In September, after a brief stop in Liverpool to meet a large group touring there (it was so close we couldn't pass up the opportunity to drop in and meet them), Ron attended the Golf Ireland Conference at the Slieve Russell Hotel and it seemed like only a month or so since he was last in Ireland (oh wait, it was!!!).
The Golf Ireland Conference is important for Golf Away Tours as we meet with all our current suppliers to find out what new and exciting developments are happening at their properties while also meeting and discussing opportunities for our clients with new suppliers.
We are also given the chance to explore new properties on Familiarization Tours (FAM Trips) and this time we got off the beaten path to North West Ireland and were blown away by some of the courses we saw and played there - absolutely amazing golf!!!!
The Golf Ireland Conference is important for Golf Away Tours as we meet with all our current suppliers to find out what new and exciting developments are happening at their properties while also meeting and discussing opportunities for our clients with new suppliers.
We are also given the chance to explore new properties on Familiarization Tours (FAM Trips) and this time we got off the beaten path to North West Ireland and were blown away by some of the courses we saw and played there - absolutely amazing golf!!!!
September saw me in Liverpool, a fantastic golf destination with not only 3 of the “Royal Courses” (Birkdale, Liverpool and Lytham & St Annes – all on the Open Rota) but an almost endless list of great links course to play – plus the atmosphere and entertainment of the home of the Beatles, Liverpool. We’ll do more on Liverpool in the future but I did make a quick stop to meet one of our groups, 16 clients from Toronto, and have a little dinner, squeeze in a round of golf, and actually somehow survive a day with them at this amazing golf destination. How they were able to survive a week there with all the golf and fun they were having is beyond me!
With an injured liver and a few dollars less in my pocket from losing on the golf course (I blame the rental clubs 😊), I arrived at the Slieve Russell Resort in Ireland which was hosting the first in person Golf Ireland Conference snice 2019. The Slieve Russell is a beautiful countryside resort with an absolutely stunning property, full spa facilities, huge rooms (mine was one of the biggest I’ve had in a long time with a great view of the course) and one of the great parkland courses in Ireland - PGA National, Slieve Russell.
 | Night 1 was an informal opportunity to have dinner and catch up with old friends and that was followed by a fun scramble tournament on the PGA Slieve Russell. You can’t have a Golf Ireland Conference without a Golf Tournament! The golf tournament was followed by the event banquet with more networking opportunities over the amazing food at the Slieve Russell, plus some super Irish Hospitality and entertainment. |
Yes, we did work at the conference and the next day was packed with meetings in the conference center and if I was to highlight a few themes, they would be as follows:
- Ireland has bounced back – strong! They have had the busiest summer ever and bookings are extending all the way into November – unprecedented demand in 2022!
- The hospitality industry there, much like in North America, really is struggling with finding qualified employees. It has been particularly tough this year, but they expect it to resolve itself over the winter.
- 2023 is shaping up to be another banner year. While there is still availability it is getting more limited, but everyone is working hard to meet demand.
- Investment over the pandemic was huge! So many properties took the opportunity to improve their offerings and we will all benefit from this on our visits to the Emerald Isle.
- Investment plans are equally as strong moving forward.
- Seeing the Slieve Donard’s investment plans and renderings of the renovations they plan to make convinced me a great property will be even better in the future
- Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links's investment of multi millions of Euros for course improvements will make an already great links experience even more exciting
- The legendary Irish Hospitality is still going strong! I saw it not only at the Slieve Russell, but also with all the suppliers while on my post conference trip. The Irish people make you feel welcome!
All in all, there is an air of excitement and optimism in Ireland. There is a united front from all the suppliers and while each supplier has their own individual plans and are competing for our business, there is a joint effort in place to continue improving this already world class golf destination.
Meetings done, final dinner completed, and goodbyes said to old and new friends alike, it was time for my FAM trip so off to the Wild Atlantic Way I headed with 20 other tour operators to explore 5 golf courses, 3 hotels, enjoy a gin tour and tasting plus dine in some amazing restaurants – all over 3 action packed days.
    | I’ll summarize it again in a few bullet points:
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If I had to sum everything up into 1 phrase it would be “Get to Ireland and experience it yourself”! You really will enjoy the great golf and hospitality of this amazing country, whether you hit the “usual suspects” or are a bit more adventurous and venture into the places like the North West and Wild Atlantic Way of Ireland, you will discover why Ireland is a favourite destination of not only TJ and me, but many of our clients as well.
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