BLARNEY GOLF RESORT

soundsham · 09-02-2009 9:24pm #1

heard today (from a good source) blarney golf resort (John Daly's design)
hotel and spa is **insert rumour here**
course is low on members 100-130ish
gym is v busy
hotel like the rest busy sometimes

hate to lose any course,its an ok one
also members payed €10-15k less than 2yrs ago to join

how do you think this may play out ?

PhilipMarlowe · 09-02-2009 10:01pm

I just edited the above because presumably it's still open for business until we hear otherwise...

f22 · 09-02-2009 10:20pm

I heard it was buggered months ago. Will be lucky to last the Summer, along with a few others.

ShriekingSheet · 09-02-2009 10:34pm

Not doubting this particular post, or soundsham's source - more a genearl comment but...

Would it not be a good idea to curtail this kind of talk on the board? While it's a reality for many clubs that they simply could be going out of business very shortly, the amount of locker room talk I hear lately is ridiculous. Everywhere outside the pale is done for, if you were to believe everything you hear.

It's been sad to see Luttrellstown go. Many courses could well follow. But in the meantime, if we're to open up the forum to speculation from anyone who's heard anything, it'll be a) depressing to read and b) when it's inaccurate, as these rumours often are, it could be seriously worrying/frustrating for members of that course to have to read unfounded rumours, and also quite damaging to the reputation of a club.

As many of you know I like to speak my mind. But in these sh*tty financial times that are already damaging many people's enjoyment of golf, it'd be cool of us not to profisise the downfall of any clubs we've heard are "in trouble".

I'm not saying all the rumours are wrong, I'm just saying spreading the word on the forum does no one any favours.

L.O.F.T · 09-02-2009 10:51pm

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

But in these sh*tty financial times that are already damaging many people's enjoyment of golf, it'd be cool of us not to profisise the downfall of any clubs we've heard are "in trouble".

I'm not saying all the rumours are wrong, I'm just saying spreading the word on the forum does no one any favours.

+1
Newbe here and the forum is a far more interesting place without rumors

soundsham · 09-02-2009 10:59pm

ok no prob
its not a rumour its a fact
its in administration as of last friday
p.w.c the administrator on be half of a.i.b.

i wasn't sure earlier , i have been told for a fact in the last hour or so

my only worry is for the staff on whom i know a few and the members who forked out

ShriekingSheet · 09-02-2009 11:02pm

soundsham wrote: »

ok no prob
its not a rumour its a fact
its in administration as of last friday
p.w.c the administrator on be half of a.i.b.

i wasn't sure earlier , i have been told for a fact in the last hour or so

my only worry is for the staff on whom i know a few and the members who forked out

Shyte news. There's gonna be more and more of this.

Mister Sifter · 09-02-2009 11:28pm

I knew it had been up for sale, but sad to hear it's gone to the wall. No surprise really, they were looking for around €16-20m for it i think (which was way less than what they paid to build it) but who's going to pay that for a loss-making golf course in the current climate?

soundsham · 10-02-2009 1:38am

Graeme1982 wrote: »

I knew it had been up for sale, but sad to hear it's gone to the wall. No surprise really, they were looking for around €16-20m for it i think (which was way less than what they paid to build it) but who's going to pay that for a loss-making golf course in the current climate?

didn't realise you saw the books graeme!!!

fact is hotel, spa \& course all doing ok,

but couldn't sell the 50+ holiday homes.

kingshankly · 10-02-2009 8:12am

I don't see anything wrong discussing course closures , what we say or don't say will have no bearing on any course.
As long as no one is stating unsolicated lies and are in fact stating it was a rumour then what's the problem . Getting a bit sick and tired of this over sensitive pc world we live in what ever happened to the freedom of speech !!!!

Mister Sifter · 10-02-2009 10:45am

soundsham wrote: »

didn't realise you saw the books graeme!!!

fact is hotel, spa \& course all doing ok,

Indeed i have, operating losses of over €3.5m over '06 and '07. Only the Government would have you believe that's ok.

jimbling · 10-02-2009 10:58am

feel sorry for the members (father inclusive) and the staff. But the owners and managers were fcukers of the lowest order, and delighted they failed.

