Golfers tee up for Clare tourism

HUNDREDS of Clare golfers are being teed up to participate in an inaugural challenge to raise funds for the marketing and promotion of tourism in the county.

Over 400 golfers will play in all of the 10 local golf courses between late July and the end of September in Clare’s Ultimate Golf Challenge, which is in aid of the Clare Tourism Forum’s 2011 marketing campaign.
The eight teams of four with the best aggregate score will qualify for the finals, which will be played at Doonbeg Golf Club in October.
The participating clubs are Doonbeg, Lahinch, Kilkee, Dromoland, East Clare, Ennis, Woodstock, Shannon, Kilrush and Spanish Point.
Commenting on the initiative, Maureen Cleary of the Clare Tourism Forum said the hope is that the event would help guarantee the continuation of the successful and effective marketing and promotional activities carried out by the Clare Tourism Forum.
She hoped that fundraising initiatives, such as the golf challenge, would generate funds that would be injected into marketing and promotional activities throughout 2011.
Ms Cleary said, “This is the first golf challenge of its type to be held in the county and it is the best value golf challenge a golfer will ever experience. The challenge affords participants with a unique opportunity to play all County Clare’s golf courses for €10 per golfer and possibly qualify for a final ‘shoot out’ in Doonbeg with accommodation, golf, drinks and dinner for the qualifying team of four.”
Mark Nolan, managing director of Dromoland Castle described the golf challenge as a wonderful initiative to raise much-needed funds for the Clare Tourism Forum.
In his view, the forum represents a cohesive approach to marketing the region of Clare.
“It is wonderful to see so many established golf courses give of their time and their facilities to ensure the success of the competition. It goes to show how working collectively can achieve much more success than operating independently,” he said.
Doonbeg Golf Club manager, Joe Russell said it was very encouraging to see representatives from the golfing industry in Clare coming together to work on the unique initiative.
Teams interested in participating in Clare’s Ultimate Golf Challenge are asked to contact their local golf club in Clare.
Clare Tourism Forum has developed a number of initiatives to boost tourism including the Clare Live the Life brochure which encourages teachers and students to visit locally based attractions including the Cliffs of Moher, Holy Island on Lough Derg, Clare Museum, Bunratty Castle, Scattery Island, the West Clare Railway and the Poulnabrone Dolmen.
The brochure, which is supported by 61 attractions and tourism providers throughout the county, has been distributed to schools in Clare, Limerick, Galway, Tipperary and Kerry.
For more information, log on to www.clare.ie.