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best golf membership deals 2014 cork and surrounding areas

13

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 174 ✭✭millerj


    tax_tutor1 wrote: »
    Sorry Slicemeister,
    Quoted from MisterAnarchy in my comment.
    Hoping to get the info from him.
    Heard that Mallow have dropped Sec/Manager? Is this correct?

    Yes, Sec/manager is gone.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 110 ✭✭tax_tutor1


    That should reduce operating costs for club. Less new members needed at the lower subscription rate required now. More clubs will probably need to follow your lead?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,557 ✭✭✭sydneybound


    tax_tutor1 wrote: »
    As I have said on other threads there is plenty of fat on the bone in the club that needs trimming "?

    Can i ask apart from getting rid of a sec/manager what other aspects can a club save on? At this stage I'm sure most clubs have completely cut back on their outgoings. You don't want to downgrade greenskeeper hours or types of chemicals they use as this would have detrimental effects on the course. You could cut on bar staff maybe but I'm sure their hours are down to the bear bones. Stop printing yearly diaries but in the main these have stopped too. Get members to ranger the course instead of paying someone etc...

    I know an ordinary members club in Dublin used to spend thousands a year on a towel cleaning service, then bought a few washing machines themselves and cut down on this massively!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 110 ✭✭tax_tutor1


    Getting rid of the secretary/manager is not always a cost saving as some managers contribute more than they cost in terms of controlling expenditure, generating business for the club i.e. retaining or generating memberships, generating green fee income etc.
    From a very limited review of some financial accounts some clubs are charging members significantly higher membership fees as they have not reduced their expenditure levels sufficiently in line with lower membership numbers.
    An example of this would be Mallow's proposed subscription of 699 for full membership versus say Monkstown's 1,450 pa. How could their operating expenditures require such different levels of membership income? Both have bank borrowings so Mallow must be running a tighter ship!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 187 ✭✭peepee


    Mallow's proposed subscription of 699 for full membership versus say Monkstown's 1,450 pa

    Monkstown spent millions on a huge clubhouse


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 110 ✭✭tax_tutor1


    Mallow are carrying a loan in excess of 1m for the 1.25 acres they bought. Monkstown have a great deal on their loan, 1% interest rate and had a 5 year interest only period. The size of the two loans would not account for the differences in the subscriptions.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 187 ✭✭peepee


    Do you know how much Monkstowns loan is? I heard varying figures. €4m was one.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 110 ✭✭tax_tutor1


    Understand that it is over 2m. But take into account that it is repaid over say 20 years, thus spreading the load and will not account for the differences in operating costs between say Mallow and Monkstown.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭Dbu


    In a nutshell so, Douglas are the only club that has money:eek:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 934 ✭✭✭moycullen14


    It may not be the goal of a given club to operate as cheaply as possible. Rather the goal is to operate withing their means. If the members are happy with a higher sub then that's OK.

    There may be some 'snobbery' involved - but that's very unlikely in the almost socialist world of Cork golf clubs :)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 934 ✭✭✭moycullen14


    Dbu wrote: »
    In a nutshell so, Douglas are the only club that has money:eek:

    Well, they're almost certainly the only club with so much money on deposit. Mind you, from an operational point of view, they have the same problems as a lot of established clubs in Cork: ageing membership, increased costs, etc. Hence the reduction in hello money and a membership drive.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭Dbu


    I know a guy that applied actually just after Christmas. He says there are almost 50 applications for membership, so at 7k a pop they have a nice few bob on the way if they accept them all. I believe its a hard club to join though, you really need to know people there...some day...lotto dependent of course:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭big_drive


    Does anyone know if the €5,000 entrance fee in Fota must be paid in one instalment or can it be spread over time?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 110 ✭✭tax_tutor1


    It may not be the goal of a given club to operate as cheaply as possible. Rather the goal is to operate withing their means. If the members are happy with a higher sub then that's OK.