L.O.F.T · 10-02-2009 11:47am

I noticed this before i began posting here,

Golf Charter: Rules and Guidelines [Updated June '08]

Welcome to the Golf forum. To make everyones online life that little bit easier here are some rules and guidelines for posting in this forum.
Rules
There is no free speech!-This is a privately owned website. You do not have the right to say whatever you want on here. You are expected to obey the rules just like anyone else. Not following the rules will get you banned. It is very simple. You are allowed to discuss anything as long as it doesn't break the following rules.

jimboddb · 10-02-2009 1:17pm

Rubbish course that was always doomed in my opinion. Short cuts taken since day 1 & its coming back to bite them now. No loss to golf, what'll happen to all the buggies?

I do feel for staff & members though.

jamesore · 10-02-2009 6:17pm

I find that in the current economic conditions that some of your comments are very off putting. There are people losing jobs every day in the hospitality sector and you comment on things like good riddance. There has been no truth to these rumors as far as I can see and is still trading away. I stayed and played golf there recently, it is a fine resort and offers excellent value for money. To be honest boards like this should not be used for a rumor creation machine. I would hope that the resort continues to operate as it is welcome addition to Cork. All we need is another course going down the drain as we will be left with nothing then. From what I have been lead to believe the hotel is practically full from March onwards.

corkandproud · 10-02-2009 10:26pm

soundsham wrote: »

didn't realise you saw the books graeme!!!

fact is hotel, spa \& course all doing ok,

but couldn't sell the 50+ holiday homes.

FALSE, the hotel is leased out with little return on the capital employed. THe course is being run in house at a profit, but again no dilution of the capital invested.

soundsham wrote: »

my only worry is for the staff on whom i know a few and the members who forked out

Agreed, imagine the couples who paid €30k and were safe in the knowledge that it was a "redeemable share"

Golf staff too as they worked their asses off to keep the wolf from the door.

soundsham · 10-02-2009 11:09pm

jimboddb wrote: »

Rubbish course that was always doomed in my opinion. Short cuts taken since day 1 & its coming back to bite them now. No loss to golf, what'll happen to all the buggies?

I do feel for staff & members though.

defo not rubbish course
greens as good as anything out there,sand based fairways good too
couple of funky holes all right,

hope it makes it,
lot of worse courses out there,

jimboddb · 11-02-2009 12:42am

soundsham wrote: »

defo not rubbish course
greens as good as anything out there,sand based fairways good too
couple of funky holes all right,

hope it makes it,
lot of worse courses out there,

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. The greens are good alright but so many holes are of poor design. Plus its like bloody Baghdad with the balls flying everywhere.

corkandproud · 11-02-2009 8:17am

Listen it's no good talking about greens and fairways if the figures don't stack up.

How many Cork courses are in trouble:

Blarney, Castlemartyr & Harbour Point: Operationally efficient but no return on capital invested

Monkstown: Operational costs out of control and big increases for members

Cobh New Course: Desperately seeking members to avoid levies on existing members

Hangmans Point: On Hold(?)

Old Head: 2009 bookings 70% down on 2008 (and 2008 wasn't a great year)

It's the captial repayments that are killing most courses now, you can run a golf business profitably but ya still gotta pay for it.

PhilipMarlowe · 11-02-2009 10:27am

I'd like to play the Old Head sometime but no thanks to paying €300 for the 'privilege'.
If they struggle with bookings it will be interesting to see what rate they will arrive at to tempt more locals (Irish) to play there.

ShriekingSheet · 11-02-2009 11:31am

Licksy wrote: »

I'd like to play the Old Head sometime but no thanks to paying €300 for the 'privilege'.
If they struggle with bookings it will be interesting to see what rate they will arrive at to tempt more locals (Irish) to play there.

I feel a bit bad saying it, but in boom-time, the Old Head made it patently clear that it was not catering for the ordinary golfer, but aimed at high-end corporate businesses and Americans who arrive at the course by helicopter, then head up to the K club the next morning.

This is just my own impression but it's specific to the OH. Sure, the K Club and Druids Glen were always exclusive, but not as stringently. The K Club compete some interclub competitions* like any other club, offering free practice rounds, they've begun hosting Junior and Senior Scratch Cups at relatively reasonable prices, Druids Glen are obviously doing good annual deals on their Heath course and offering free vouchers to members joining...

To me, the Old Head positioned itself as an aloof manner, uninterested in attracting business from the irish golfing public. Had this not been the case, the course would not have to worry so much about repositioning itself in the current climate, now that American and corporate business has dwindled.

