East Clare Golf Club is a community membership driven club where volunteerism plays a huge role in the club’s success.
The club is now member owned, after reaching a settlement with their lenders in 2021. This move, which was made possible by the support and commitment of the members, has been greatly welcomed by all in the club.
Teams represent the club in various men’s and ladies GI competitions, while the club also has an active seniors section for both ladies and men along with attractive rates for young members.
The club is actively seeking new members for 2022. It has a number of membership categories available including the Get into golf programme, which will be running again in 2022 for both men and ladies having proved very successful over the last few years and the get back into golf programme.
The influx of new members allied to the volunteerism ethic that is prominent in the club point to a bright future for East Clare Golf Club.
Recently the club was sanctioned for a sports capital grant and these funds will be used for essential drainage work and the upgrading of machinery.
At the recent annual general meeting of the club, T.J. McNamara was elected as president with Kieran Kennedy and Maureen Clune appointed as the men’s and lady captains for 2022 with Willie Hayes and Rachel Whelan as their respective vice captains.
Breda McCarthy is the club chairperson with Helen Downey as secretary and Ben Rittweger filling the role of treasurer.
David Hickey was appointed as the club’s new head greenkeeper in September 2021. He brings with him a wealth of experience to the position having worked at top golf courses all over the world, most recently in Sweden. He also provided additional support at the Open, the Ryder cup and the Players tournaments. David is accompanied daily by greenkeeping staff Tim Walsh and Cathal Shanahan.
The cuckoo comes out in East Clare at the end of April and one of the nostalgic attractions for golfers at the club is that they can hear the cuckoo sing as they play their round of golf.
Designed by the late Dr. Arthur Spring from Tralee, the course is just a stone’s throw from Lough Derg and the club has upwards on 500 members.
The facility was first developed as a 9 hole course but enough land had been purchased for 18 holes and the development of the second nine came quickly after its initial opening.
East Clare hosted the 1998 West of Ireland seniors championship when both touring professionals and PGA officials alike had high praise for the facility.
When you play East Clare, you experience an inescapable feeling of closeness to nature, peacefulness and tranquillity. A round of golf in East Clare provides a pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. Visitors and friends alike are always welcome and you can be rest assured, a céad míle fáilte will await them.
