Whilst the annual golf classic has been a constant in Shannon Chamber’s annual calendar of events and is eagerly awaited each year, members savoured an addition to the social events’ schedule last week when they played a mini competition and had their golfing assessed at Dromoland Castle Golf Course.
The event, which was organised by Carr Golf on behalf of Dromoland Castle, saw 5 teams, each comprising 3 Chamber members led by a member of the Dromoland team, test their skills around 5 holes, putting the tuition they received from Connaught Golf’s Ian Kearney into practice.
Commenting about the event, Shannon Chamber’s CEO Helen Downes said: “This was the first such fun evening we have held with the team at Dromoland Castle and by all accounts, it was a great success. While not a golfer myself, I know it was a formula that worked; tips on golfing strokes and putting followed by a few holes of golf in a competitive mode and finishing off with food and networking. The feedback on the facilities offered by Dromoland Castle golf was that the course was brilliant, the golf buggies hi-tech and the hospitality amazing.”
Course superintendent and Ennis native Paul Coleman outlined the work that has been done on the course over the past twelve months: “To assist in keeping the fairways and green surrounds dry throughout the year, we apply approximately 800 tonnes of sand annually to supplement the drainage system. We recently purchased a fleet of new golf buggies as well as two 6-seater guest transfer vehicles. The state-of the-art buggies are the most modern in Ireland and are all equipped with the latest Visage GPS technology, which not only improves the overall golf experience but also allows us to monitor and control where the buggies are driven.
“Last year, we invested over €600K into the course. Approximately 7km of tarmacadam pathways were laid right the way around the course and we replaced the course furniture: bins, ball washers, tee markers and yardage markers etc. The golf academy, which was opened in 2006, includes 9 automated driving bays (8 right and 1 left handed), 2 x 500 sq. meter grass teeing areas, teaching room and a short-game area comprising of 2 x 500 sq. meter greens for putting and chipping. The driving area is lit up at night time by a unique lighting system produced by Abacus Lighting. It delivers a much less harsh light that faces away from the golfer but allows him/her to follow their golf ball all the way. We also have a links’ style pot bunker, modelled on the famous road hole bunker at St. Andrews Links.
Complimenting Dromoland Castle Hotel managing director Mark Nolan on organising such an enjoyable evening for Chamber members, Ms Downes added: “It is clearly obvious that the team at Dromoland are very enthusiastic about their golf product and that every cent they spend is aimed at improving the overall golf experience and making Dromoland Castle Golf the best it can be for local and visiting golfers and, delivering a high-quality tourism and leisure product.”