*Yes, the K Club pulled out of the Best Cup because Hazel Grove took the p*ss but pulling up with a coach-load of players and multiple managers and reserves in advance of their match. But they did set up a new interclub comeptiton called the Straffan Cup.

hayes.paul · 16-02-2009 5:50pm

Hey.. you got your facts wrong.. Blarney Golf Resort has gone into receivership.. see Bus Post from Sunday.. bank appointed receiver so all they want to do is get some money back from a sale.. and get rid of a property developer who got in too deep...

that is all good for joe public as the price of membership will come down.. its unfortunate for current members but if the place stays open which has a 99% chance of doing so then they will still be able to get value from using the course..

think lee valley and fota who were both bought 3 times before they got it right..

soundsham · 20-02-2009 10:04pm

course to remain open at the moment

watch this space

maybe available to join at a very small price

even at a monthly rate, with no hello money

jimmystars · 24-02-2009 6:08pm

Heard today off a menber its 100 euro a month to join. No hello money. Not a bad deal for people looking for membership. Shocking loss for people who were members. Didnt get much else. Anyone know more?

soundsham · 24-02-2009 9:59pm

jimmystars wrote: »

Heard today off a menber its 100 euro a month to join. No hello money. Not a bad deal for people looking for membership. Shocking loss for people who were members. Didnt get much else. Anyone know more?

heard same

will be offered to public in april

jimbling · 28-02-2009 1:14pm

soundsham wrote: »

heard same

will be offered to public in april

Where did you hear that it will be offered to the public in April?

I've been told it is a one week offer and every member gets two applications.

Edit: I've had confirmation that it's open to the public as well.....

soundsham · 03-03-2009 10:24pm

not open to public

being offered through existing members, by each member having 2 applications for new members, think its available to promote some control over who comes in, capped @ 400 i've been told so its mostly work friends and a lot of locals who will get in @ €300 up front and €75 per month after that

original members paid €15,000 20 months ago................sad for them unfortunately burned

Yoshi_Toshi · 10-03-2009 8:48pm

Any update on this one?
I played there last week and I would definatley join it.

soundsham · 11-03-2009 11:00pm

heard they have almost got in what they needed
an extra 240ish members all in for free
hopefully they will survive now with 400 members subs green fees etc should be in with a shot
hopefully they will spend a share of this money on cousre development too as from what i was told no planting been done since it opened as funds were being managed a little differently

jimbling · 19-03-2009 10:46am

I joined... looking forward to heading up on Saturday. Haven't played a round in about 9 months though :eek:

alxmorgan · 19-03-2009 11:30am

Anyone know if they do country membership ?
Living in Tipp but work in Cork during the week a lot.

thanks,

soundsham · 19-03-2009 10:31pm

membership is closed @ the moment according to article on tonights cork evening echo(and a waiting list in operation), don't know 'bout country membership doubt it

but what the heck give them a buzz

funny really it tells you there is still a big demand for golf membership, its the hello money stopping people joining clubs, even though a lot of them have halved their entry fees,blarney by droppoing there fee totally took in 200+ people at a grand a year, now i know they had room but it tells you what the other clubs need to do

at least the golf club must look some bit viable to a prospective investor(remember those:rolleyes: every pub had a few)

Birdietime · 21-03-2009 12:20pm

The owner of this course lost 27 million in development, i have heard that the bank are running this now, heard it from a taxi driver, who claimed to be his brother-in-law. SO this course maybe in some trouble....

soundsham · 21-03-2009 3:11pm

smell the coffee birdie time

read the post from the start,

the whole place is for sale now for €12m according to this weeks cork newspapers

the developer wasn't any good to anyone up there, builders, golf cousre builders, staff or members of gym or golf course

Atlantic1 · 21-03-2009 3:17pm

Very sad to see what's happening to those who've spent a lot of money to join but I think the way the members of Harbour Point were treated was absolutely disgraceful. Left with nothing after all their years.

OilBeefHooked2 · 21-03-2009 4:50pm

Atlantic1 wrote: »

Very sad to see what's happening to those who've spent a lot of money to join but I think the way the members of Harbour Point were treated was absolutely disgraceful. Left with nothing after all their years.

