After almost 17 weeks of inactivity, the countdown is finally on for the reopening of Ennis Golf Club on Monday. And for Club President Steve Burns, it simply couldn’t come soon enough.

“It’s absolutely fantastic to have that focus again and to be honest, we really can’t wait for April 26th. I meet many members during the week out walking or shopping and the question is always the same ‘when are we getting back”.

More than just a healthy sporting passion, Burns, who marks his 35th year in the club in 2021, also stresses the social significance of Ennis Golf Club to its sizeable membership. “It’s only when it’s gone that you really appreciate the camaraderie and the friendships that you build up over the years. We’ve a very strong senior ladies and gents club on a Thursday and a Friday in Ennis Golf Club and before COVID, every Thursday morning, you could have 30 or 40 men sitting around having a cup of coffee and a chat.

“Oftentimes the golf was secondary to the occasion so I know I’m not alone in missing that interaction and social aspect.”

Allied to a thriving Junior Club that coaches boys and girls from just eight years old, the anticipation is almost palpable all-round ahead of the return to play.

“Talking to our course staff last week, they have been doing a lot of work over a long period and they just can’t wait to see the members back on the course and out on the fairways enjoying themselves once more. We all sat down around September and put together a winter/spring programme of improvements, renovations and repair work that has been undertaken since. The rebuilding of boundary walls, repair of security netting and sanding of the course are just some of the improvements.

“In addition, there has also been a big project of clearing trees that overshadow tee boxes and greens that in the long term will allow them to develop better. Overall, I think it will give members a slightly different perspective on the course when they return.

“Obviously we’ve still a bit of planning to do before that in terms of the protocols set out by Golf Ireland as it won’t be a case of arriving and taking out your club come the end of the month. It’s just the new way of playing I suppose that our members are familiar with it after last year but the main thing is that golf is back.

“So roll on the 26th.”

Related News

project west forestry 1
Over 1,100 acres of forestry in Clare & Galway on the market for more than €5m
jane halloran ryan 1
Emigration of Scariff famine orphan girls to be remembered during Harbour Festival
clare greyhound sanctuary 1
Bills were 'hanging over us like a black cloud' say voluntary operators of Tulla based animal sanctuary
madeira 4
There's a magic about Madeira - the hottest new destination from Shannon Airport

Advertisement

Latest News
graham shine clare ladies 1
'There is an All-Ireland in this group' says Shine of Clare ladies
jane halloran ryan 1
Emigration of Scariff famine orphan girls to be remembered during Harbour Festival
barry cotter notts county 1
Cotter completes season-long loan move to Notts County
pj murrihy 1
Murrihy returns to familiar stage of Armada Hotel for Willie Clancy week
clare greyhound sanctuary 1
Bills were 'hanging over us like a black cloud' say voluntary operators of Tulla based animal sanctuary
Premium
micheál murray 1
Mint performance from the Murrays helps Miltown win O'Gorman Cup for second time
tablet smartphone laptop 1
Man (58) in South-East Clare charged with having 1544 images of child sex abuse
waterford v clare camogie 05-07-25 jennifer daly orla hickey 2
Waterford relievedly Rockett to last four following Clare scare
alan o'callaghan conor ryan tony o'brien pat burke pat hayes 1
'We are the envy of the county' - Hayes says Killaloe MD Cllrs have best working relationship
éire óg vs ballyea 04-07-25 david reidy paddy smyth 1
Éire Óg retain Division 2 League title in derby decider

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement