Let Me Quote You On That - North West Golf Club

How does a ‘hidden gem’ golf course ease its way into the big time? And can it be achieved without spending big bucks?

Here’s a link to a recent article I wrote on Hidden Gems for Irish Golfer. One of the courses I didn’t include (the article explains why) is North West Golf Club, in Donegal. It is a favourite of mine and the club has recently been making strides in getting itself noticed… and booked. It is actively promoting itself and talking to people in the know. It is inviting these people to come and play. They come. They play. And they discover a mischievous low links of natural shape and – for me – the sweetest of rhythms.

Here is an example, sent to me by Sean Meenan the club’s dedicated Sales & Marketing guy. Dana Fry visited a few weeks ago and this is what he had to say:

"The North West Golf Club is located near the seaside town of Buncrana and framed by the Mouldy Mountains on one side and the dramatic shoreline of Lough Swilly on the other. It is a stunning links course with its humps and hollows, fantastic fescue greens and a great set of Par 3’s.  For years it has been under the radar of many golfers traveling from abroad but the golf world is starting to take notice. All serious golfers planning future golf trips to the North West of Ireland should stop by and experience this wonderful course made even better by the very welcoming staff and membership."

I appreciate that not everyone knows who Dana Fry is, or why he is in Ireland. He is one half of Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design, and he is in Ireland designing Curracloe Links, Ireland’s first brand new golf course in over 15 years.

These sort of things make such a difference and those clubs labelled as hidden gems need to get ‘names’ to visit, play and give feedback which the club can use. It doesn’t have to be of Dana Fry-proportions: it can an Irish PGA golf pro, top amateur, golf writer, or a local celebrity. And then use their quotes on social media and your other marketing materials. Who doesn't love a good testimonial. It makes people pay attention. 

Which, sadly, is why the world is so full of mindless ‘influencers’. 

Check out the North West Golf Club website here. They have new photographs and video to oggle at.