Ballybunion Golf Club took in a record €8m this year

Club treasurer Sean Healy said: "Green fees income was over €6m, an increase of €1.3m on 2023. 

"The shop revenue continues to excel with a turnover in excess of €2.3m and a gross profit of over €1m. 

"Total income for the club was up 23% to €8m, up €1.5m from 2023. Green fees make up 75% of income"

Visitors from the US accounted for 98% of the green fees income, with Ballybunion's Old Course regarded as a bucket list destination for golfers. 

The club has already taken in another €4m in prepaid green fees for next year and is ploughing back some of the money to improve the golfing experience.

A state-of-the-art driving range has ben opened with video tracker screens located in each bay.

A total reshape is underway of the club's Cashen Course. The design contract was won by Tom Watson, the legendry US player who promoted the Old Course to the wider golfing world after his first visit in 1981.

The club honoured him by naming him club captain for 2000.

The first of four phases of the work on the Cashen Course has been completed and the second phase is under way.

Tom Watson visited the course last week and said he was delighted at the way his design is taking shape.

He told club members during his visit: 

When the work on the Cashen Course is completed it will up there with the best courses in the world. 

Although one of the top courses in the world, annual membership fees are among the lowest in the country.

The outgoing club chairman Frank Fenn reported: "The current annual subscription for an ordinary full member is €475, which is one of the lowest in the country and is 25% below the average annual subscription for clubs in Kerry."

Ballybunion Golf Club is now a major element of Fáilte Ireland's marketing strategy which now is widening its focus on the Asian golfing market.