Since I last wrote to you much has happened here in Druids Glen Hotel and Golf Resort, most notably the sun is shining, buggies are permitted on the course again, golfers are smiling, and sun cream sales have soared. 

After what can be best described as a miserable Winter, it is great to see both courses busy again with our members and guests; everyone seems to be enjoying their golf and long may it last!

From Pilot Event to Phenomenal Success: The Golf Ireland Women in Sport Scramble Thrives

The first great achievement I would like to highlight was the phenomenal success of the Golf Ireland Women in Sport Scramble hosted by our Brand Ambassador and RTÉ presenter Jacqui Hurley and supported by AIG.

This was the third annual event and the first to take place in Druids Glen, the first two events were played on Druids Heath. Jacqui hosted the pilot event in 2022 and following its success it has grown to over 60 golfers attending in 2023 alongside Irish LPGA star Leona Maguire and over 70 in Druids Glen for 2024. Such was the profile and growth of the event that we felt it would be fantastic to see the ladies play in Druids Glen in 2024. 

The field consists of women in sport from ten different sporting backgrounds along with representatives from the media, NGBs and Sport Ireland. A lot of you will have seen the incredible social media coverage this event received but all credit must go to Jacqui as the driving force behind the event.

I recall speaking to Jacqui the morning after the event:

“I remember this magic moment where Olivia O’Toole was in the room, she had been a soccer legend and one of the rugby girls said I’d love to meet Olivia and I brought her over.

“Olivia gave her a huge hug and was like: ‘Ah you were amazing in the rugby’ and it was like, she knows who I am????”

“This is what it should be because it feels like it’s always been that way for the lads and lots of guys that I know would get invited to those events all the time.

“My thoughts were, wouldn’t it be great if we could do something like this for our sportswomen where they really feel appreciated and they feel like they get some of the big days out.”

“It just keeps growing and growing every year and I hope we’ll be able to do this for a long time to come because it is probably my favourite event of the year. Golf Ireland do a great job trying to make it easy for people."

Thank you so much to Jacqui, Golf Ireland and AIG along with all the attendees for making this event the wonderful annual event that it has become.

The Dublin Journalists Celebrate 50 Years at Druids Glen

The Dublin Journalists celebrated their 50th anniversary this year which is a quite incredible achievement for any society. Where better to celebrate the occasion than in Druids Glen.

Upon their arrival I made my way to the golf shop to greet them. I was taken aback when I was presented with a kind gift to mark the occasion of playing Druids Glen to celebrate 50 years in existence.

“On behalf of the Dublin Journalists Golf Society, a heartfelt thanks to you and all the team at Druids Glen Resort for the warmth of the welcome on Monday last.”

Everyone who played was wowed by the experience. The post-round feedback was hugely positive. The group did their best to take in the free-flowing water courses, the pared back rough, the encroaching water feature on the new fourth green, the walkways to and from the 17th, the new water lay-out on the 18th, the new-look golf shop and the clubhouse, the outstanding post-round Fish Chowder and warm brown bread. And there was much more.

It was also lovely to receive a shout to Rhys Jordan our Druids Glen Operations Supervisor who was most friendly and welcoming. The first point of contact for any visitor/member sets the tone and Rhys does an excellent job in that regard. In the speeches it was mentioned that Neville Hotels have done an outstanding job and the days ahead will be bigger and better for all at Druids Glen. A return of the Irish Open can't be far away.  

One of the best moments for me was that we had a great winner in Andrew O'Connor, son of the legendary Tim, the former Druids Glen captain. Another connection is our esteemed member and Past Captain Oliver McCann, who also is a member of the Dublin Journalists and was with the group on the day too.

I’m sure the members of the society will spread the word that Druids Glen is back where it belongs - at the summit of Irish parkland golf. 

Impressive Drives at The Mercedes-Benz South Dublin Open Competition Series

The "Mercedes-Benz South Dublin" Open Competition Series commenced this month at Druids Glen Golf Club and to say that the events have been popular is an understatement. As I sit and write this blog we have played host to 3 events with full timesheets on each occasion.

