. Same.
4. Introduction of first year beginner membership for €350.
5. Attracting golfers . . . and reducing wages and overhead costs.
DOOKS GOLF CLUB, Co Kerry
1. Yes. Entrance fee €5,000. Annual subscription €450.
2. Midweek (€85) Weekends (€85).
3. Same.
4. Promotion drive, mainly through hotels.
5. Holding membership levels at the current rate as they are the financial backbone of the club.
DRUIDS GLEN/DRUIDS HEATH, Co Wicklow
1. Yes. Several categories available: the Annual Membership scheme at Druids Heath costs €1500 with no entrance fee and full individual membership at Druids Glen with an entrance fee of €50,000 with the annual sub being €2,690.
2. Druids Heath: Midweek/Weekwends (€60). Druids Glen: Midweek/Weekends (€90).
3. Reduction on summer rates by approximately 20 per cent on both Druids Glen & Druids Heath.
4. New annual membership scheme for Druids Heath (which was oversubscribed).
5. To provide the quality golf courses and high standards with better value than ever before.
DUNGARVAN GOLF CLUB, Co Waterford
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €725.
2. Midweek (€35) Weekends (€45).
3. Same.
4. Abolished entrance fee.
5. The weather and the decline in both membership renewals and new applicants.
DUN LAOGHAIRE GOLF CLUB, Co Dublin
1. Pavilion membership is currently open. There is no entrance fee for pavilion membership.
2. Midweek (€130). Group rates available.
3. Same.
4. None.
5. Pressure on green fee income in the current economic environment.
DUNMORE DEMESNE GOLF CLUB, Co Galway
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €200 (for first two years, €300 thereafter).
2. Midweek (€15), Weekends (€15).
3. Same.
4. No entry fee and reduced sub for first two years.
5. The recession!
EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB, Co Clare
1. Yes. Entrance fee €1,500. Annual subscription €666.
2. Midweek (€30) Weekends (€35)
3. Same (no chance since 2007).
4. Relatives of existing members can join for €1,000, inclusive of entrance fee and first year's subscription.
5. The weather . . . and costs of running the club.
THE EUROPEAN CLUB, Co Wicklow
1. Yes. Entrance fee €20,000 (plus VAT). Annual subscription €1,400.
2. €180 April-October. Group rates available.
3. Same.
4. None ("we are always attractive!").
5. Greatest challenge is to help Padraig Harrington to complete a treble of doubles in Irish PGA and British open!
FORREST LITTLE GOLF CLUB, Co Dublin
1. Yes. Entrance fee €8,000. Annual subscription €1,350.
2. Midweek (€50), Weekends (€50).
3. Same.
4. Yes.
5. Low cost distance membership clubs.
GALGORM CASTLE GOLF CLUB, Co Antrim
1. Yes. Entrance fee £280. Annual subscription £707.
2. Midweek (£35), Weekends (£45).
3. Same.
4. Reduced joining fees and a current member recruitment incentive.
5. The economic downturn will hurt membership, making it difficult for new corporate business and possibly reducing the numbers of casual golfer.
GALWAY GOLF CLUB, Co Galway
1. Yes. Entrance fee €10,000. Annual subscription €934.
2. Midweek (€50) Weekends (€60).
3. Same.
4. None.
5. Achieving green fee budgets and managing costs.
GLASSON GOLF CLUB, Co Westmeath
1. Yes. Full members €1,250, distance membership €750.
2. Midweek (€65) Weekends (€75)
3. Same.
4. New members who join in April will receive eight guest-of-member vouchers valued at €250. New distance members in April will receive vouchers valued at €125.
5. Avoiding the 'race to the bottom' by slashing prices so low that you're unable to maintain quality of the product and, also, getting balance right between cutting costs and attracting new business.
GLENMALURE GOLF CLUB, Co Wicklow
1. Yes. Annual subscription €640.
2. Midweek (€15) Weekends (€25)
3. Same.
4. An across the board promotion that offers membership for €640 for new male members, €140 for new lady members, €700 for husband and wife and €40 for new juveniles.
5. Collecting subscriptions!
GRANGE CASTLE GOLF CLUB, Co Dublin
1. Yes. Annual subscription €400 (reduced green fees Mon-Fri before 2.30pm of €16 and €22 Sat/Sun).
2. Midweek (€22) Weekends (€32).
3. Same.
4. None.
5. Filling the time sheets, Monday to Friday.
HAZEL GROVE GOLF CLUB, Co Dublin
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €800.
2. Midweek (€18) Weekend (€22).
3. Same.
4. Abolished entrance fee and allow annual sub to be paid in two instalments.
5Retaining existing and attracting new members.
THE HEATH GOLF CLUB, Co Laois
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €710.
2. Midweek (€25) Weekends (€35).
3. Increase of €5.
4. Abolished entrance fee.
5. Drop in income through loss of members and fall-off in green fee revenue.
HIBERNIAN GOLF CLUB, Co Dublin
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Membership options: (A) Pay as you Play at €300 per year; (B) €1,600 per year with no other charges.
