doonbeg goes into receivership.

First Up · 12-02-2014 03:33PM

Ernest Oreo wrote: »

all of their high profile assets use the name 'Trump'
common sense and not a big issue imo

It's the brand and he has invested a lot in developing it. It would be totally daft not to use it.

John Divney · 12-02-2014 03:39PM

I don't think Americans come here to play natural links golf because of the Trump name, that's what they are escaping from.

Less monstrous hotels and faux gold

First Up · 12-02-2014 03:46PM

John Divney wrote: »

I don't think Americans come here to play natural links golf because of the Trump name, that's what they are escaping from.

Less monstrous hotels and faux gold

Of course there are serious American golfers who want the "real" links experience but there's a market for those who like their creature comforts too. I think the combination of the Trump brand and the Irish experience will tap into a market but it remains to be seen how big it is. I suspect he will be looking at the UK and mainland European markets too.

Ernest Oreo · 12-02-2014 03:50PM

Lots of Japanese and Chinese dudes around too.
They love Trump - he is seen as a successful business and family man.

First Up · 12-02-2014 03:59PM

Ernest Oreo wrote: »

Lots of Japanese and Chinese dudes around too.
They love Trump - he is seen as a successful business and family man.

True - big brand in Asia. Ireland hasn't done well tapping the Japs; they go to Scotland in their droves to play the obvious courses but we've had limited success getting them to include Ireland. The Chinese market is new but potentially huge. Mind you the 6-7 hour rounds will put some people off.

Ernest Oreo · 12-02-2014 04:21PM

There is growing speculation in the west that Trump might actually put in a bid for Lahinch or Waterville. Lahinch being his first choice, as far as I know.
Trump could overhaul the entire Irish golf industry within a matter of days.

First Up · 12-02-2014 04:25PM

Ernest Oreo wrote: »

There is growing speculation in the west that Trump might actually put in a bid for Lahinch or Waterville. Lahinch being his first choice, as far as I know.
Trump could overhaul the entire Irish golf industry within a matter of days.

Scary thought but it would greatly strengthen his hand if he had more than one course to offer. The Americans in particular who come all this way want to play a range of courses.
Waterville is already American owned - used to be anyway.

Kevinmarkham · 12-02-2014 04:31PM

First Up wrote: »

Of course there are serious American golfers who want the "real" links experience but there's a market for those who like their creature comforts too. I think the combination of the Trump brand and the Irish experience will tap into a market but it remains to be seen how big it is. I suspect he will be looking at the UK and mainland European markets too.

This is exactly what the 'old' Doonbeg was doing - targeting the wealthy American golfing market. That's what its purpose was from the start. The Trump name may help, but it's not going to be a big shift in strategy.

First Up wrote: »

True - big brand in Asia. Ireland hasn't done well tapping the Japs; they go to Scotland in their droves to play the obvious courses but we've had limited success getting them to include Ireland. The Chinese market is new but potentially huge. Mind you the 6-7 hour rounds will put some people off.

Irish golf organisations have been pushing for the Chinese and Japanese markets over the last couple of years - it'll be interesting to see if Trump does help in that regard.

Ernest Oreo · 12-02-2014 04:31PM

I'm surprised he didnt think Fota was good value.
Probably just didnt have that x-factor necessary to join Trump International.

PARlance · 12-02-2014 04:49PM

Ernest Oreo wrote: »

I'm surprised he didnt think Fota was good value.
Probably just didnt have that x-factor necessary to join Trump International.

Think the X factor = Links golf for Trump and his target market (when looking at Irish/UK courses).

That said, Donald Junior was featured on Newstalk this morning saying that they were over here a year ago and they looked at 12 courses... So they probably visited a few parkland.

Could only see them adding a parkland if they had 2 links' bought.

First Up · 12-02-2014 04:53PM

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

This is exactly what the 'old' Doonbeg was doing - targeting the wealthy American golfing market. That's what its purpose was from the start. The Trump name may help, but it's not going to be a big shift in strategy.

Irish golf organisations have been pushing for the Chinese and Japanese markets over the last couple of years - it'll be interesting to see if Trump does help in that regard.

Everyone who has tried that business model up to now (Doonbeg, Old Head, Fota, Adare) has over-estimated the size of that market. The older courses like Ballybunion, Lahinch and RCG do OK as they are not servicing huge debt.
No question Trump has the deep pockets, brand and network to give it a serious go. The members of his US courses will be a big target - not necessarily for memberships but certainly for visits.

John Divney · 12-02-2014 05:25PM

Why would Lahinch be sold?

First Up · 12-02-2014 05:34PM

John Divney wrote: »

Why would Lahinch be sold?

Fair question. Most unlikely to be agreed by the members. Waterville could be a different proposition.

