Officials of the Christy O'Connor Club have moved to allay the fears of regular players at the Dublin Corporation course at Sillogue that their playing opportunities are to be severely curtailed.

As reported in last week's column, the O'Connor club has moved to Sillogue following the termination of its lease with Hollystown. One correspondent expressed the "deep resentment" felt by the existing users of the pay-for-play facility that they are being squeezed out but the O'Connor club secretary/manager Denis Darcy disagrees strongly.

"Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes we do operate a timesheet and our members do have preferential treatment at times as do societies. The reality is that no one will be turned away. If people are worried then I think they are under a misapprehension and I would welcome hearing from them directly."

To encourage a harmonious relationship with the local community, the O'Connor club will be providing free golf clinics for juniors during the school holidays and the money they pay the corporation should help with the maintenance of the course. Hopefully when all parties sit down to review the arrangement at the end of the year it will have proved to be a good one for the game of golf.