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By Sean Moriarty

Current COVID-19 imposed restrictions are having mixed effects on golf clubs all over the county.

Both Killorglin and Castleisland Golf Clubs face an uncertain future. Both have ceased trading with one member of the Killorglin club describing the current restrictions as the “final nail in the coffin”.

“The restrictions came after four weekends of storms where we had nobody out playing golf in February so we had no money coming in,” Killorglin member Mike Ashe told the Killarney Advertiser.

Efforts are going on in the background to save both clubs but the current crisis is not helping matters.

Killorglin Golf Club was founded in 1992, with an 18-hole, par 72 parkland course designed by Eddie Hackett, a renowned Irish golf architect. It is popular with locals and tourists both for the quality of the course and for the stunning views it offers of Dingle Bay and the MacGillicuddy’s Reeks.

Killarney Golf and Fishing Club remains optimistic that its season can get back on track and is reporting an increase in enquiries from former members of both the Killorglin and Castleisland clubs.

“Since Killorglin Golf Club and Castleisland Golf Club closed last month, we have had an increase in membership enquiries from golfers who now want to find a new club to play from,” Killarney Golf and Fishing Club marketing manager Meg Dalton told the Killarney Advertiser.

The Killarney Club will remain closed until May 5 at least.

“Like the majority of tourism and hospitality businesses here in Killarney we are expecting a loss of revenue from bookings for our 2020 golf season. However, we remain optimistic as many of our visitors are rescheduling their bookings with us either to later in 2020 or 2021," she added.

"We are also committed to maintaining the jobs of all our employees relying on the Government's financial aid scheme to assist us. Our main concern is for the well-being of our team and golf club members. As a golf club community, we are all one hundred percent onboard with the closure to minimise the health risk of the COVID-19 pandemic.”