    There may be some 'snobbery' involved - but that's very unlikely in the almost socialist world of Cork golf clubs :)

    Very few memberships vote for increases in their annual subscription particularly in current climate. The more progressive clubs have actually reduced their cost base which has in some cases allowed a decrease in the subscription. The problem for some clubs is they have lost members which results in a shortage on the income side which the club try to balance by increasing the sub which only results in more members leaving!

    Douglas are in an unusual position in that the money in the bank cannot be utilised for current club running cost, only for capital projects! Hence they upgraded equipment, sheds, and course paths. I understand that they have a subcommittee looking at the possibility of a new clubhouse.
    They need more membership income to balance out their running costs. Understand they are taking approximately 20 new members at 6.5k upfront or 7k spread. We'll maintained and presented golf course all year round.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 249 ✭✭pinseeker


    big_drive wrote: »
    Does anyone know if the €5,000 entrance fee in Fota must be paid in one instalment or can it be spread over time?

    Has to be paid in one go i believe big drive.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 517 ✭✭✭benji79


    A friend who plays in Blarney was telling me over the weekend that they now have a new option of €850 a year for golf only

    Up to now the only option was €100 a month (included is full gym membership and €20 voucher each month to spend in the restaurant/bar)

    €850 in my opinion is decent value for Blarney considering its proximity to the city and the course is quite a good test.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,526 ✭✭✭Slicemeister


    If you can live with the bar rarely being open,even on open days. As well as having sporadic holes closed/rearranged with no prior notification. Or better still turn up for an open to be told none running and the green fees are dearer than comp fees.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 517 ✭✭✭benji79


    If you can live with the bar rarely being open,even on open days. As well as having sporadic holes closed/rearranged with no prior notification. Or better still turn up for an open to be told none running and the green fees are dearer than comp fees.

    I wouldn't be too worried about the bar, it wouldn't be an issue for me.
    Not sure what you mean about the holes closed, you'd have to ask a member about that.

    As for green fees being higher than competition fees, well I've found this to be the case in most clubs

    Another factor in Blarneys favour is that they rarely close. The course seems to handle bad weather well enough, perhaps it to do with the location as it's high ground


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,526 ✭✭✭Slicemeister


    benji79 wrote: »
    I wouldn't be too worried about the bar, it wouldn't be an issue for me.
    Not sure what you mean about the holes closed, you'd have to ask a member about that.

    As for green fees being higher than competition fees, well I've found this to be the case in most clubs

    Another factor in Blarneys favour is that they rarely close. The course seems to handle bad weather well enough, perhaps it to do with the location as it's high ground

    It can handle weather better than most in fairness but is fairly exposed at the same time.
    Most green fees if not all are more than comp fees no issues there, that's not what my point was.
    I wouldn't pay 850 there, not a "club" from my experiences on their open days. But that's just my opinion.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭Dbu


    tax_tutor1 wrote: »
    Very few memberships vote for increases in their annual subscription particularly in current climate. The more progressive clubs have actually reduced their cost base which has in some cases allowed a decrease in the subscription. The problem for some clubs is they have lost members which results in a shortage on the income side which the club try to balance by increasing the sub which only results in more members leaving!

    Douglas are in an unusual position in that the money in the bank cannot be utilised for current club running cost, only for capital projects! Hence they upgraded equipment, sheds, and course paths. I understand that they have a subcommittee looking at the possibility of a new clubhouse.
    They need more membership income to balance out their running costs. Understand they are taking approximately 20 new members at 6.5k upfront or 7k spread. We'll maintained and presented golf course all year round.

