"Low handicap golfer seeks membership of Powerscourt or Glen of the Downs to rent for next year." This appeal from a recent not ice from the Personal Column of this newspaper illustrates the current huge demand for access to quality golfing facilities. Membership is so difficult to come by and entrance fees so high a market in annual rentals is opening.

Both clubs mentioned do allow members to nominate another person to replace them for a year, although, especially in Powerscourt, it is seen as an exceptional situation.

He needn't have worried in this case because the several replies received all came from Glen of the Downs members and the prospective golfer, a South African who has moved to Ireland, now has the chance to play the Peter McEvoy-designed course throughout the year.