Affordable Memberships Meath/Cavan Area

dan_ep82

I know there are currently a few threads on memberships at the minute but covers a different area so it may be of help to others.

Currently looking at joining a club for 2014.

Living in Meath so Cavan,Louth,Westmeath etc are within reach.

Now for the harder part,
We (my brother and I) are looking for something a bit more affordable and have been looking at distance and 5 day memberships for sub €400.

We were looking at Rathcore (€400 5 day) and County Meath Golf Club (Intermediate Membership €450) in Meath.

For Cavan Farnham Estate ( €250 distance) and County Cavan ( €333 Distance)

We've yet to play any of them but we both prefer parkland courses. Which of the above would be the better course,or in order?

And is there any we are overlooking?
I've emailed the Headfort in kells to see if they do 5 day, I'm literally 3 mile away so it would be ideal.

We're both beginners if that helps,

Thanks,
Dan

baboo800

Have only played the front nine of the Farnham and it was a nice course,except for the first hole where you hit your tee shot over a road.when I played there we were waiting for 20mins for a wedding to pass.

I used to be a member in cavan and it is a very nice course.My only problem is that it is very wet and doesn't take water well at all.The members are very welcoming,there are good practice facilities and the greens are very smooth and run out well.The final four holes in cavan is one of the toughest finishes to a course that I've played and are real card wreckers.

Barnaboy

Have you looked at Delvin Castle?

dan_ep82

Barnaboy wrote: »

Have you looked at Delvin Castle?

We haven't had a chance to play there yet and pictures of the course seem hard to find. Whats it like?

baboo800 wrote: »

Have only played the front nine of the Farnham and it was a nice course,except for the first hole where you hit your tee shot over a road.when I played there we were waiting for 20mins for a wedding to pass.

I used to be a member in cavan and it is a very nice course.My only problem is that it is very wet and doesn't take water well at all.The members are very welcoming,there are good practice facilities and the greens are very smooth and run out well.The final four holes in cavan is one of the toughest finishes to a course that I've played and are real card wreckers.

So Farnham is kind of a hotel first and golf course second? I understand if its that way (more profit) just curious?

We like a bit of a challenge as it pushes us to be better and think a bit more before swinging a club but it would depend on how severe they are I suppose.

Would Cavan have a more secluded feel then?

Barnaboy

dan_ep82 wrote: »

We haven't had a chance to play there yet and pictures of the course seem hard to find. Whats it like?

Never played it myself but I heard that it's decent enough for the price you pay. A limited number of pics here: http://www.mygolfsociety.ie/golf-courses/delvin-castle-golf-club

thoscon

Rathcore 3 day membership is good value. It's around €239 .the 3 days are mon,tues & wed.next year well have open singles every wed and some team events on Tuesdays during each
Month .theres always comps on bank holiday Mondays aswell

dan_ep82

thoscon wrote: »

Rathcore 3 day membership is good value. It's around €239 .the 3 days are mon,tues & wed.next year well have open singles every wed and some team events on Tuesdays during each
Month .theres always comps on bank holiday Mondays aswell

I seen that but no doubt we'd have time to play at the end of the week meaning we would end up playing green fee's. Guarantee you it'd rain on mon,tues and wed and be dry friday and thurs lol

dan_ep82

Barnaboy wrote: »

Never played it myself but I heard that it's decent enough for the price you pay. A limited number of pics here: http://www.mygolfsociety.ie/golf-courses/delvin-castle-golf-club

Thanks,
I might tip out that way just for a quick look this week

baboo800

dan_ep82 wrote: »

We haven't had a chance to play there yet and pictures of the course seem hard to find. Whats it like?



So Farnham is kind of a hotel first and golf course second? I understand if its that way (more profit) just curious?

We like a bit of a challenge as it pushes us to be better and think a bit more before swinging a club but it would depend on how severe they are I suppose.

Would Cavan have a more secluded feel then?