John Divney · 12-02-2014 05:38PM

First Up wrote: »

Fair question. Most unlikely to be agreed by the members. Waterville could be a different proposition.

They are probably already maxed out on oversea members anyway. It's world renowned.

Don't see it being any use to Trump, and the members would probably rather the sea reclaimed it first

First Up · 12-02-2014 05:48PM

John Divney wrote: »

They are probably already maxed out on oversea members anyway. It's world renowned.

Don't see it being any use to Trump, and the members would probably rather the sea reclaimed it first

Probably right. Lahinch is a members club first and foremost.
You can see why offering a couple or more courses would add to the attraction of crossing the Atlantic. Could be possible for Trump to do deals with some of the other courses. A lot of that goes on already.

John Divney · 12-02-2014 05:54PM

First Up wrote: »

Probably right. Lahinch is a members club first and foremost.
You can see why offering a couple or more courses would add to the attraction of crossing the Atlantic. Could be possible for Trump to do deals with some of the other courses. A lot of that goes on already.

Wouldn't mind if he bought a NAMA job like Portmarnock links, Trade on the Portmarnock name,hotel there, right by airport etc

FixdePitchmark · 12-02-2014 06:50PM

It is all a bit too much for my little head to process at this stage. "I'm fired".

8 pm "Traditional Irish Music Karaoke"
Day trip in am " Dolphin fishing in Dingle"

First Up · 12-02-2014 06:58PM

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

It is all a bit too much for my little head to process at this stage. "I'm fired".

8 pm "Traditional Irish Music Karaoke"
Day trip in am " Dolphin fishing in Dingle"

I'd like to see how that hairdo stands up to weather like this.

PARlance · 12-02-2014 07:05PM

First Up wrote: »

I'd like to see how that hairdo stands up to weather like this.

It's like a misplaced divot

FixdePitchmark · 12-02-2014 07:07PM

PARlance wrote: »

It's like a misplaced divot

I'd say he plays Corballis a bit.

Now there is a place close to the airport - with a mobile home site very close.

I'd chain myself to the gates.

Ronney · 12-02-2014 09:49PM

Slightly off topic but all this Donald Trump talk reminds me of this classic response from Obama to Trump questioning his place of birth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9mzJhvC-8E

denishurley · 13-02-2014 01:32AM

First Up wrote: »

I'd like to see how that hairdo stands up to weather like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K0JWinWQu4

First Up · 13-02-2014 10:44AM

denishurley wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K0JWinWQu4

I hope they sell woolly hats in the pro shop when he comes to play Doonbeg.

Dbu · 13-02-2014 11:19AM

First Up wrote: »

I'd like to see how that hairdo stands up to weather like this.

not very well trump.jpg

golfwallah · 13-02-2014 12:04PM

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

A place like Doonbeg was always going to be bought, it was simply a question of who bit off the receivers' hand first. I'm not surprised at all that Trump jumped in - it's perfect for him and he'll probably do very well with it. I see more houses in Doonbeg's future.

It was and will remain an exclusive resort. Knowing how Trump operates it will become even more exclusive. Realistically, Trump's purchase may change very little - it will always be out of reach for the majority of Irish golfers (not that Trump will care), but now that it has Trump's name all over it (literally) most of that Irish majority may aspire to play elsewhere.

I had hoped to get an Inside The Ropes gig down there in March, but won't be trying now.

Agreed - Doonbeg is in a different market segment to the majority of Irish Golf Clubs and to that appealing to the majority of Irish golfers. This situation will continue under the Trump International brand - so it may as well be another sport or industry as far as most of golfers are concerned.

That said, it can only be good for the economy if, as I expect, it succeeds in attracting additional money and business into the economy.

"Every little helps"!

ProV · 13-02-2014 08:43PM

Fore .....! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59iESNWDNXY

golfwallah · 14-02-2014 12:55PM

Interview with Don & Eric Trump in the Indo:
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/on-a-clare-day-the-trump-boys-reveal-cavan-connection-30008665.html

John Divney · 14-02-2014 01:32PM

http://m.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/donald-trump-scraps-second-menie-golf-course-1-3305243

He's pulled the plug on further investment in Aberdeen, having promised them the earth.

They got on poxy course and a glorified b&b in exchange for wrecking one of the rarest habitats in europe

Ernest Oreo · 17-02-2014 08:43PM

not a very balanced perspective, imo.
Trump will bring scottish golf into the 21st century, imo.
God knows the Scots need something to be cheerful about.

Kevinmarkham · 17-02-2014 08:53PM

Ernest Oreo wrote: »

Trump will bring scottish golf into the 21st century, imo.

Can I ask what you mean by 'bring scottish golf into the 21st century'? As opposed to what?

doonbeg goes into receivership.

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