There is so much gloom and doom being talked of concerning the state of Irish golf tourism, it is distinctly refreshing to learn that 53% of those who came to see last year's Ryder Cup match took time to play golf and, despite the gales and rain which washed them about the fairways that week, 93% said that they enjoyed it so much they will return.

It is also good to know that while Spain and Portugal hoover up most of the business from the 41% of Swedish golfers who take short-haul golfing holidays, Ireland does twice as well as nearest rivals Scotland and England by attracting 2% of those Norsemen . . . despite anecdotal accounts to the contrary.

This, and much more, was the topic for discussion at a forum conducted by Failte Ireland to present 'A new strategy for Irish golf', prepared by Roddy Carr and his colleagues at IMG to map the way forward for Irish golf tourism as the Ryder Cup euphoria wanes.

The key resolution made at this latest think-tank was that an Irish golf forum should be established and an Irish golf charter developed. It remains to be seen how it all unfolds but one thing that is certain is that there are a lot of worried golf course owners and hoteliers about expressing concern at a drop in their business volumes.

Some of the statistics churned out at the meeting will not have given them much cause for rejoicing. For example, visitor satisfaction with the quality of the Irish golf holiday has dropped from an excellent 88% in 2001 to 81% last year; and the numbers of those "very satisfied" with the price value of an Irish golf holiday has dropped from 60% in 2001 to 38% last year. That last drop would be very worrying until one considers the question carefully and remembers how many people would be "very satisfied" with the price of virtually anything.

The price-conscious British market remains the biggest source of visiting golfers, accounting for 43% of those coming here specifically for golf.

The 'let-me-stay-on-the-linksonly' Americans aren't at 34% and less vociferous on pricing matters but the continuing decline of the US dollar will not be helping things at all.

The internet was much discussed and caused concern to the specialist tour operators present as 77% of golfers currently make their own travel arrangements. This is likely to grow further if on-line booking becomes the norm.

It is all thought-provoking stuff and anyone interested in delving further into such matters should contact Failte Ireland for a copy of their colour booklet Golf & Tourism . . .

Converting Awareness Into Sustainable Growth.

CLUBS CONTINUE TO RAISE BIG MONEY It is quite impossible to be scienti"c in assessing the charitable contributions of Ireland's 430something golf clubs but an educated estimate places it in the region of 20million per annum.

There is hardly a day in the golf season when there is not a plethora of charity days across the country, with the clubs' efforts being augmented by those of societies and specially organised events established to ensnare the rambling corporate euro.

The latest contribution of 20,000 has been made to Cancer Support by the Ballylif"n Golf Club, the Dornoch of Ireland up there on the lovely Inishowen Penninsula. It came thanks to a classic conducted last weekend and won with a superb tally of 103 points by the team of John Hirrell (20), Dermot O'Kane (11), Sean Doherty (2) and Kevin Hirrell (15).

NEW APPOINTMENTS FOR WOODENBRIDGE Cork golfing legend Kevin Mulcahy has been appointed general manager of Woodenbridge Golf Club in succession to Eddie Lonergan.

Mulcahy is son of the late John A Mulcahy, who founded the modern Waterville, and he previously spent 10 years managing Fota Island Golf Club and then St Margaret's.

It is almost all change at Woodenbridge as they have a new head greenkeeper too, with Trevor Dargan taking over the reins from Peter Byrne.