The Farnham would be more of a hotel first .Cavan is a challenging but fair course.If you put the ball in the right place you will be rewarded but if you are in trouble there isn't really anywhere to bail out and you just have to take your medicine.If I had the choice between the two I would pick cavan but that's just me.

sydneybound

Cavan is a terrible course don't even think of joining. Sorry don't mean to cause offence to anyone but I played it many times and the words bland and wet are constant reminders of the place.

Farnham Estate is a much better course then Cavan, so between the two I'd go for that. The tee boxes and greens are immense at the Farnham and they've done loads of work on the drainage. That said its a tough track, an examination of golf. I know people give out about the walking but if your anyways fit you'll be grand.

That said the best course in Cavan is the Slieve Russell but distance membership might be out of your budget at €650. One thing Sean made sure to do was build a good golf course!

In Meath you've got Headfort, Royal Tara, Blackbush, Knightbrook, Rathcore, Co. Meath and Navan. I'd pick them in that order too as I'm not a of Rathcore but others rave about the place.

dan_ep82

sydneybound wrote: »

Cavan is a terrible course don't even think of joining. Sorry don't mean to cause offence to anyone but I played it many times and the words bland and wet are constant reminders of the place.

Farnham Estate is a much better course then Cavan, so between the two I'd go for that. The tee boxes and greens are immense at the Farnham and they've done loads of work on the drainage. That said its a tough track, an examination of golf. I know people give out about the walking but if your anyways fit you'll be grand.

That said the best course in Cavan is the Slieve Russell but distance membership might be out of your budget at €650. One thing Sean made sure to do was build a good golf course!

In Meath you've got Headfort, Royal Tara, Blackbush, Knightbrook, Rathcore, Co. Meath and Navan. I'd pick them in that order too as I'm not a of Rathcore but others rave about the place.

I'm waiting on a reply from Headfort and R.Tara. Black Bush is too expensive as is knoghtsbrook. Navan don't have this year coming prices up yet.

* We don't mind walking,we're young enough not to complain about it too much lol

Macker1

How about Kilcock..... Nice track and friendly membership from what I have experienced anytime I've played there.

sydneybound

dan_ep82 wrote: »

* We don't mind walking,we're young enough not to complain about it too much lol

Then the €250 for the Farnham is the deal for you providing getting up there isn't too difficult.

Played there often on Saturdays and Sundays and its never over run with people on the course. The members have times I gather and even after them you'll get out easy.

Although its a tough course it's very playable for beginners. Play off the yellow tees and you'll be grand.

mag

rathcore has the best course of those, and i say that as a member of co meath which has a very good club though - pro, teams, facilities, members, etc.. pm me if you have any questions on it

dan_ep82

Macker1 wrote: »

How about Kilcock..... Nice track and friendly membership from what I have experienced anytime I've played there.

Do they have a 5 day membership? At 850 its out of our league for full time.

sydneybound wrote: »

Then the €250 for the Farnham is the deal for you providing getting up there isn't too difficult.

Played there often on Saturdays and Sundays and its never over run with people on the course. The members have times I gather and even after them you'll get out easy.

Although its a tough course it's very playable for beginners. Play off the yellow tees and you'll be grand.

Its about an hour away which is do able once a week. We were planning on making it Navan once a week and then the club we join the other day so this news of it closing down kind of puts a spanner in the works. The other course we play is Moor Park but it isn't GUI affiliated.

Is there many hazards etc or is it just more about course management?

dan_ep82

mag wrote: »

rathcore has the best course of those, and i say that as a member of co meath which has a very good club though - pro, teams, facilities, members, etc.. pm me if you have any questions on it

I might think of a few later but for now, why do you think its the better one?

Macker1

dan_ep82 wrote: »

Do they have a 5 day membership? At 850 its out of our league for full time.



Thats a pity,it was a nice round on a Monday for €5 and 15 minutes away



Its about an hour away which is do able once a week. We were planning on making it Navan once a week and then the club we join the other day so this news of it closing down kind of puts a spanner in the works. The other course we play is Moor Park but it isn't GUI affiliated.

Is there many hazards etc or is it just more about course management?

Not Sure about membership options. Its cheaper than €850 trust me.... make an enquiry at proshop. My understanding is that a deal would be done if a group were looking to join.

thoscon

dan_ep82 wrote: »

Do they have a 5 day membership? At 850 its out of our league for full time.



