GOLF: While two clubs have reduced their green-fees, Dermot Gilleece finds Irish golf clubs are looking forward to 2002 with remarkable optimism

At a time when Doonbeg is set to become a significant addition to the country's golfing amenities, two leading clubs are dropping their green-fees for the coming season.

Though the items are not related, they represent crucial aspects of a market that is both highly competitive and volatile.

The Old Head of Kinsale remains the most expensive green-fee in Ireland, having increased its rate to €250 per round, against €241.30 (£190) last year.

But the gap between it and The K Club, the next most expensive, has closed markedly from almost €20 to only €5. On the other hand, Waterville and The European Club have seen fit to actually reduce their fees for the coming year, albeit marginally.

"It was a conscious decision by the directors to try and help the market in these difficult times," said the Waterville secretary/manager, Noel Cronin yesterday.

"We felt the market wouldn't sustain another rise." So, from the equivalent of €127 per round last year, the south Kerry club will be charging €125 during the coming season.

And they are offering visitors the additional incentive of a €63 round, before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m..

"Our green-fee revenue of £1,495,200 last year was actually up £140,000 on the year 2000, despite the problems of foot-and-mouth disease and September 11th," added Cronin.

"Naturally, a further increase over the coming season would be very welcome, but I will be happy if we can match that figure. Though bookings are good, confirmations are not as solid as we would wish."

Doonbeg, which is looking towards an official opening in early July, will take its anticipated place at the top end of the market, with fees of €185.

"We've looked closely at the market and set our rates at a level we believe to be appropriate," said Bill Norton, the club's public relations director yesterday.

"Our long-term strategy will be determined, however, by the public's reaction when we are up and running. At this stage, we believe that together with Greg Norman we've created a unique golf amenity at Doonbeg."

Pat Ruddy, owner of the European Club, took a typically individual view of the situation.

"We are the only golf club in the world with our currency," he said of his €100 charge for the coming year as opposed to €101.60 (£80) in 2001.

"There's no Porto, Wento, or Augusto and I don't think our friends up in Straffan would welcome the KO. Particularly gratifying is that we haven't had to pay the European Commission a cent for this distinction."

Seriously, Ruddy went on: "With the general uncertainty in the golf market at the moment, I couldn't see any justification for increasing our rates."

And this is against a background of significantly less reliance on the American market than his counterparts in the South-West of the country.

In common with other establishments, the European has special offers. For instance, the purchase of a €200 so-called loyalty ticket will cover four separate rounds.

Fota Island and Glasson are among clubs which offer varying rates for different days of the week, as opposed to the usual weekday/weekend variation. But the rates at the most expensive establishments apply to any day.

"We're in pursuit of excellence and excellence costs money," was the comment this time last year from John O'Connor, joint owner of The Old Head with his brother Patrick.

AND he hasn't changed that view, despite the cancellation of 2,000 green fees worth £380,000 after September 11th.

"Our objective is still to provide a standard the like of which may not be found elsewhere in Europe," he added. When they opened June 1997, the fee was £50 (€63.5).

The K Club, on the other hand, are confident that market forces warrant the increase in their rates. "The demand is there," said director of golf Paul Crowe. "Despite the tragedy of September 11th, we had our best-ever end-of year business in October, November and December."

He went on: "Granted, our American bookings are down at this stage, but it is early days and we would expect the re-scheduling of the Ryder Cup for next September to lift things.

"Either way, the US represents less than 30 per cent of our overall revenue and we have worked extremely hard on strengthening our share of the UK and other European markets, as well as the local, corporate scene."

The optimism at The K Club is especially significant at a time when all 18 greens of their second course have been built and they're looking towards its official opening in the middle of next year.

Mount Juliet also rely heavily on the Irish market and they report a major lift in bookings arising out of a notable event next autumn.

This is the American Express Championship, Tiger Woods et al, which will be revived at the Thomastown venue in September, after the cancellation of the 2001 staging at St Louis because of the US terrorist horrors.

The overall picture is one of remarkable optimism for golf tourism in this country during the coming year.

For instance, the major venues such as Ballybunion, Adare, Tralee and Lahinch in the South-West, have seen fit to increase their rates by about 15 per cent to €110, despite a major reliance on the American market.

Typically, Killarney have taken a more conservative approach with an increase of about nine per cent bringing the rate for the Killeen, Mahony's Point and Lackabane courses up to €70 in each case.

But there is another side to the market. For instance, up to the end of March, when their rates will be reviewed, it is possible to have a round of golf on the main course at Deer Park in Howth, Co Dublin, for €14.60 on weekdays and €18.40 weekends. And that is on a course which would be the envy of many members' clubs.

Hollystown, which has 27 holes in outstanding condition, will have green fees this year of €25 on weekdays and €35 at weekends.

And similar value can be found throughout the country, from Mount Temple in the midlands at €25 and €32 and Killorglin at €23/€26.

At the top end of the market, however, it is clear that some owners are gambling on an up-turn in the world economy and a more optimistic attitude from the American golf tourist.

Only time will tell if they are to get a favourable rub of the green.