2nd Annual Dublin Golf Promotion Night

Kevinmarkham

Last year, Golf Ireland hosted their inaugural 'golf promotion' night in Dublin. It was promoted a bit 'softly softly' so there weren't vast crowds in attendance. Considering the prizes and giveaways that were available, it was all a bit muted. The big clubs were there (Mount Juliet, Ballyliffin, Headfort, Carne etc), the smaller clubs too (Esker Hills, Charlesland) along with hotels and various golf product companies... but footfall was definitely on the light side.

Golf Ireland have just launched the same event for this year, on Wednesday 6th November, in the Ballsbridge Hotel, Pembroke Road, Dublin 4, from 5pm to 9pm on Wednesday 6th November. This was formerly Jurys Hotel.

Entry is free and again there will be plenty of prizes as well as a host of offers. I reckon a group of Boardsies should arrange to meet up for it...

Almaviva

What is it though ?

Golfgraffix

It's an oppurtunity for golf clubs to show off their product, I guess aimed at attracting new members and societies.

Last year the prizes were many and very good. One prize was a years membership

We will be there with our little simulator for some fun all ate welcome to have a go.

First Up

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Last year, Golf Ireland hosted their inaugural 'golf promotion' night in Dublin. It was promoted a bit 'softly softly' so there weren't vast crowds in attendance. Considering the prizes and giveaways that were available, it was all a bit muted. The big clubs were there (Mount Juliet, Ballyliffin, Headfort, Carne etc), the smaller clubs too (Esker Hills, Charlesland) along with hotels and various golf product companies... but footfall was definitely on the light side.

Golf Ireland have just launched the same event for this year, on Wednesday 6th November, in the Ballsbridge Hotel, Pembroke Road, Dublin 4, from 5pm to 9pm on Wednesday 6th November. This was formerly Jurys Hotel.

Entry is free and again there will be plenty of prizes as well as a host of offers. I reckon a group of Boardsies should arrange to meet up for it...

Thanks Kevin
Softly softly is putting it mildly. It's a better kept secret than Angela Merkel's text messages.

kevgaa

Yeah wasn't very well publicized last year. I only went along to meet a friend and walked away with two fourballs with buggies. Two good days were had by me and my mates...

Kev.

ssbob

Would be great if something would happen like this down South.

Its always good to look at the whole market together, the stars really stand out!

Miley Byrne

I'd imagine a deal could be got for a Boards Society outing for next year lads.

ballyk

Thanks Kevin, I'll probably go along.

Ernest Oreo

Yes.
I think I will attend for a free fourball.
Is there a driving range there?

Kevinmarkham

Here's the list of clubs attending. As per last year, there are the big boys and the smaller clubs too. All through the evening they have the giveaways - a four ball for the K Club would impress your friends, wouldn't it!


Arklow Golf Club
Athlone Golf Club
Ballina Golf Club
Ballybofey and Stranorlar Golf Club
Ballyliffin Golf Club
Black Bush Golf Club
Blainroe Golf Club
Bundoran Golf Club
Carne Golf Links
Castle Barna Golf Club
Castlebar Golf Club
Castleisland Golf Club
Co Cavan Golf Club
Concra Wood Golf Club
Craddockstown Golf Club
DECGA
Donegal Golf Club
Dooks Golf Club
Dromoland Castle
Druids Glen
Dundalk Golf Club
Dundrum House Hotel
Galway Bay Golf Resort
Glen of the Downs Golf Club
Headfort Golf Club
Kenmare Golf Club
Kenmare Golf Club
Killeen Castle Golf Club
Knightsbrook Hotel Spa & Golf Resort
Luttrellstown Castle Resort
Narin & Portnoo
Newcastle West Golf Club
North & West Coast Links
Nuremore Hotel & Country Club
Powerscourt Golf Club
Radisson Blu Farnham Estate Hotel
Rathdowney Golf Club
Roganstown Golf Resort
Rosapenna Golf Resort
Royal Tara Golf Club
Slieve Russell Hotel
Strandhill Golf Club
The Heritage
The K-Club
Tullamore Golf Club
Westport Golf Club
Wicklow Golf Club



Ernest Oreo - Driving Range? I doubt it. Golf Graffix will have their simulator there so you can have a go at that.

nuts86

Anyone head into this? I'm not in Dublin but was trying to get the other half to go to it for me....

Anyone pick up any nice deals/prizes??

Dr_Colossus

nuts86 wrote: »

Anyone head into this? I'm not in Dublin but was trying to get the other half to go to it for me....

Anyone pick up any nice deals/prizes??

Just back from it. Mainly went to sound out BlackBush on their membership and see if they could cut me a deal for next year. Disappointed to discover that they seemed to be the only club from the list that didn't show up with their empty vacant stand.

Anyway good turn out of other clubs and spoke to a few just sounding them out on possible society rates for a small work society I'm in. A few clubs had raffle competitions for prizes such as four balls so entered those but didn't hear of any results. There was no presentations or announcements in the hour I was present.

A real downer to the evening is that the majority of the hotel parking is paid for with anything over 1/2 hour costing an exorbitant €4. Luckily got a free spot as otherwise it would have been a flying visit.

First Up

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Just back from it. Mainly went to sound out BlackBush on their membership and see if they could cut me a deal for next year. Disappointed to discover that they seemed to be the only club from the list that didn't show up with their empty vacant stand.

Anyway good turn out of other clubs and spoke to a few just sounding them out on possible society rates for a small work society I'm in. A few clubs had raffle competitions for prizes such as four balls so entered those but didn't hear of any results. There was no presentations or announcements in the hour I was present.

A real downer to the evening is that the majority of the hotel parking is paid for with anything over 1/2 hour costing an exorbitant €4. Luckily got a free spot as otherwise it would have been a flying visit.

I had a look in - and paid my €4 parking fee for the privilege. Can't say it was worth it. A low budget operation that didn't do much to excite. Only a few clubs made much effort to chat people up - Arklow and Headfort among them. The rest just sat there (or in some cases left an empty chair) . Minimal display material. A few people representing societies were engaged in conversation but it was all very low key and amateurish to be frank. A few American hotel guests wandered in and I don't think they will have gotten a good impression of Irish golf.
Disappointed that Failte Ireland couldn't deliver a better event. They are usually better than this.

Kevinmarkham

Slightly different to last year when there were freebies being given away all evening.

It's a tough event to call - I don't think anyone is yet quite sure what it should be and so the promotion and the efforts of the clubs have not been that focused. I expected it to be far busier after last year but the clubs I spoke to said that while footfall was no better the quality of the enquiries was better.

Shocking about the parking - and good to catch up with BallyK

ballyk

I headed in as well but it was late enough when I got there. Golfgraffix simulator was good and to hear their plans for further upgrades to come. Managed to hit the green with my shot but not that near the hole. If only my ceilings were higher I'd buy the product!

Given the time I arrived I only got chatting to a few clubs. People from Carne were very enthusiastic and the photos of the course were superb. It was good to meet Kevinmarkham there. I think a trip to the Atlantic Coast Golf Challenge might need to be planned next year.