We’re not all in this together apparently

AT this stage, everybody is aware of how the current Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on golf in general, and more importantly on the golf tourism season, which has all but been wiped out with the absence of the thousands of overseas and, in particular, American golfers, who visit our shores on an annual basis.

In an effort to salvage some revenue from the season, golf courses all over Ireland have been offering some very attractive rates to Irish golfers who are in some cases getting a once in a lifetime opportunity to play our top courses at affordable prices and many have taken this opportunity to book golf holidays at home this year rather than head for the usual golfing meccas of Spain, Portugal or even further afield like Florida or South Carolina.

Many of Ireland’s top courses are offering attractive “Stay & Play” packages in conjunction with local accommodation providers, while other courses like the Old Head of Kinsale are offering a rate that is almost 70% less than its usual green fee.

However, I’m led to believe that it’s a different story north of the border, even though we are all members of the one union.

Golf clubs on the island of Ireland are governed by the GUI and ILGU (soon to amalgamate) but apparently not when it comes to green fee offers.

I have been informed that a group of golfers from Kerry went north last week for a golfing trip to play some of the better-known courses which were offering some great value on green fee rates, but when attempting to book golf at two such venues, they were told that the rates applied to people living in the six counties only, and not to those from south of the border.

Fair enough, that’s their prerogative, but perhaps they should state that in their advertising, and I haven’t heard of any courses down south with such a policy in place.