Virginia GC undertaking improvements ahead of return

Golf news

Golf clubs across the country are hoping to be able to open their gates again within the next couple of weeks, depending on government announcements, with many having taken the opportunity to upgrade their courses during the lockdown.

Virginia Golf Club is one of those. The club has taken on a couple of projects in recent months, notably drainage works and remedial works on trees.

“About 18 months ago we enlisted a tree surgeon who did a comprehensive survey of all the trees on the golf course as part of a health and safety exercise. He then submitted a plan to us detailing extensive works that were needed and we hired a contractor around Christmas time who did the work,” explained club PRO Peadar Gill.

“There was a lot of pruning and he also removed a number of identified dangers. There were a few branches with cracks in them and some of them were too heavy, they had grown too long.”

Dr Philip Blackstock identified 37 trees which were in need of remedial work and the club worked in conjunction with Richard Corrigan, the owner of the estate, to get the job complete.

“He surveyed every tree on the course and identified the major to minor works. The minor stuff was very minor and then two of the trees had to be removed completely.

“How will it affect play? It will remove a few excuses! The big tree in the middle of the eighth fairway got a good haircut. The tree at the first green got a good trimming as well.”

Ironically, the course itself will actually benefit from being closed in recent months.

“We have done some drainage works. On the second fairway there is a drain which had been filled up by the roots of a tree and then we did some repair to a drain at the wettest spot on the golf course, which is at the sixth tee.

“The hollow-coring will work well with the lower traffic and the course will be healthier than otherwise might have been the case.”

For now, it’s a case of ‘wait and see’ but the club are optimistic that golf will be given the green light to resume again in some form.

“We’re hoping that from April 5, we will be able to return to play. In Northern Ireland, they have issued guidelines that they will allow clubs to resume, members only, tee-times, up to four people from a maximum of two households and they will be allowed to play club competitions so we are hoping for something similar at a minimum.

“Golf proved itself to be 100pc safe last year. I don’t think there was a single reported case in the country of somebody contracting Covid on a golf course.

“For now, we are just waiting to see how the membership renewals come in. Last year there was a big uptake but last year we were closed from March to May whereas now we have been closed since the end of December.

“We are hoping that the people who joined last year will stay with us and we’re hoping that the old members will rejoin. I think people discovered the benefits and the joys of golf last year.”

Virginia, in common with clubs nationwide, reported an increase in membership in the region of 20pc last year. The club, which has approximately 265 members, also received some grant funding of late.

“We received €25,000 from Golf Ireland which was much appreciated and it will be spent on further works. Golf Ireland are very strict on how that money is spent.

“We are one of the largest ladies clubs in the region, we have 100 ladies members.

“Virginia is especially suitable for beginners and seniors because it is relatively short. While it has its golfing challenges, it doesn’t have the length of some championship courses which can be daunting.

“We are open for new members and players of all ages and abilities are welcome,” he said.

Other clubs in Cavan also benefitted from Golf Ireland’s Covid-19 funding; Blacklion GC were awarded €21075, Belturbet GC received €13,900 and Co Cavan picked up €15,000.