Ardglass wins golf award due to 20% growth

Ardglass Golf Club in Northern Ireland has been named as Ireland’s ‘Links Golf Course of the Year 2011’ following a 20 per cent increase in business.

The award, handed out by minister for arts, heritage and the gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, was accepted by club captain Cormac MacMullan in front of an audience of golf industry professionals and celebrities at a Irish Golf Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) ceremony at Thomond Park Stadium in Limerick.

The accolade recognisees the investment Ardglass has made in the golf course and general product offering in the past year, which has resulted in a 20 per cent increase in business in 2011 from 2010.

Ardglass Golf Club treasurer Brian McMullan said: “This award is a really important boost for the club. We are deeply honoured to accept it on behalf of the club and its members. According to a recent survey by the IGTOA they are handling over 40,000 golfers who come to Ireland each year contributing to £40 million high yield business for industry partners and suppliers. Ardglass can now capitalise on this market being among the best of the courses the IGTOA has to offer. Our growth target for 2012 is a further 30 per cent on the current growth we are experiencing during 2011.”

Debbie Turley, club Manager, added: “Despite the economic difficulties the club has continued to develop not only our golf course but our hospitality, packages and the overall offering. We currently have visitors from as far away as Australia, America and Japan coming to Ardglass. Bringing such a range of tourists into the area not only benefits the club but the whole County Down tourism and hospitality sectors.”

Ardglass Golf Club is also a member of North & West Coast Links Ireland, a group of 11 links golf courses in the world. At the last International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) convention, the group was named ‘European Golf Destination of the Year 2011’.