View From The Fairway - Irish Golf Club Saved By Members

Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway!

WEST Waterford Golf Club has been saved from closure after its members pooled together to buy it for £1m after it failed to sell in an online auction. There were fears that the 148-acre golf course, which is the home club of PGA Tour winner Seamus Power, would close, but a consortium of members, led by an eight-strong committee, managed to raise the funds. Spokesman Brian Hilliard told the Irish Examiner that the venue had “become a centre for the local community, a place to meet, to have a family function for special occasions and for numerous other events. What is very encouraging in recent weeks is the financial backing of non-members in the general area. These people realise the importance and many benefits this club offers from a tourist and employment perspective."

THE debate continues to rage about whether or not golf really belongs at the Olympic Games but as we now look forward to Paris in 2024 the one thing to emerge from Tokyo is that those who took part felt genuinely privileged to have represented their countries. Xander Schauffele, who won the men's gold medal, spoke of his pride at standing on the top of the podium as the American national anthem was played. And Justin Rose, who was bitterly disappointed at not being able to defend his title in Japan, says that when people visit his home for the first time they all want to see his gold medal. Rory McIlroy, who sat out the Rio Games and lost out on a bronze in Tokyo after coming up sort in a seven-man playoff, now says that he has changed his mind about the Olympics and cannot wait to get to Le Golf National and challenge for a golf medal. It is to be hoped that by the time Paris comes around all the top players will have been convinced that the Olympics are worth adding to their schedule. They will take place just after The Open so there cannot be any excuses about travel.

THERE are going to be some big and hugely significant changes on the European Tour next season. Earlier this year it was announced that there was going to be closer co-operation between the European and PGA Tours and proof of the pudding comes with the news that next season’s Scottish Open is to be co-sanctioned with the PGA Tour. Genesis have been confirmed as the title sponsors for the Scottish Open, which will be played the week before The 150th Open at St Andrews in July, with the Barbasol Championship and the Barracuda Championship also counting towards both the FedExCup and the Race to Dubai. The Irish Open will also have its prize fund increased to $6m as part of the Strategic Alliance between the PGA Tour and the European Tour, whose chief executive Keith Pelley hailed the substantial enhancement for the Scottish Open under the new three-year agreement. "We are delighted to welcome Genesis as a title sponsor of a European Tour event for the first time," said Pelley. "Genesis has a strong history of sponsorship on the PGA Tour through The Genesis Invitational, and their commitment to the Scottish Open will further enhance one of our premier events of the season.” There will also be 50 places on offer for European Tour players at both the Barbasol Championship and the Barracuda Championship, which coincide with the Scottish Open and The 150th Open next year. These are exciting times.

YOU may have missed it but Annika Sorenstam proved she is still capable of producing some world-class golf. The 50-year-old Swedish legend, a three-time US Women's Open champion, was making her first appearance in the senior event, and completed 72 holes finished at Brooklawn Country Club in 12 under par to win by EIGHT shots. With her husband on the bag and her children watching from the sidelines, Sorenstam said: "The Open has such a soft spot in my heart. It’s kind of where my career started, so to come back here and bring my family, with my husband on the bag, my two kids walking the fairways, it's really a dream come true. I worked hard for this championship. When I turned 50 I said 'I'm going to play.’ I want to support the ladies, I want to support women's golf and I figured this is what I've got to do. Coming back from 13 years was not easy. This is really a family affair. They supported me all along, they know what it takes to be out there.” And in the same event JoAnne Carner shot her age when she recorded an 82 in the opening round. She achieved the same feat in 2018. She then broke it in the second round by shooting 78. Just stop and think about that for a moment. These two ladies prove what we have always known - class is permanent.

IT is not all good news, however, with Croydon Council putting Coulsdon Manor Hotel and Golf Club up for sale due to the local authority’s financial crisis. The council effectively declared itself bankrupt last year, owing debts of about £1.5 billion, and it has now announced that it hopes to sell off various assets. The club was leased out by the Labour-run council with around £19,000 rent a year paid to it. It has been owned by the council since the 1930s, and leased since 1999. According to Inside Croydon, the current tenant, Bespoke Hotels, has already reportedly purchased the freehold. Its 125-year lease still has 103 years to run.