The Series consists of Six qualifying events held weekly on Tuesdays from 7th May to 11th June.

I have managed to linger around the shop (trying not to get in the way) for each of the events held so far. Each week I am meeting people travelling from as far as Cork, Donegal, Belfast and Wexford, literally all four corners of Ireland and everywhere in between. It has been incredible to see the support the series has received from the Irish Golfing community and it has really hit home how important it is to play host to Open Competitions and give Golf Ireland members the opportunity to compete on the championship layout in Druids Glen.

Open Competitions have always been extremely popular on Druids Heath and to see the numbers competing in Druids Glen is just fantastic and I am committed to more Open Competitions on Druids Glen in the future.

The winner of each of the qualifiers will then win the fantastic prize of qualifying for the Grand Final on Saturday 15th June.

The 6 Qualifiers will each receive on the eve of the final:
A luxury overnight stay at the five-star Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort
Dinner for two in Hugo’s Restaurant, which holds two AA rosettes
A complimentary lesson with a PGA Golf Professional
A golfer’s massage in our Spa and breakfast on the morning of the final

The Overall Winner of the "Mercedes-Benz South Dublin" Open Competition Series will receive:
A "Mercedes-Benz South Dublin" Open Competition Series Trophy
A Luxury Weekend Away for Two People

There are still 3 events remaining on May 28th, June 4th and June 11th.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

"The Mercedes-Benz South Dublin dealership is delighted to be partnering with Druids Glen in the inaugural “Mercedes-Benz South Dublin Golf Series”. We are half way through our 6 competition days and we’ve loved every minute of it….of course the weather so far has helped the mood (and the golf) immensely. 

We are looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Druids Glen Golf Club and many more years of the “Mercedes-Benz South Dublin Golf Series” to come. We have a coveted trophy to fill with the names of winners for years to come after all! 

We hope that all the participants have enjoyed the event so far and we hope to see you again next year!"

Exclusive Rates for Golf Ireland Members at Druids Glen

Further to the success of the Mercedes-Benz South Dublin Series we have also received feedback from the Irish golfing community regarding the need for Golf Ireland member rates.

Well, what can I say; ask and you shall receive!

The open competition series has more than proven the love and support that the Irish golfing community has for Druids Glen and Druids Heath and with this in mind we are pleased to announce our Golf Ireland rates for 2024. Golf Ireland rates are visible on our online booking engine and we look forward to welcoming golfers from all over Ireland throughout the summer.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK

More Than Just Golf: A Look at Member Activity and Collaboration at Druids Glen

I really felt for our members at the start of this year, the weather was so poor that many of our members played little or no golf throughout the winter. Members who require a buggy were waking up to daily emails informing them that buggies were not permitted and those brave members that did get out and play were either blown around for 18 holes or rained on for 18 holes.

Needless to say, the improved weather has seen lots and lots of member activity. Druids Heath & Druids Glen members have been busy! 

Captains Karl and Maureen in Druids Heath along with Vincent in Druids Glen have really led from the front so far. The Captains Drive-In saw a Barbie themed event which really did suit Karl down to the ground as can be seen from the pictures on the day. A hugely fun day was had by all in attendance, and this was just the beginning.

Since then, the Druids Heath Committee and my own team have positively collaborated on:

Interclub Information Nights for members
A great event which saw great buy in from the members for interclub events in 2024 and has more than shown worthwhile from the positive results seen so far,

A new restaurant menu and opening hours
We were delighted to collaborate with the club Committees to implement new fresh and exciting ideas in the restaurants of both clubs. The feedback has been excellent so far and we were also delighted to welcome our new chef Adnan in Druids Glen Golf Club.

A Zoom Webinar Invitation for Club Committees
A valuable evening for committee members hosted by Golf Ireland which many ideas have been taken from.