Thats a pity,it was a nice round on a Monday for €5 and 15 minutes away



Its about an hour away which is do able once a week. We were planning on making it Navan once a week and then the club we join the other day so this news of it closing down kind of puts a spanner in the works. The other course we play is Moor Park but it isn't GUI affiliated.

Is there many hazards etc or is it just more about course management?

How much does Betty charge for 18 in moor park these days

dan_ep82

thoscon wrote: »

How much does Betty charge for 18 in moor park these days

€10 to everyone on weekdays,€15 on the weekend.

We go quite regular so she feeds us and tells us to play on as much as we want

dan_ep82

Macker1 wrote: »

Not Sure about membership options. Its cheaper than €850 trust me.... make an enquiry at proshop. My understanding is that a deal would be done if a group were looking to join.

Thanks,I'll give them a ring to see if its within budget.

thoscon

dan_ep82 wrote: »

€10 to everyone on weekdays,€15 on the weekend.

We go quite regular so she feeds us and tells us to play on as much as we want

Wat kind of condition is it these days ? Was in bad shape last time I played there

dan_ep82

thoscon wrote: »

Wat kind of condition is it these days ? Was in bad shape last time I played there

Good. Its kept well. The fairways are cut a bit tight but other than that I think its in great condition for what the price of the round is.

mag

dan_ep82 wrote: »

I might think of a few later but for now, why do you think its the better one?

variety, greens, difficulty, entertainment

in fairness, you would need to play both yourself as this is just imho

ssbob

@Macker1 Please leave the bold text to the moderators.

@thoscon until you can provide a link or can give first hand knowledge of a course being in trouble please do not speculate on here!

charlieIRL

ssbob wrote: »

@Macker1 Please leave the bold text to the moderators.

@thoscon until you can provide a link or can give first hand knowledge of a course being in trouble please do not speculate on here!

I've hid those posts for now until we get more info on them, we don't want to be fueling rumours here.

Macker1

ssbob wrote: »

@Macker1 Please leave the bold text to the moderators.

@thoscon until you can provide a link or can give first hand knowledge of a course being in trouble please do not speculate on here!

Apologies about bold text. It was a mistake when posting.

dan_ep82

Macker1 wrote: »

Not Sure about membership options. Its cheaper than €850 trust me.... make an enquiry at proshop. My understanding is that a deal would be done if a group were looking to join.

I just gave them a ring there now and while plans could be to have different types of membership packages none are currently available except Full Membership. The Pro was dead on though and advised I sent an email to see if anything could be offered and said to call down for a round to try it out for, that way I took him up, for free with a guide to the club.

GreeBo

Charter Updated to reflect Rumour.

Eoinyh

dan_ep82 wrote: »

I just gave them a ring there now and while plans could be to have different types of membership packages none are currently available except Full Membership. The Pro was dead on though and advised I sent an email to see if anything could be offered and said to call down for a round to try it out for, that way I took him up, for free with a guide to the club.

Just be aware kilcock is very soft in the winter an the greens aren't great, but it a nice easy track in summer

brick tamland

Not sure Id fancy playing Farnham every week. It will be a fine course in time, but its a fair old slog around. Fair few long hilly walks between holes. Played it a few months ago and was wrecekd after it. I didn't, but most seem to use buggys so if you were doing that, it'd obviously add to the cost. Don't think there's too many members either

I'd go for rathcore if it was me looking at the above options

dan_ep82

brick tamland wrote: »

Not sure Id fancy playing Farnham every week. It will be a fine course in time, but its a fair old slog around. Fair few long hilly walks between holes. Played it a few months ago and was wrecekd after it. I didn't, but most seem to use buggys so if you were doing that, it'd obviously add to the cost. Don't think there's too many members either

I'd go for rathcore if it was me looking at the above options

Yeah I wouldn't be to keen on buggy's. One of the ideas of playing is to get out and get some exercise.

I'm hoping to play rathcore week after next to see what its like,its looking more and more promising.

