Sunny side up for climate-friendly Killiney

Killiney GC 3rd green

Brian Keogh

August 19 2021 02:30 AM

Few Irish courses are as idyllic as Killiney, the nine-hole gem founded in 1903 that is the epitome of everything a family club should be.

It’s so popular that due to the heavy demand for membership — 35 applications were received for 2021, of whom 17 (six men and 11 women) were elected full members — the entrance fee was raised to €13,000 for the first time in many years.

The club’s annual report makes pleasant reading for members in every sense.

Despite the pandemic, the club finances are in such good general health that capital expenditure for 2021 will be more than double what was spent in 2020.

The club’s council has agreed on an ambitious capital expenditure plan of €275,0000 this year to include a refurbishment of the clubhouse interior, the re-development of the practice ground and some shade for the patio area. Subject to finances remaining on track, further works to the changing areas and outdoor patio will follow in 2022.

As for the course, which features upgraded bunkering on the fifth (14th) hole, the green light has been given to plans to redevelop the practice ground for €135,000.

This involves almost doubling the size of the putting green, moving the practice nets, and developing a new chipping green and a new practice tee with several target greens.

Three years ago, the club completed a €300,000, three-year upgrade of its irrigation plan, meaning it is now virtually self-sufficient in the likely event of future water shortages.

Indeed, last month, Killiney Golf Club announced it has become GEO Certified for its commitment and efforts to achieve a credible standard for sustainable golf course operation.

The certification confirms that Killiney Golf Club satisfies all GEO certification criteria.

“Killiney Golf Club demonstrates a modern-thinking, pro-active attitude for more responsible and sustainable golf,” the certification report by the GEO accredited Independent Verifier explained. “The club has successfully undertaken several cost-effective sustainability initiatives, including innovative rainwater harvesting, LED lighting, creating habitat for bee pollinators, cardboard baling for better waste management, recycling coffee grounds for fertilisers/topdressing and installing a water dispenser with branded, reusable bottles to reduce plastic waste.

“The club is also embarking on a strategic planning exercise that aims to put the environment ‘centre stage’. Killiney is an excellent example of how a small golf facility can play its part in lessening resource scarcity, environmental pollution and climate change and gain a likely business advantage from so doing.”