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Castleknock in receivership now

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,581 ✭✭✭uberwolf


    the suggestions seems to be that this is part of the wider groups problems, so hopefully the course/club business end of things can be sustained.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,138 ✭✭✭✭PARlance


    uberwolf wrote: »
    the suggestions seems to be that this is part of the wider groups problems, so hopefully the course/club business end of things can be sustained.

    Yip, I know of one golf management company that are in talks about taking it over.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,000 ✭✭✭Russman


    It might be in bad taste to say it, but I'd say a lot of clubs around are hoping and praying it goes and they get a slice of the action !


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 334 ✭✭Oilbeefhooked!


    Russman wrote: »
    It might be in bad taste to say it, but I'd say a lot of clubs around are hoping and praying it goes and they get a slice of the action !

    Hoping and praying that people might lose jobs n money!!? Bad Taste is an understatement id say!!!


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


    I was at castleknock over the Christmas with a boards crowd and I have to say I found it an excellent setup. I would guess the problems must be with the hotel or the group that owns it. I doubt there is any chance of the course itself having any problems in the long run, It's location is far to good.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,000 ✭✭✭Russman


    Hoping and praying that people might lose jobs n money!!? Bad Taste is an understatement id say!!!

    I think clubs that are struggling to keep their heads above water wouldn't be too interested in the bigger picture - they need bums on seats.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 334 ✭✭Oilbeefhooked!


    Russman wrote: »
    I think clubs that are struggling to keep their heads above water wouldn't be too interested in the bigger picture - they need bums on seats.

    If Castleknock were to go under (which it wont) and i was to lose my annual sub , it would not leave me in a position to go and help/fund another struggling club.
    So maybe not as black n white as you claim.
    Pardon me if as someone directly affected by this news today, i might be a bit touchy at the thought of people hoping and praying i would lose my money and the great lads/ladies that work at the club lose their jobs!! :confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,000 ✭✭✭Russman


    I'm not having a go at you at all, or wishing you lose your money, or people lose their jobs, all I'm suggesting is that there will be clubs out there hoping that they get in the 30 or 40 members they may need to balance the books.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 334 ✭✭Oilbeefhooked!


    Russman wrote: »
    I'm not having a go at you at all, or wishing you lose your money, or people lose their jobs, all I'm suggesting is that there will be clubs out there hoping that they get in the 30 or 40 members they may need to balance the books.

    Point Taken,and i know you were making a general comment and not having a go - i just know i personally would not wish for any of the struggling clubs you talk of , to go under at the expense of peoples hard earned money and jobs, whether its demise were to save another course or not - but maybe thats just me.......


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,581 ✭✭✭uberwolf


    dwd wrote: »
    I was at castleknock over the Christmas with a boards crowd and I have to say I found it an excellent setup. I would guess the problems must be with the hotel or the group that owns it. I doubt there is any chance of the course itself having any problems in the long run, It's location is far to good.

    hotel is separate at this stage and seems to do well. There are houses on site which have been empty for years and might reflect some legscy celtic tiger debt in the group


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,000 ✭✭✭Russman


    Point Taken,and i know you were making a general comment and not having a go - i just know i personally would not wish for any of the struggling clubs you talk of , to go under at the expense of peoples hard earned money and jobs, whether its demise were to save another course or not - but maybe thats just me.......

    You're spot on. I mean, in general terms, if a club with say, 500 members went under at the start of a season, I can't imagine how many of those would be in a position to pay a second sub to another club, and that's before even considering the "once bitten twice shy" factor. On a personal level, for staff and members its potentially a disaster (not just Castleknock, any club).

    But lets not give it the last rites just yet. A decent layout in a good location should survive, but there's a lot of quality within a mile or two of that location, so I guess time will tell.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,677 ✭✭✭shane0007


    What's the FBD association with Castleknock GC?
    I really hope all works out for the club as I also played with the Boards outing & found it to be a lovely course.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,505 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    Russman wrote: »
    You're spot on. I mean, in general terms, if a club with say, 500 members went under at the start of a season, I can't imagine how many of those would be in a position to pay a second sub to another club, and that's before even considering the "once bitten twice shy" factor. On a personal level, for staff and members its potentially a disaster (not just Castleknock, any club).
    Which is why lots of people are paying by DD these daysI guess!
    Russman wrote: »
    But lets not give it the last rites just yet. A decent layout in a good location should survive, but there's a lot of quality within a mile or two of that location, so I guess time will tell.

    I think cost of running it is more important that location and quality these days...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 334 ✭✭Oilbeefhooked!


    Russman wrote: »
    You're spot on. I mean, in general terms, if a club with say, 500 members went under at the start of a season, I can't imagine how many of those would be in a position to pay a second sub to another club, and that's before even considering the "once bitten twice shy" factor. On a personal level, for staff and members its potentially a disaster (not just Castleknock, any club).

    But lets not give it the last rites just yet. A decent layout in a good location should survive, but there's a lot of quality within a mile or two of that location, so I guess time will tell.

    Sorry, if i seem negative about the clubs future as i really dont mean to be, i am in fact very optimistic about the future of the club and my sub, after hearing from the club and fellow members earlier this evening.
    Just a bit shocked at this news coming out a fortnight after the AGM and a week after i paid my sub, and didnt like the hoping it goes under theory.
    Maybe Greebos Direct Debit is indeed the way ill look to in future, i just hope all existing members do something similar and stick with this excellent club and renew there subs for 2014 , and it can continue to go from strength to strength onder a new owner :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,138 ✭✭✭✭PARlance


    Were you at the AGM Oil?
    Or was there any talk of this situation over the last two weeks?
    Incredibly bad form if not.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 334 ✭✭Oilbeefhooked!