    Think they are taking closer to 50 new members from what I hear. Still some money out there:D


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭paulos53


    Anybody have any info on Fermoy golf club?
    I am thinking of joining there and was just wondering what the club is like rather than the course i.e. club atmosphere, how easy is it to get a teetime each weekend (especially if I am on my own) etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 934 ✭✭✭moycullen14


    Hi,

    Fermoy is a very friendly place. No problem at all getting out at weekend. Typically place is busiest Sat/Sun morning before 11. brs timesheet in operation so you can put your name down on your own. Failing that if you roll up, the staff in the pro-shop generally get you out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 134 ✭✭nuts86


    big_drive wrote: »
    Does anyone know if the €5,000 entrance fee in Fota must be paid in one instalment or can it be spread over time?

    if your classed in intermediate membership which is usually under thirty, 2k up front plus around the 1k for the sub... when you reach thirty then, pay the 3k plus your €1700 for sub...( includes members comps and use of academy)..

    If I had the money I'd be there in a flash... hearing of a lot of golfers moving there... some pretty handy senior cup players as well, they could have a go at it next year...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 517 ✭✭✭benji79


    nuts86 wrote: »
    if your classed in intermediate membership which is usually under thirty, 2k up front plus around the 1k for the sub... when you reach thirty then, pay the 3k plus your €1700 for sub...( includes members comps and use of academy)..

    If I had the money I'd be there in a flash... hearing of a lot of golfers moving there... some pretty handy senior cup players as well, they could have a go at it next year...

    Fota would be great alright. If the entrance money dropped to around the €2,500 mark id really consider it. €5,000 is just a bit too much at moment

    Having 27 holes and excellent practice facilities is a big attraction

    Be interesting to see what better players they get in, Fota havent really been in the shake up in any of the team comps over the past couple years


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭big_drive


    nuts86 wrote: »
    if your classed in intermediate membership which is usually under thirty, 2k up front plus around the 1k for the sub... when you reach thirty then, pay the 3k plus your €1700 for sub...( includes members comps and use of academy)..

    If I had the money I'd be there in a flash... hearing of a lot of golfers moving there... some pretty handy senior cup players as well, they could have a go at it next year...

    The fact that they have new owners and the publicity around hosting the Irish Open has probably made it a bit easier in trying to attract new members


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 110 ✭✭tax_tutor1


    Dbu wrote: »
    Think they are taking closer to 50 new members from what I hear. Still some money out there:D

    47 was the number I heard last week, so you are spot on. Nice money for Douglas GC this year but a lot of others clubs are going to struggle if Douglas hover up that many members from other clubs!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭big_drive


    I like Douglas but don't think it's worth that money. Maybe if you were living close to the course or something


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7 Wassily Kandinsky


    i always ask the following questions to lads thinking of joining a club.
    1. how long are u golfing and how often will you play?
    2. do you want/need a gui handicap?
    3. have u a regular 4 ball or group of golfers to play with?
    4. how much time have you for golf?
    5. how far will u travel for golf?

    I know a lot of guys that have taken distant membership for GUI handicap at €100-€150 and play open singles at €15-€30 per round. makes sense for these guys that play once a week on average from april-sept and want a variety of courses. avg €20 per round - €600 for their annual golf.
    if u dont want to play competitions well then Water Rock is a great option. pay and play a decent course.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭Dbu


    big_drive wrote: »
    I like Douglas but don't think it's worth that money. Maybe if you were living close to the course or something

    As i said previously somewhere, I know a guy that has applied. He lives in Douglas though and used have to travel to Mallow for his golf. His point I think is valid, He sees it as more of an investment. He can be at the course in 2 minutes and will be able to play a lot on the summer evenings. He can also have a few pints after golf and walk home.Its also supposed to be a very sociable club and he also has a lot of friends members there as well.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,214 ✭✭✭bailey99


    Dbu wrote: »
    As i said previously somewhere, I know a guy that has applied. He lives in Douglas though and used have to travel to Mallow for his golf. His point I think is valid, He sees it as more of an investment. He can be at the course in 2 minutes and will be able to play a lot on the summer evenings. He can also have a few pints after golf and walk home.Its also supposed to be a very sociable club and he also has a lot of friends members there as well.


    Ah sure that's perfect so.


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