Palmerstown House GC

1916

In todays IT

Mansfields drop firm running golf course

AN ACCOUNTANCY firm hired by the Mansfield family to run its golf course at Palmerstown, Co Kildare, is considering legal action after it was unexpectedly dropped from the role yesterday.

Bridford Developments, a Mansfield family-controlled company, hired Landsdowne Francs in April 2010 for five years to turn around the loss-making course at Palmerstown.

However, it is understood that Landsdowne Francs was told yesterday its contract was terminated. The firm is now considering legal action to counter the move.

Palmerstown was losing about €1.6 million a year when the firm took over last year, and it is understood that has been cut to about €120,000, while trade has continued to improve.

Bookings at the course have more than doubled this year, and the business looked set to become profitable in the near future. It is understood the firm was given no reason for its sacking.

The business owes €12 million to Irish Nationwide, and it is understood the bank is concerned at the latest development.

Mr Mansfield bought Palmerstown, a former stud farm, earlier in the decade, and at one stage considered developing a Formula One motor race track in the estate, as well as a championship golf course.

The course hosted the Irish Region Championship in 2005 and the Irish Seniors Championship two years later, but had been losing money for a period after the recession hit.

Landsdowne Francs was originally involved with Mansfield in a consultancy role, before being hired to run the operation full time last year. The firm made a number of management changes after it was appointed.

Neither Bridford nor the Mansfield family commented yesterday. The company itself is listed for strike-off by the Companies’ Registration Office, a sanction that generally applies for failure to make returns on time.

It emerged last week that another important family firm, Parkes Associates, is also listed for strike-off.

Mr Mansfield was estimated to be worth about €500 million at the height of the property boom. He developed the Citywest golf, hotel and conference centre in Saggart in Co Dublin. He and his fellow directors, who are members of his family, were forced to place the company that controls the centre, HSS, in liquidation.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2011/0330/1224293354649.html

Anatom

Yeah, saw that this morning. I wonder does that just mean they're going to run it themselves and are reducing costs by taking out the current managers? €12m isn't an insurmountable debt by today's standards and given the state their bank is in, they'll surely be facilitated in whatever restructuring they need to get on with...

In fact, for the first time in ages, I actually saw people playing on the course while driving by it on Monday evening. I pass that place twice a day and I had hardly ever seen anyone on it at all.

Still, its a great course (albeit a savage long walk, especially between greens and tees) and I wish whoever ends up running it all the best.

bogmanfan

Played it yesterday for the first time. Some fantastic holes. Hopefully it stays open

ssbob

Was hoping to play it in May, heading to Dublin for the UEFA cup final and was gonna stop there on the way up. Will wiat and see I suppose.

Turbulent times in the world of business and banking though.

thegen

bogmanfan wrote: »

Played it yesterday for the first time. Some fantastic holes. Hopefully it stays open

Played there myself yesterday. Fairways need a bit of growth, otherwise in great shape. Seriously good course.

CaptainPendulum

Played it myself when it was run as a PGA course. Nice course and in great nick but felt very "manufactured". I remember teeing off on one hole - the fairway was elevated and there was plenty water. The adjacent field was as flat as a pancake and full of cows!

PhilipMarlowe

I played it recently and the fairways were very tight alright, a bit too bare for the winter.
I actually thought it looked better/more natural than the other time I've played there which was in the summer - probably due to too much fancy planting? It's still got an overly manufactured feeling but it's a fine day's golf for $50... that 50 included a pint (rock shandy) and a grill. The grill was pretty pathetic really - 1 rasher or something... plenty of 'plate' visible on the plate let's say
The cost difference between it and a decent effort would be measured in a few cents but the result was an overall impression of cheapness.

WHIP IT!

Lisa Palmerstown wrote: »

Its true it is a fantanstic golf course but it may not stay that way without up keep and maintanence whicj i am unsure will happen in the coming weeks.

Many key staff members have left with lansdown francs, including myself. We had no choice.

We did all the hard work building the place back up after it was due to close in 2009.

I don't see how the place can run without key staff or more inportantly with money or stock.

We are all devastated.

Sorry to hear that Lisa. Played there last Monday week with six other pals. We had three freebies and split the four green fees between the seven of us. It was €49 for a green fee and that included a pint and a grill. Each greenfee was also given another voucher to be used with a four ball another time - quite good value and we were met with a very warm welcome and a lovely golf course. Hope it sticks around and the people who have been let go find further employment asap.

sector

God thats awful to hear, was looking forward to getting up there this summer now I don't want to. I'm a member next door since 2009 and have work contacts that were given, well lets say very good membership options to bring in new business. probably your idea too (a great idea), upsetting to hear this. Was in Carton today, seemed quiet on course anyway.

heavyballs

have just booked a company outing for the course over the easter w-end:eek:,also playing there on Sunday..... i hope

i have to say the staff member i dealt with (Tina) was a pleasure and couldn't do enough for us
terrible news altogether

WHIP IT!

heavyballs wrote: »

have just booked a company outing for the course over the easter w-end:eek:,also playing there on Sunday..... i hope

i have to say the staff member i dealt with (Tina) was a pleasure and couldn't do enough for us
terrible news altogether

Yep, same as that, think it was Tina who I dealt with and she couldn't have been nicer.

Rathcoole

Fook - I have a company outting booked there and my wedding is booked there for later this year.
Wonder why that means for Me????

heavyballs

Rathcoole wrote: »

Fook - I have a company outting booked there and my wedding is booked there for later this year.
Wonder why that means for Me????

played there today, i'll give you some info on what went on last week if you want,not keen on posting it on an open forum

WHIP IT!

heavyballs wrote: »

played there today, i'll give you some info on what went on last week if you want,not keen on posting it on an open forum

Ah go on!

heavyballs

WHIP IT! wrote: »

Ah go on!

feck ya,that pm wasn't for you ya sneaky git

billy3sheets

Played here today for 1st time. Fabulous course. Lots of water and bunkers in play. Greens great. Fairways a bit tight in places ok but overall a great experience.
Got a bit of a surprise when the pro told me it was "cash only". Lucky I had a bit of cash with me or it would have been embarrassing esp with a guest. Had to text other guests on the way to advise them.
Generally the building & interior looked very impressive. I really hope they stay open. I would definitely return there.

awful

Hi, is palmerstown still open? I have emailed a couple of times and my mails were returned unread - I am just looking to book a fourball and the course looks good.

WH BONNEY

Yes it is open. Try the Alexander Graham Bell.