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South County GC Closed

link_2007

Woke up to a text:

The board regret to announce that the golf club will close immediately. A formal statement will be issued to shareholders and creditors in due course. See website for further details.

I have checked the website but it seems to be the same as normal.

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TheGrump

link_2007 wrote: »

While I am sure any club would be thrilled with the additional revenue would it not create a small amount of animosity with current members to see such a large number of new members arriving at the one time, filling the timesheet etc?

If viewed in the corect way this could be a great opportunity for a local club. If they offered the SC members a really really cheap deal and mamaged to attract say 80 members then they could almost garauntee that they woud have 40-60 new members next year. That would be a big bonus to a club that needs to increase its numbers as many many clubs do at the moment.

pistolpetes11

Jesus Lads desperately sorry to hear the news, Had been hearing very good things about the course and members , just when you think things are starting to settle down a bit , I mean Im hearing more on the radio each day about new jobs coming to the country rather than people being let go, then something like this happens .

An awful shame .

Hopefully a couple of clubs jump in like what happened when Total fitness Closed down offering members really good deals to give them a new home but we will see if there is still some sort of humility out there.

Russman

Possibly, but I think clubs have lost so many members in the last few years that existing members are realistic or pragmatic enough to know they need new members to survive.
Depends on the club's circumstances I guess.

link_2007

Russman wrote: »

If its definitely closed for good, then thats the best thing to do alright. Most of the local clubs will let you have a free round anyway to see the course if you're interested in joining (I know Slade Valley do that, and I think Beech Park too). Plus it'd be far easier for a club to do a deal with a group of, say, 20, 50, 100 or whatever, rather than ones or twos.

While I am sure any club would be thrilled with the additional revenue would it not create a small amount of animosity with current members to see such a large number of new members arriving at the one time, filling the timesheet etc?

Russman

TheGrump wrote: »

As suggested earlier, you guys should try and form a group and approach local clubs for a group deal on membership.

If its definitely closed for good, then thats the best thing to do alright. Most of the local clubs will let you have a free round anyway to see the course if you're interested in joining (I know Slade Valley do that, and I think Beech Park too). Plus it'd be far easier for a club to do a deal with a group of, say, 20, 50, 100 or whatever, rather than ones or twos.

ipitydafool

TheGrump wrote: »

If the land was leased by the club and the club has now gone bust, I'd wager it will open again very shortly. There's no way the landowner is going to let it's asset fade away. No consolotion for the members that forked out their subs though

I think this is where it gets all legal and Im not sure it will open that shortly. Technically whilst the landowner owns the land they dont own the property built on it and you can be sure if there is significant creditors of the company they will put a lien against the property. However maybe there was a clause in the agreement lease of whats rights landowner would have if a default occurs. You would have to see lease agreement to know for sure. Afaik the land cant be returned for use as agricultural land for a number of years due to the chemicals and pesticides used on the golf course.

newport2

TheGrump wrote: »

If the land was leased by the club and the club has now gone bust, I'd wager it will open again very shortly. There's no way the landowner is going to let it's asset fade away. No consolotion for the members that forked out their subs though

As suggested earlier, you guys should try and form a group and approach local clubs for a group deal on membership. Why not try Palmerstown, a bit of a trek, but a great course and nearly empty at weekends so should be able to take a large number. Obviously they would have to give some garauntees though. I know in Tulfarris they garaunteed all members fees would be refunded if it went belly up. From what I hear the members fees are held in an account and the club only get it in monthly installments, so that if it goes bust the remainder of the money is given back to the members

I enquired at Palmerstown late last year and they said they weren't taking members until the club was sold. Have they managed to sell it?

TheGrump

Russman wrote: »

Agreed. Even if they manage to pull through, how many members will stay or how many new members will they be able to attract, given they'll have already closed once. Unfortunately it seems like its game over.
Total shame for the members. Pity, as its a good track.

If the land was leased by the club and the club has now gone bust, I'd wager it will open again very shortly. There's no way the landowner is going to let it's asset fade away. No consolotion for the members that forked out their subs though

As suggested earlier, you guys should try and form a group and approach local clubs for a group deal on membership. Why not try Palmerstown, a bit of a trek, but a great course and nearly empty at weekends so should be able to take a large number. Obviously they would have to give some garauntees though. I know in Tulfarris they garaunteed all members fees would be refunded if it went belly up. From what I hear the members fees are held in an account and the club only get it in monthly installments, so that if it goes bust the remainder of the money is given back to the members

Whyner

sodbuster77 wrote: »

Anyway...on with the business of looking for a new club!