2. Midweek (€35), Weekends (€45).
3. Same.
4. None.
5. Keeping members and generating income.
HIGHFIELD GOLF CLUB, Co Kildare
1. Yes. Entrance fee €100. Annual subscription €795.
2. Midweek (€30) Weekend (€40). Special society packages.
3. Same.
4. Reduction in entrance fee from €2,000 to €100 and introduction of "Club Privilege Card" offering ten per cent reduction throughout club facilities.
5. Cash flow . . . and the weather!
HILTON TEMPLEPATRICK GOLF CLUB, Co Antrim
1. Yes. Entrance fee £1,000. Annual subscriptions £850/£450 (depending on category).
2. Midweek (£50) Weekends (£50).
3. Increased the green fee from £45 to £50.
4. Existing members given incentives to introduce new members with the offer of golf shop vouchers.
5. Green fee revenue.
HOLLYSTOWN GOLF CLUB, Co Dublin
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual Subscription: Three Options — (A) €475 pay green fee each time you golf 25% discount on Green Fees; (B) €930 includes green fees Mon to Fri 25% discount on green fees at weekend; (C ) €1,375 includes green fees 7 days .
2. Midweek (€30) early bird before 10.30am (€22) Weekends (€40).
3. Same.
4. Monday Morning Special (8am to 11.30am): 2 ball €25/3 ball €30/4 ball €40.
5. The weather.
HOLYWOOD GOLF CLUB, Co Down
1. Yes. Entrance fee £375 (full)/£275 (six day).
2. Midweek (£25) Weekends(£29).
3. Same.
4. Offer of 75 per cent reduction on the entrance fee.
5. To control spending in the club and to retain membership numbers.
KENMARE GOLF CLUB, Co Kerry
1. Yes. Entrance fee €300. Annual subscription €525.
2. Midweek (€50 peak season) Weekends (€55 peak season).
3. Same.
4. Introduction of a 'beginners' membership' for 200 to entice people who have never played golf to try it out for a year and then the following year they will have to join as a full member and the 200 is deducted off the entrance fee of €300. We also have Country Membership now available for €295 per year.
5. Reduction of number of visitor green fees
KILREA GOLF CLUB, Co Derry
1. Yes. Entrance fee £50 (from 1st May). Annual subscription £345.
2. Midweek (£15) Weekends (£20).
3. Up five per cent for 2009.
4. None.
5. Retain active membership.
LETTERKENNY GOLF CLUB, Co Donegal
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription: full €570, senior €399, full (outside 80 miles) €325, country (outside 10 miles) €300, country (outside 50 miles) €175, overseas €150.
2. Midweek (€25), Weekends (€35)
3. Same.
4. Suspension of entrance fee and introduction of tailored rates of membership.
5. To increase visitor footprint and to attract new members.
MALAHIDE GOLF CLUB
1. No (waiting list). Entrance fee: Full €17,000/ 5-day €12,1250/Corporate €33,000. Annual subscription €1,440 for full member (includes €100 bar and restaurant levy).
2. Midweek (€60) Weekends (N/A ).
3. Same.
4. Not yet. Currently enjoy a wait list, but considering how long this will continue.
5. The recession is hitting all areas of the business. There are some very competitive rates now widely available and exchange rates have affected overseas business, including travellers visiting from the North and the UK.
MILLICENT GOLF CLUB, Co Kildare
1. Yes. Entrance fee €12,500 (redeemable share). Annual subscription €942.
2. Sunday-Friday (€30) Saturday (€45).
3. Yes, Sunday has been reduced from 50 to 30 and weekdays from 35 to 30. Saturday has been reduced from €50 to €45.
4. None.
5. Ensuring costs are kept at a sustainable level.
MOUNTAIN VIEW GOLF CLUB, Co Kilkenny
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €550.
2. Midweek (€18) Weekends (€18).
3. Yes. (Reduced €2 Weekdays, €7 Weekends & Bank Holidays)
4. Groups of 15+ €15PP. Groups of 15+ golf/main course €25PP (Monday to Sunday).
5. Keeping up our society and green fee numbers.
MOYOLA PARK GOLF CLUB, Co Derry
1. Yes. Entrance fee £824 (can be paid over three years). Annual subscription £614.
2. Midweek (£24), Weekends (£30).
3. Same (since 2007).
4. None.
5. If membership numbers drop, then replacing the lost income.
NAVAN GOLF CLUB, Co Meath
1. Yes. Entrance fee €2,999. Annual subscription €750. (Also annual membership available: 7-day €1,300, 5-day €500)
2. Midweek (€22) Weekends (€25).
3. Same.
4. Introduction of annual membership categories.
5. The economy!
PORTUMNA GOLF CLUB, Co Galway
1. Yes. Entrance fee €400 (payable over two years). Annual subscription €470.
2. Midweek (€30) Weekends (€35).
3. Same.
4. Entrance fee was reduced from €840 in 2008 to 400 in 2009.
5. Reduction in overseas visitors, so aim is to increase share of the home market.
RATHSALLAGH GOLF CLUB, Co Wicklow
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €1,654.