Implementing medals and a Captains Day for 5-day members
The 5-day members in the Heath are delighted with this initiative and this has resulted in a great number of new 5-day members in the club.

Our annual ladies fashion show
I honestly don’t know if I look forward to or live in fear of this event. It is an integral part of the ladies’ club calendar and I enjoy it so much. Up until the point I am asked to model the men’s clothes… I won’t be giving up my day job any time soon!

Visiting Captains Day
A very special day in which we invite the captains from our surrounding neighbour clubs to come unwind, network, support and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed setting with great food and great golf… there might be a few great gin and tonics too!

We are indebted to the volunteer work of our Club Captains as are our neighbour clubs and they thoroughly deserve this day to enjoy.

The Druids Glen Pro Am Returns, Sponsored by Irish Life

Last but by no means least Druids Glen Golf Club will host the Irish PGA Pro-Am tournament for the second consecutive year next week on Wednesday 29th May.  

Building on the success of last year’s event, Irish Life proudly returns as the tournament sponsor, highlighting their commitment to The Down Syndrome Centre. Last year, the event raised an outstanding €26,400 for The Down Syndrome Centre.

Simon Thornton, Winner of 2023 Pro-Am said: “It was my first time playing Druids Glen so I didn’t know what the changes were, it was all new to me. All I can say is wow, what a golf course, absolutely stunning. As much as I love other Parkland Golf Courses, I think it’s one of, if not the best, in parkland golf courses in Ireland, it’s fantastic.

“It’s class. Even with the storm last year, it was in great condition; for the 2024 event, when the greens mature, it will be even better, but with great design and great layout, I loved it.”

Dermot Gaskin, Director of Irish Life Financial Services, added: “Irish Life is delighted to continue our support of the Down Syndrome Centre and the PGA for the 7th year. The Down Syndrome Centre is close to the hearts of many of our colleagues and we were delighted that over the last six years, this event has raised more than €100k for this vital service.  Druids Glen was an excellent venue for the tournament last year and we’re delighted that we’re able to partner with them again for the 2024 event.”

With teams of three and one professional per team, the first shotgun of 18 teams will tee off at 9am, enjoying lunch afterwards, while the second shotgun of 22 teams will tee off in the afternoon, at 2.00pm, followed by an evening meal. 

Peter Gaw, Founder of the Down Syndrome Centre, said: “The Down Syndrome Centre is delighted to be the chosen charity for the Druids Glen Irish Life Pro-Am for the second year in a row. As a small charity, the continued support of Irish Life, the PGA, and now Druids Glen is vital for us in trying to look after the Down syndrome community. We are thrilled to be assisting over 350 families on a weekly basis. We look forward to meeting everyone participating at Druids Glen on 29th May.”

Sustainable Practices and Precision Care: Druids Glen Greenkeeping in Action

As usual, Jonathan Bradshaw and his team work tirelessly to prepare the golf courses in both Druids Glen and Druids Heath.

Following on from the dreadful winter I keep alluding to, both courses are really starting to take shape and will be in pristine condition for the summer months ahead. The feedback we are receiving from members and guests alike has been phenomenal in recent weeks.

Our greens have undergone intensive works in preparation for the season ahead and recently we completed our fairway sanding programme with over 1000 tonnes of sand spread over the fairways in both Druids Glen and Druids Heath.

After a wet March and April, May has been the complete opposite with mostly sunshine for the last 3 weeks. This is obviously much better for golf but does bring a different set of challenges for the Greenkeeping team. A full refurbishment of our irrigation system on both courses was completed as part of our investment project. We utilise our own water sources, which enables us to harvest and reuse rainwater in the most sustainable way possible. As water resources are becoming more and more limited, being self-sufficient is extremely important for the long-term sustainability ambitions of each and every golf course in Ireland.

Finally, on behalf of Jonathan and the greenkeeping team thank you all for your patience and understanding as we work to maintain the course in the face of changing weather patterns and increased demand on both Druids Glen and Druids Heath.