What you thinking? Beech Park, Newlands?

Russman

thegen wrote: »

The South County Golf Club (2004) Ltd regrets to announce that the company has taken the decision to cease operations as of this morning, May 9th, until further notice.

The highlighted piece above seems odd.

Agreed. Even if they manage to pull through, how many members will stay or how many new members will they be able to attract, given they'll have already closed once. Unfortunately it seems like its game over.
Total shame for the members. Pity, as its a good track.

chuckieamc

I am a member in SC since November last, got no text ,got no email, got no news until a friend contacted me.
Absolutely gutted. I had some hope that it was a rumour until I came on here....

golfnut1

k.p.h wrote: »

Jaysus lads, this is terrible. Sorry to hear it especially since so many of ye were members.

Just one thing though, I can't really get my head around it. I'm not exactly privy to all the financial goings on with golf clubs, but what type of scenario would have to happen for this to happen..? I would have imagined that a golf club would always be better off restructuring and trying to compete and turn a profit rather than closing there doors..

I'm not familiar with sc and other surrounding clubs or there situation but if a bank has an intrest in a few clubs in close proximity and are struggling the bank might have decided to cut funding and kill the competition to support another that the bank have a bigger interest in. In other words a calculated risk to take the hit on x @ 200k in the hope of saving y where 2 million is invested.
All speculation of course but something doesn't seem right here at all, not when the members had no clue. I would think this is more down to outside factors rather than the club itself. Time will tell.

thegen

The South County Golf Club (2004) Ltd regrets to announce that the company has taken the decision to cease operations as of this morning, May 9th, until further notice. The decision has been taken as the company has become insolvent and the company has had no option but to cease operations. The company has been operating under extremely difficult market conditions in Ireland for golf clubs generally. The Company regrets having to take this action and further announcements regarding Shareholder and Creditor meetings will be made in due course.

South County Golf Club (2004) Ltd would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of its employees at this time. We thank them, together with those shareholders and other parties who have supported the golf club and the Company down through the years.

The highlighted piece above seems odd.

one ill cat

mike12 wrote: »

So its a members club and i presume the board are all members if so its a Crap way to treat other members., Who is the land leased off. Maybe they will do a deal with the creditors and staff and then re open.
Can't see why they didn't let people know they were in diffculty before this and see if the members could come up with a way to save the club rather than just take everyones subs for the year and then shut the club.
Mike

imo this is the biggest part that doesn't make sense. I've heard that other clubs in similar positions in the past would have called an EGM to alert members to how critical the situation is. Surely the best way to have dealt with this would have been to get as many people as possible on board to try to generate revenue, should it be new members, green fees, business for the bar/restaurant etc

Russman

ipitydafool wrote: »

If the closure of South County is a final as the posters are saying i reckon the members looking for a new place, should try and meet and get a bulk membership offer from other local clubs. they might even be prepared to offer a special reduced rate for this year if a large number are joining and given your unfortunate circumstances.

+1
It might be insensitive or too early to be picking over the carcass of a club, but I'd imagine the clubs close to South County, the likes of Beech Park, Slade Valley etc etc would be only too happy to cut some sort of deal with groups of members.

ipitydafool

mike12 wrote: »

So its a members club and i presume the board are all members if so its a Crap way to treat other members., Who is the land leased off. Maybe they will do a deal with the creditors and staff and then re open.
Can't see why they didn't let people know they were in diffculty before this and see if the members could come up with a way to save the club rather than just take everyones subs for the year and then shut the club.
Mike

+1, seems the board have acted in a real underhanded manner not disclosing financial position, emailing members a few months ago telling all everything rosey when it obv not. I mean im sure members could have helped drum up business through their contacts, fundraising etc to help save club if they knew the place could close. I could be wrong but isnt this what Knockanallly did a couple of years ago to save off closure?

Mr. Larson

Terrible news, played the Wednesday Open there many times and always enjoyed the course, the facilities and the company of any of the members I ever played with. Sickened for the members. What a waste!

ipitydafool

one ill cat wrote: »

The club was/is owned by the shareholders, who also elected the board. The land was leased.