2. Midweek (€45-€60) Weekend (€50-€75).
3. Yes, between 10-20 per cent.
4. Introduction of new "Nominated Membership" with no entrance fee and annual subscription of €1,654 which includes 18-hole playing lesson with PGA professional Brendan McDaid Golf Academy, €100 food and beverage vouchers and member guests green fee passes.
5. There's oversupply in the golf market, with a massive decline in revenue from golf tourism.
RING OF KERRY GOLF CLUB, Co Kerry
1.Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription: Individual Membership — €695 (Special Promotion for 2 players/friends joining at the same time they can pay only €500 each); Family Membership — €995; Junior Membership — €75; Ladies 'Thursday Only' Membership — €200.
2. Midweek (€60), Weekends(€60).
3. Same.
4. Special Promotion for Individual Membership — 2 players/friends joining at the same time pay a reduced joining fee of only €500 each). Six-month summer membership (1st April – 30th September) €450.
5. Clubs need to all come together and significantly reduce green fee rates, so as to kick start interest in the sport and, indeed, Ireland again.
ROSAPENNA GOLF LINKS, Co Donegal
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €695.
2. Old Tom Morris links: Midweek/Weekends (€60). Sandy Hills Links: Midweek/Weekends (€85).
3. Same (group discounts).
4. Abolished entrance fee and reduced annual subscriptions.
5. Attracting visitors, especially with the lack of American visitors.
ROSSMORE GOLF CLUB, Co Monaghan
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual membership €665/Distance membership €380.
2. Midweek (€30) Weekends (€40)
3. Same.
4. Abolished entrance fee.
5. Holding on to members.
ROUNDWOOD GOLF CLUB, Co Wicklow
1. Yes. No entrance fee. Annual subscription €1,400.
2. Midweek (€45). Weekends (€58).
3. Same (special discounts available).
4. Abolished entrance fee.
5. The potential fall-off in society/corporate income.
ROYAL COUNTY DOWN GOLF CLUB, Co Down
1. Membership is by invitation only (subscription and entrance fee are confidential).
2. May-October: Midweek (£160 am/£145 pm) Weekends (£180)
3. Same.
4. None.
5. Downturn in visitor numbers, which will have financial implications as it will across all clubs.
RUSH GOLF CLUB, Co Dublin
1. Yes. Entrance fee €7,500. Annual subscription €1,200.
2. Midweek (€36) Weekends (N/A ).
3. Same.
4. Offer to phase entrance fee over three years.
5. The loss of the valuable club golfer, who paid sub every year but who hasn't rejoined this year.
SKERRIES GOLF CLUB, Co Dublin
1. Yes. Entrance fee: Full €10,000/Five-day €5,000. Annual subscription €983/€592.
2. Midweek (€50) Weekends (€60). Discounts for groups.
3. Yes, green fees reduced by between €10-€20.
4. None.
5. Retaining green fee income and reducing overheads.
SLADE VALLEY, Co Dublin
1. Yes. Entrance fee €3,000. Annual subscription €1,425.
2. Midweek (€35) Weekends (€40).
3. Same.
4. Entrance fee reduced to €3,000 with first year subscription free.
5. To maintain income base on all fronts
STACKSTOWN GOLF CLUB, Co Dublin
1. Yes. Entrance fees: €8,000 full/€6,000 six-day/€4,000 five-day. Annual subscription €1,200/€1,000/€750.
2. Midweek (€30) Weekends (€40).
3. Same.
4. Reduced entrance fees and new category of six-day.
5. To manage cash flow and not to depend on entrance fees for the day to day running of the club.
ST HELEN'S BAY, Co Wexford
1. Entrance fee €1,000. Annual subscription €880 (sister club Tuskar Rock Golf Course 9-holes, no entrance fee, Annual subscription €420).
2. Midweek (€20-€30) Weekends (€40-€50).
3. Same. Discounts for societies.
4. Reduction in entrance fee from €2,500 to €1,000.
5. Decline in memberships and high costs.
WATERFORD GOLF CLUB, Co Kilkenny
1. Yes. Entrance fee €2,000. Annual subscription €990.
2. Midweek (€40) Weekends and Bank Holidays (€50). Group reductions.
3. Same (since 2004).
4. Allow entrance fee to be pain in stages.
5. Holding on to members who only play a small number of rounds per year.
WEXFORD GOLF CLUB, Co Wexford
1. Yes. Entrance Fee €3,900. Annual subscription €884 (inclusive of €100 beverage levy).
2. Midweek (€40) Weekends (€45).
3. Same.
4. Newly redesigned course and new clubhouse.
5. Maintaining existing members, attracting new members.