    PARlance wrote: »
    Were you at the AGM Oil?
    Or was there any talk of this situation over the last two weeks?
    Incredibly bad form if not.

    Couldnt attend myself , but no nothing regarding this situation was mentioned.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,000 ✭✭✭Russman


    Sorry, if i seem negative about the clubs future as i really dont mean to be, i am in fact very optimistic about the future of the club and my sub, after hearing from the club and fellow members earlier this evening.
    Just a bit shocked at this news coming out a fortnight after the AGM and a week after i paid my sub, and didnt like the hoping it goes under theory.
    Maybe Greebos Direct Debit is indeed the way ill look to in future, i just hope all existing members do something similar and stick with this excellent club and renew there subs for 2014 , and it can continue to go from strength to strength onder a new owner :)

    Direct debit is definitely a good option. Credit card might work too, not 100% sure if a golf club would take payment that way, I know we don't (but I don't know why !). I was a member of Total Fitness in 2011 when it went bust, but as I had paid the sub by credit card I got a refund from the credit card company.

    Not to be negative, but the big fear IMO is that perception becomes reality, and snowballs - if you're a member who hasn't paid the sub yet its only natural that you might have second thoughts (realistically how many people will pay money to a company in receivership ?), and if you decide to move on, then the club may as well have gone bust from your point of view. Will suppliers start to insist on C.O.D. maybe ?

    Communication will be key and keeping the members informed, also getting it resolved quickly. Maybe the golf side of things won't be impacted at all. If this is the first the committee knew of the impending receivership there's hope, if it turns out they knew and were still taking subs, all bets are off.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    Really sorry to hear about this. Always enjoyed playing there and would have thought the location and high quality set up would see them alright. Best of luck to all involved.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,293 ✭✭✭dar_cool


    Sad to see. This place will never go under though.Definitely the busiest club in the area. I would love to join myself as I'm only around the corner but couldnt afford the full membership and don't like the way they do the 5 day membership.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,138 ✭✭✭✭PARlance


    Couldnt attend myself , but no nothing regarding this situation was mentioned.

    Really hate seeing that carry on.
    Hope it works out as best it possibly can.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,293 ✭✭✭dar_cool


    shane0007 wrote: »
    What's the FBD association with Castleknock GC?
    I really hope all works out for the club as I also played with the Boards outing & found it to be a lovely course.

    Fbd own the hotel beside the course.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 310 ✭✭Dossy


    Doonbeg GC has also gone into receivership. Alot of property bought and rented out in the summer, obviously not the case anymore!!
    Still though cant see GC going under as it has good solid number of members + corporate members


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,019 ✭✭✭who_ru


    5 day member in castleknock here - was thinking of going elsewhere anyway for a number of reasons but this news may tip the balance towards another club.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 56 ✭✭Cecco70


    Just as I was about to join my first club. Castleknock is about 15 minutes away from me and would be ideal for me to get out for a few holes in the evening.
    I was going for the 5 day membership deal.:(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,914 ✭✭✭Rigor Mortis


    No FBD association. fbd only own the Hotel and that is completely separate and doing very well. The issue is a Monarch one.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 499 ✭✭Leprechaun77


    There is a meeting of members currently underway in Castleknock golf club since 8 o'clock tonight. I couldn't make it myself, but if any other members on here attended you might post if anything of (further) significance was discussed.

    Thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 334 ✭✭Oilbeefhooked!


    Really positive meeting tonight ,massive turnout which was great to see. Receivers requiring to retain approx 80% membership as per emailed membership agreement for 2014, and going by show of hands and general word on the street ,looking like members are really going to get behind the club and this percentage will easily be achieved.
    Guarantees were given by receivers on the retention of all green keeping staff and all existing maintenance methods to maintain current high quality standards of all aspects of the course for 2014 ,even if a new buyer is found in interim.
    Also was confirmed by receivers, that anyone re-joining or any new members joining post 23rd January 2014, do so' RISK FREE' , as, if in the extremely unlikely event that the club were not to continue, ALL these members would be guaranteed a full refund of any balance on their cards at any such time.
    So in summary, feeling very good about the future of this great club and looking forward to a summers/years golf at Cknock :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,133 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    Just as an aside,

    If a place like Castleknock can't stay in business , what hope has any club.
    It is in an affluent area of Dublin, it is a good course, has a large population base. As large as anybody could wish for.
    I guess the place it is in , is very expensive land. It was built in crazy times, is now separated from hotel by some financial trick.

    If you were to look at Dublin as a whole, and look at the locations that new golf course were built in prime locations, the two you would pick are Castleknock and Portmarnock Links. Both have failed as stand alone business concepts.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 83 ✭✭14handicap


    Just as an aside,

    If a place like Castleknock can't stay in business , what hope has any club.
    It is in an affluent area of Dublin, it is a good course, has a large population base. As large as anybody could wish for.
    I guess the place it is in , is very expensive land. It was built in crazy times, is now separated from hotel by some financial trick.

    If you were to look at Dublin as a whole, and look at the locations that new golf course were built in prime locations, the two you would pick are Castleknock and Portmarnock Links. Both have failed as stand alone business concepts.

    Is the problem not with all these courses that they built in the boom and spend 10-20-30million?
    If they were stand alone businesses with no big loans than they would be quite profitable but the massive loans are killing them.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,882 ✭✭✭Golfgraffix


    Just as an aside,

    if you were to look at Dublin as a whole, and look at the locations that new golf course were built in prime locations, the two you would pick are Castleknock and Portmarnock Links. Both have failed as stand alone business concepts.

    I think if they were both stand alone buisness's they would have been fine, in fact quite succesful. The issue was that they were not stand alone businesses, they are part of bigger groups and it is the parent groups that failed.

    J


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