Irish golf clubs predict loss of MILLIONS in green fee losses

Irish golf gems Royal Portrush and Portmarnock have both revealed to the Belfast Telegraph that they face green fee losses in the regions of millions of pounds as a resulf of the coronavirus pandemic.

Portrush, which hosted The Open last year, has told its members that is green fee income will be just shy of £150,000 instead of its expected £2 million as a result of cancellations and postponements due to COVID-19. 

The Belfast Telegraph reports that Royal Portrush is budgeting for a total loss of more than £1 million in 2020, and could soon seek voluntary redundancies as a result of the pandemic. 

"Council have decided, as a first step, to ascertain if any staff are interested in voluntary redundancy although the club would review applications based on our operating needs," confirmed the golf club in a letter to its members. 

It added: "Royal Portrush GC can confirm that it has begun a process of engagement with members of staff and due to the sensitive nature of these decisions the club will be making no further comment on the matter."

The huge drop in green fee bookings comes as a result of the majority of the club's visitors travelling to play the course from far and wide. 

A club spokesperson said: "Over 80% of the club's visitors are from overseas and as a result of the continuing uncertainty caused by the global health crisis, many bookings have either been cancelled or postponed.

"The club is carrying out an ongoing review of all areas of its cost base and staff levels."

The paper also confirms that Portmarnock is reporting a similar loss in green fee income this year, and may have to resort to imposing a levy on its members in order to cover such losses due to the pandemic.

It is understood the club may need to imposition a levy of €5,000 per person, spread over three years, in a bid to make for the shortfall.