If the land was being leased for a considerable yearly sum then the long term viability of the place as a golf course would definitely have to be looked at. I wonder was this well known and in particular to the new members just paying a sub fee. Id agree with other posters a good background check on the financials of a golf course before joining nowadays is required or else pay by direct debit. The funny thing is though some of the courses being run by Nama guarantee to new members coming in that the course will stay open for the year. I know in New Forest GC in Westmeath that is the case. If the closure of South County is a final as the posters are saying i reckon the members looking for a new place, should try and meet and get a bulk membership offer from other local clubs. they might even be prepared to offer a special reduced rate for this year if a large number are joining and given your unfortunate circumstances.

mike12

one ill cat wrote: »

The club was/is owned by the shareholders, who also elected the board. The land was leased.

So its a members club and i presume the board are all members if so its a Crap way to treat other members., Who is the land leased off. Maybe they will do a deal with the creditors and staff and then re open.
Can't see why they didn't let people know they were in diffculty before this and see if the members could come up with a way to save the club rather than just take everyones subs for the year and then shut the club.
Mike

the lawman

Really sorry to hear this and feel so bad for the members and the guys on here.

Surely there must be a club that can make some form of deal for the current members at least until the end of the year? Win win for both parties if something could be arranged.

I hope all can get as much back as they can.

one ill cat

k.p.h wrote: »

Jaysus lads, this is terrible. Sorry to hear it especially since so many of ye were members.

Just one thing though, I can't really get my head around it. I'm not exactly privy to all the financial goings on with golf clubs, but what type of scenario would have to happen for this to happen..? I would have imagined that a golf club would always be better off restructuring and trying to compete and turn a profit rather than closing there doors..

You'd think that would be the preferred option going forward alright. Surely it would make sense to try & salvage something instead of writing the hole thing off, but it all seems so final so quickly.

Whyner

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

Shocking news. Desperately sorry situation. The members deserve much, much better.

Nice move Sheet. I'll be taking this hit on the chin

one ill cat

mike12 wrote: »

First of all sorry to all involved.
Was it a members club? Or who was it owned by?
Was it like Moyvalley where you just bought a share?
Can't see how a club that has a membership base like that can go belly up the Bar levy should have kept that breaking even. I think there are questions to be asked here.
It's a shame that they did what Turvey did and took in new members right up until they closed the doors.
I'm afraid they will be the first of maybe 5/6 clubs to fold. I'm thinking of the ones with big empty new club houses, seems now a days bars are just a drain on the clubs resourses and i can see a lot of clubs closing them down to survive.
Think it should be the first question u ask now when going for a new membership can i see the books and can i pay by direct debit.

The club was/is owned by the shareholders, who also elected the board. The land was leased.

k.p.h

Jaysus lads, this is terrible. Sorry to hear it especially since so many of ye were members.

Just one thing though, I can't really get my head around it. I'm not exactly privy to all the financial goings on with golf clubs, but what type of scenario would have to happen for this to happen..? I would have imagined that a golf club would always be better off restructuring and trying to compete and turn a profit rather than closing there doors..

golfwallah

I sympathise with members, particularly new ones who have just paid their fees (and also considering their website is still advertising for membership).

This makes you wonder how many more clubs are “on the brink”, now that 2012 membership number positions are known.

I’ve heard of 2 other clubs calling EGMs because membership numbers are down significantly. One of these clubs has also put staff on protective notice.

Judging from the shocked reaction (Turvey in 2011 and now South County), it shows that prospective new members are well advised to check out a club’s finances before joining (or reduce risk by paying monthly). Either ask for a copy of the audited accounts or get a copy for a small fee from cro.ie (if club is a limited company).

The audited accounts won’t predict a sudden fall in membership but give a good indication of last 2 years financial performance. This is better than relying totally on hype from websites, etc.

ShriekingSheet

Shocking news. Desperately sorry situation. The members deserve much, much better.

mike12

First of all sorry to all involved.
Was it a members club? Or who was it owned by?
Was it like Moyvalley where you just bought a share?
Can't see how a club that has a membership base like that can go belly up the Bar levy should have kept that breaking even. I think there are questions to be asked here.
It's a shame that they did what Turvey did and took in new members right up until they closed the doors.
I'm afraid they will be the first of maybe 5/6 clubs to fold. I'm thinking of the ones with big empty new club houses, seems now a days bars are just a drain on the clubs resourses and i can see a lot of clubs closing them down to survive.
Think it should be the first question u ask now when going for a new membership can i see the books and can i pay by direct debit.

brianodub

Sad news. Played there many times. Was maturing into a lovely course.

scubapro

Golfwallahs thread:(

link_2007

sodbuster77 wrote: »

Anyway...on with the business of looking for a new club!

Where to start?