They were given more that full years notice.
Such is life, when your a member of a privately owned course.

soundsham · 22-03-2009 11:34pm

harbour point took in new members about 50 i think at a reduced rate of €5000 over 3 yrs interest free as far as i know in the last 3-4 years so that tells you what was going on out there
also blarney invited them up to get into blarney last year ,in on a group package deal last year when the news broke of h points plight
don't think too many took it up as they thought it would never close
sorry now i'd say
story is h point to close and re-open as pay per play

Caoimhan · 25-03-2009 9:00pm

The whole resort is currently for sale for 20million, built for 50mill a few years back

Have never played it but would be confident if you approached the club you would get membership for less that 2k

Currently
Tulfarris : Membership €1000
Moyvalley : €1950
New Forest : €1750

Load of other less known clubs offering cheap membership.

Caoimhan · 25-03-2009 9:02pm

If you are living in Tipp -- Roscrea Golf Club has membership with no joining fee at €600

I would think Nenagh would be open to offers as well

soundsham · 25-03-2009 10:06pm

Caoimhan wrote: »

The whole resort is currently for sale for 20million, built for 50mill a few years back

Have never played it but would be confident if you approached the club you would get membership for less that 2k

all figures wrong
but most importantly if your making an offer the sale price is 12million
membership was free is now full @ 400 €1000 sub
waiting list in operation

Caoimhan · 25-03-2009 10:14pm

Hey Soundsham

You just saved me 8 million, got my people to put in an offer of 10.

Had not heard they offered very reasonable membership. Have you played it is it any good?

soundsham · 25-03-2009 10:25pm

you'd get it for 11 i'd say save yourself another million

its an ok course original owners spent sweet f a on it after building it but its not a bad track little bit on the breezy side so it tests you that way have a few friends joined so played it a few times ,wouldn't refuse a run out there ever

aster99 · 11-05-2009 3:03pm

Any updates on how things are going in Blarney?

Amazing that people were getting in for €100 a month considering what others were paying when it opened.

jimbling · 11-05-2009 3:36pm

Playing there 6 weeks now. Love the course (with the exception of hole 10), and the greens are in great condition now.

They have gone from 180 members to a current number of 545. I hear they are also going be offering more spots again. Not sure what the limit will be.
It's starting to get pretty busy. If you want to play on a Saturday morning you're better off booking the week before.

Out of curiosity, what sort of membership numbers do clubs usually have?

aster99 · 11-05-2009 4:37pm

Great to hear its going so well now. And do the people who pay €1,200 have full rights within the club?

What happens if you join in we'll say June-does membership last from June to June or does it expire at end of calender year?

Morrisseeee · 11-05-2009 4:42pm

They've had so many promo's in the last year or so, its hard to keep track of them. I've played it a number of times, the greens are very good, the fairways are very good, but I don't like the layout (some odd holes), & too much walking !!

jimbling · 11-05-2009 4:58pm

aster99 wrote: »

Great to hear its going so well now. And do the people who pay €1,200 have full rights within the club?

What happens if you join in we'll say June-does membership last from June to June or does it expire at end of calender year?

Yes, full rights..... as far as I know anyway. I would presume it's june to june in that case.

Morrisseeee wrote: »

They've had so many promo's in the last year or so, its hard to keep track of them. I've played it a number of times, the greens are very good, the fairways are very good, but I don't like the layout (some odd holes), & too much walking !!

Don't mind the walking..... could do with the exercise :pac:

Greens and fairways are excellent all right, but the 2nd level of rough is too rough. If you're ball goes into it... it's done and dusted. Forget about it. And it's just going to get longer over the summer.

That hole 10 is the most bizarre hole ever. It just doesn't really make sense. I get the fact that there's three ways to play it and it can cause some difficult decisions, but you really have no idea where you're hitting your ball to. I've never lost so many balls after hitting what I thought was a decent shot..... sooo frustrating.

In saying all that, it's still absolutely excellent value for money.

deko43 · 11-05-2009 7:12pm

Is John Daly still involved at Blarney ? Will he be making a guest appearance this week ?

soundsham · 11-05-2009 8:28pm

heard from a member that place is now getting too busy and the bank who are running the show are allowing up to 700 in @ €300 up front and €75 per month

members don't seem to have enough tee times either and currently takes bout 5hrs:mad::eek: to play due to all the new blood

best to steer clear of unless u play midweek i'd say

watsdstory22 · 11-05-2009 8:40pm

why is the place even called the 'blarney' golf resort when its 15 mins from blarney???? makes me laugh!!!

soundsham · 11-05-2009 8:49pm

you must be walking while your laughing :rolleyes:

you'd be in cork city in 10-15 minutes from there blarney is about 5 mins away,

think there changing cork airport's name to

"15 minutes from cork airport";)

BLARNEY GOLF RESORT

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