A word from Head Greenkeeper Enda Murphy…

ENDA Murphy has worked at Killarney Golf Club since 1992 and took over the Head Green Keeper role in 2013. The courses have flourished under his watch and playing surfaces and presentation have improved every season to where the Killeen layout won Best Parkland Course in Ireland at last October’s IGTOA National Golf Awards.

“It’s a busy job and I’m fortunate that we have a great team here who do such great work,” said Enda.

Enhancing the course is always top of his agenda and recent winter projects are now coming to fruition, while more drainage and course features are also in the pipeline. Likewise, boosting the facilities and profile of Mahony’s Point is one of Enda’s main priorities for the future.

“You have to keep evolving as other top courses in Ireland do. One of our biggest challenges is the weather. The climate is changing and while it’s wetter and milder for longer, the recent cold spell was useful to the course in its own natural way.”

Enda believes people’s golfing expectations are far greater due to the profile and influx of golfing now shown on TV. This leaves players expecting the same product when they take to the course regardless of season or weather conditions.

“The expectancy definitely has increased and again this is part of the challenge as members are right to expect the best facilities. Equally challenging is the environmental aspect as we’re as much a wildlife conservation area as a golf course. My aim is to explore a more natural, environmentally friendly approach to the soil and the environment. This is the future for Killarney Golf Club,” Enda concluded.