Industry recognition for local golf personalities

Now in its 27th year, the Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA) celebrated in style with its annual conference and Gala Awards at the Radisson Hotel and Spa in Sligo and the annual golf day at County Sligo Golf Club.

At the end of a long season for the Irish golf industry this conference brings product providers and sellers from all types of businesses, and from every region of Ireland who work with golf tourism, together for networking, planning and a little bit of fun in between.

There was success on the double for two local courses who were recognised at the awards ceremony held last Monday week, October 21. General Manager of Enniscrone Golf Club, Keith O’Neill, was named Manager of the Year by the IGTOA while Gerry Maguire, chairman of Carne Golf Links in Belmullet, was a hugely popular winner of the Service Excellence Award.

The IGTOA represents those companies involved in bringing in over €90m annually in golf tourism, primarily from the US, and works with Irish golf courses, including Enniscrone and Carne, to grow that business.

Enniscrone secretary, Gary Laird, said: “The award is great recognition of the endeavours and success achieved by Keith in promoting Enniscrone Golf Club as a premier destination for visitors both overseas and from Ireland and is richly deserved.

“On behalf of all at the club, the management committee congratulates Keith on the receipt of this prestigious award,” he added.

Carne, overlooking Blacksod Bay, was the last course designed by the legendary Eddie Hackett and many say he saved his best work until last. The new nine holes is now integrated with the back nine holes of the original Hackett course, providing a new integrated course routing – “The Wild Atlantic Dunes” course. Rated at number 12 in Ireland, over 20,000 rounds of golf are played each year at Carne, accounting for over €1m in green fees.

In his acceptance speech, Gerry Maguire complemented the team at Carne Golf Links, led by general manager, Fiona Togher. He referred to the many challenging times of the recession and coming through the pandemic but said there is a “terrific sense of community spirit and support from all in the area.” 

The networking day is always well attended but this year was oversubscribed and there were presentations from Sporting Insights, highlighting the over €93m in value IGTOA tour operator members bring in golf tourism to Ireland each year. Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland explained their golf strategies and overseas marketing activities and the conference finished with a presentation that spoke to the upcoming 2027 Ryder Cup, the plans being put in place and the value it can bring to the economy.

County Sligo Golf Club provided a tough challenge for those who took it on day two of the conference but they were made feel like very special visitors as they were transported to and from the course by helicopter courtesy of Executive Helicopters.

There was also a charitable element to the event this year with golfers afforded the opportunity to Play in Pink in aid of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute. There were those who took it to the max but everyone showed a flash of pink colour, bringing a fun element to the day with a special prize for the 'Most Pink Team' and they raised over €2,500 for the charity in the process Then there were the Gala Awards. These are much sought after and with over 200 people in attendance at the black-tie affair MC for the night Shane O’Donoghue led the applause and accolades for the various winners.