International Golfers Welcomed to Ardgalss

International Golfers Welcomed to Ardgalss

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick was delighted to welcome a group of fifteen members of the Heritage Golf and Country Club Melbourne, Australia on their visit to Ardglass Golf Club.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has been working in partnership with Destination Management Company, North and West Coast Links Golf in order to entice international golfers to pay a visit to the region. The golfers from Melbourne have made their first trip to the district as part of this partnership and will be staying in Newcastle while travelling throughout the North of Ireland, playing a number of links courses on the way.

North and West Coast Links are an organisation that promotes courses such as Ardglass in order to attract international visitors to the region. Membership has benefited Ardglass Golf Club greatly as they have more than doubled Green Fee income, partly due to the number of international visitors to the course.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick said, “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is working very closely with North and West Coast Links and recently attended the International Association of Golf Tour Operators North American Convention in Pinehurst to promote golf and tourism in the area.”

Latest figures show that the economic impact of golf tourism has risen to £32.1 million in 2015, with a greater number of visitors than ever flying direct to play golf across Northern Ireland. The estimated spend per visiting golfer is around £218 per day, with an average of £1,230 per trip. USA golf visitor spend in NI increased by 5 percent to £16.4 million in 2015 and when compared to the average visitor spend, this represents a very rewarding market

Councillor Fitzpatrick continued, “Research suggests that for every £1 spent on green fees in our region, a further £4 is spent in the local economy. As a sport, as a business and as a tourism asset, golf operates on a worldwide scale so there has never been a better time to tap into its potential. The importance of golf tourism lies in attracting high spending visitors to Newry, Mourne and Down as we have a strong golf product boasting numerous unique golf courses including Royal County Down which has been voted as the number one golf course in the world.”

Director of Golf at Ardglass Golf Club, Paul Vaughan said, "I am delighted to see Newry, Mourne and Down District Council join forces with North and West Coast Links to help build the profile of the area. This can only benefit the region as a whole resulting in more people coming to visit the destination and see the stunning areas that we have to offer and experience the fantastic golf courses, such as Ardglass, throughout the district."

CEO of North and West Coast Links Golf, John McLoughlin said, “We are delighted to be working with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in showcasing not only the golf and accommodation sectors, but also the stunning destination and other activities that International Visitor’s can pursue during their trip. At the recent International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) North American Convention, we shared a desk and conducted meetings with over forty International Golf Tour Operators. This helps to shine a light on the region and we know new business will result from our attendance.”