Feature2 : xx
The Comfort of
Great Golf
The Stay & Play market offers golfers the perfect insight into Irish golf , writes Kevin Markham .
The Inn at Dromoland
The year 2020 was one that saw a significant evolution in Ireland ’ s stay & play market . Ask any golf club about their international business and it won ’ t be a pretty picture … but ask about domestic business and it ’ s a different story . As much as the loss of international business had a drastic impact on clubs , restaurants , bars and accommodation providers , the upside should last long into the future as Irish golfers discovered new Irish destinations and golf courses around the island .
“ It really has been a year of change for Carne , and one of the benefits of the lack of international travel has been that our share of Irish golfers increased hugely this year , and their general consensus is that they will be returning to Carne - it was a course that many said they had been meaning to play for years , but felt it was a bit far , but given the circumstances this year they made it part of their staycation and decided it really isn ’ t that far after all !” Fiona Togher , General Manager , Carne Golf Links
The likelihood of Irish golfers returning to these courses should offer ‘ a glass half full ’ mentality after such a difficult year . And with 2021 looking like it will follow a similar path , Irish golfers be anticipating some mouth-watering stay & play deals . The hotels in Belmullet ( the Broadhaven Bay and The Talbot , most notably ) may not be part of the golf course but you can be sure there will be deals available that tie them together . This will be a common theme nationwide and for those international travellers who like to collate their own itineraries many of those same deals will apply .
Destination Golf produces a World Stay & Play guide and six Irish resorts make the list . With golf such a major tourism attraction , and over 400 courses across the island , it is no surprise that golf courses and hotel resorts often go hand-inhand . From the five star super luxury of places such as Mount
14 | DestinationGolf . travel