Eoinyh wrote: »

Just be aware kilcock is very soft in the winter an the greens aren't great, but it a nice easy track in summer

Thanks for that,I've probably picked the wrong time of year to check out the courses but it might be a better idea if it shows them at their worst.

GreeBo

Per charter, written, public proof is required before you may comment on a clubs situation.
no more warnings.

thoscon

GreeBo wrote: »

Per charter, written, public proof is required before you may comment on a clubs situation.
no more warnings.

A member of said club comes on the forum and says the club has textd all members the course is closing is that not enough proof .thats not hearsay or rumour it's fact

sofireland

Do you want me to post a screen shot of the text?

charlieIRL

We are only trying to protect clubs from rumours and speculation.

Sorry to hear the club is closing

sofireland

I appreciate that Charlie, i'd not come on to spread rumours, only found out on Weds myself.
Sad for the staff up there - they were on The Takeover earlier this year, alas, the decision was made, and hopefully we can get into somewhere else locally.

dan_ep82

sofireland wrote: »

I appreciate that Charlie, i'd not come on to spread rumours, only found out on Weds myself.
Sad for the staff up there - they were on The Takeover earlier this year, alas, the decision was made, and hopefully we can get into somewhere else locally.

Will the course be kept open or is it membership and course closing?

Sorry to hear about it aswell.

sofireland

There is a meeting on monday evening where we will hear more im sure.
Really dont know anything else yet

Howjoe1

Navan Golf Club is closing at the end of the year. So take that one off your list. Sad news with the facilities as part of the racecourse.

thoscon

On Friday 29th November my club Rathcore are offering complimentary round of golf and a meal after to anyone interested in joining the club .need to ring to book a slot

dan_ep82

thoscon wrote: »

On Friday 29th November my club Rathcore are offering complimentary round of golf and a meal after to anyone interested in joining the club .need to ring to book a slot

I seen that, unfortunately I won't be able to make it then but I'm hoping to get up for the 26th instead.

GreeBo

thoscon wrote: »

A member of said club comes on the forum and says the club has textd all members the course is closing is that not enough proof .thats not hearsay or rumour it's fact

we have no way of knowing the bonefides of any post.

thoscon

GreeBo wrote: »

we have no way of knowing the bonefides of any post.

No bother. I wudnt have posted it if it wasn't true

sofireland

I did offer to post up a screenshot of the text.
Anyway we will know a lot more from monday evening.

thoscon

sofireland wrote: »

I did offer to post up a screenshot of the text.
Anyway we will know a lot more from monday evening.

It's a shame it's closing started out playing golf hacking around the course :-)
Played a few singles opens during the summer it never seemed to be busy

sofireland

Yeah usually the weekend comps were ok. Course was in good nick anytime i played it this summer, testament to the lads and making it work on an ever decreasing budget.

Latest text is saying that some members are looking at a members owned club - I guess more details on monday evening.

thoscon

sofireland wrote: »

Yeah usually the weekend comps were ok. Course was in good nick anytime i played it this summer, testament to the lads and making it work on an ever decreasing budget.

Latest text is saying that some members are looking at a members owned club - I guess more details on monday evening.

Hopefully that works out for them .

Howjoe1

Are we talking about the same course I mentioned, if so I can post all the proof needed to satisfy Mods

sofireland

and here it is now http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/shock-in-navan-as-golf-club-closes-29760399.html

Howjoe1

a more detailed article: http://www.meathchronicle.ie/sport/golf/articles/2013/11/16/4018448-navan-golf-club-out-of-bounds/

Unglika Norse

Sad for the members but this is always the danger with proprietary golf clubs, if they are not making money they pull the plug, with little regard for the people who helped by their subscriptions to prop the place up.

If Carr golf group couldn't make this work given their expierience in golf management, I doubt members, who up till now have had only to pay their required annual fee (a figure I doubt they had very much say in setting) could make it work, given the fact that they will now have to actually fund the course and ongoing maintenance.

Not to mention the amount the may have to pay HRI to rent or lease the ground off of them. They may get to run it on the original 9 holes and make a viable go of it. If the terms are right.

Anyway best of luck to them