The European Club and The K Club capture top Golfers Guide to Ireland awards
Pictured at the Golfers Guide to Ireland 2017 Awards was Bernard Durkin, TD, Pat Ruddy, The European Club, which won Best Links Overall, Ger Humphreys, Tipperary Crystal and Paddy McCarthy, Portside Media. Picture: Orla Murray
The K Club and The European Clubs captured the Best Parkland and Links categories in the 2017 Golfers Guide to Ireland Awards.
The results were announced at a function held in Carton House Hotel on January 17 with more than 100 golf club and golf sector interests in attendance.
Guest of honour Bernard Durkan T.D. presented the awards which recognise leadership roles played by individual Irish golf clubs and associated Irish golf interests on the island of Ireland.
These included awards for best overall and provincial parklands and links, golf club managers, hidden gems, golf resorts and hotels and restaurants specialising in golf travel and tourism.
Each of the winners received a specially commissioned piece of Tipperary Crystal in recognition of their achievement.
All awards were won on the basis of an all Ireland poll undertaken from within the golf and golf related business community.
Mr. Durkan said a recent Failte Ireland golf tourism report revealed that over 163,000 visitors played golf while here and accounted for over €200m in revenue.
Pictured at the Golfers Guide to Ireland 2017 Awards was Bernard Durkin, TD, Brian Murphy, The K Club, Ger Humphreys, Tipperary Crystal, Sharon Smurfit, The K Club which won the Best Parkland Awards, Overall Parkland and Paddy McCarthy, Portside Media. Picture: Orla Murray
He noted the Confederation of Golf in Ireland’s work within the sector which headlines a commitment to identify and agree golf sector priorities, and gain acceptance by all interests to commit to achieving common goals.
The age profile of golf club members, for example, is a matter of major concern. Competition between all sport disciplines in the recruitment of young players, while healthy in every respect, puts a priority on introducing and holding young golf club members within the golfing community.
He noted the Confederation under its Team Ireland Golf scheme had meant that 12 young aspiring golfers were assisted in 2016.
Brody Gordon with Monica O'Byrne, representing Carton House, which won Best Golf Resort Award, Leinster. Also pictured. Bernard Durkin, TD and Paddy McCarthy, Portside Media. Picture: Orla Murray
The 2017 applicants for support under this scheme are currently in the process of assessment and expressed the view that while golf is a sporting past time, it can also be seen as a career choice, with much to offer and interest the younger golfer.
Paddy McCarthy, Director of the Golfers Guide to Ireland, said the successes achieved by the current crop of Irish professional superstars continues to headline the Ireland golf brand where ever golf is played.
The K Club was centre of attention for the 2016 Irish Open in May, won in dramatic fashion by Rory McIlroy with Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington and Paul Dunne leading the Irish challenge.
“With so many positives at all levels, it is a privilege to recognise individual achievement by those involved in the grass roots of our industry,” he said.
Pictured at the Golfers Guide to Ireland 2017 Awards were Brody Gordon, Karl Cullen, Faithlegg which won Best Golf Resort Munster, Bernard Durkin, TD and Paddy McCarthy, Portside Media. Picture: Orla Murray
Golfers Guide to Ireland 2017 - Winners
Club Manager Award
- Matt Sands, Cork Golf Club
Hotel Awards
- Golf Resort Manager— William Kirby, Lough Erne
- Best Golf Hotel — The Conrad
- Best Boutique Hotel— Bushmills Inn
Best Golfers Restaurant
- Leinster — Hugo’s at Druids Glen Resort
- Munster — Tony’s Sandtrap at McSweeney Arms Hotel
- Connaught — Tra Ban, Sligo
- Ulster — Percy French at Slieve Donard
Hidden Gem Awards
- Leinster — Bunclody
- Munster — Kinsale
- West/Northwes — Strandhill
- Ulster — Balmoral
Best Golf Resort Awards
- Leinster — Carton House
- Munster — Faithlegg
- West/North West — Glasson
- Ulster — Roe Park
- Overall — Trump International
Best Parkland Awards
- Leinster — Hermitage
- Munster — Killarney
- Connaught —Westport
- Ulster — Belvoir Park
- Overall Parklands — The K Club
Best Links Awards
- Leinster — Portmarnock
- Munster — Lahinch
- Connaught — County Sligo
- Ulster — Portstewart
- Overall Links — The European Club
