Arthur Shiels on Ireland’s seaside, heavenly links. Photo by Harrison Shiels
Ireland is a dream destination for golf vacationers. The emerald-green, scenic, seaside courses also lure American golf professionals, who often lead their club members on trips…and dream of staying forever.
“Have you ever been to Adare Manor?” read the text from my friend Patrick Fitzgibbons, an American PGA professional of Irish descent and demeanor. He then sent me a job posting link to the Club Management Association of Europe’s website: “General Manager, Adare Manor Golf Club.” The posting was seeking an “energetic and versatile general manager to lead its development into the future during an exciting and historic period in the club’s history.”
Vivid visions of five-star Adare Manor flooded my mind like Guinness pouring into a pint glass. Adare Manor’s pastoral, parkland golf course designed by high-profile American architects Jones and then Fazio is the venue for the 2027 Ryder Cup! The resort’s 17th-century, stately mansion, on the golf course, rests on a walled, 840-acres estate on the River Maigue in County Limerick. Adare Manor’s luxurious hotel suites are served by a Michelin-starred Oak Room restaurant, and the dreamy nature of Adare Manor makes it a storybook wedding venue.
Patrick Fitzgibbons, having long managed two elite, exclusive golf clubs in the most glamorous, wealthy area of America, and being of Irish descent, had perfect credentials for the job. He knew how to handle high-profile, well-heeled golfers and guests, and how to manage a staff to do the same.
For Fitzgibbons, and selfishly, I hoped Adare Manor would hire him. It would be fun to visit him in Ireland for pints and putts at the world famous, luxury resort, 25-minutes from Shannon Airport and near other legendary links courses Lahinch, Tralee, and Waterville.
A month later, watching Irish golf star Rory McIlroy on television playing in the Scottish Open, reminded me to check in with Patrick to see if he got the exciting job at Adare Manor.
Patrick answered by sharing with me the letter he received from a man at Adare Manor Golf Club called Michael from in response to his application. It was the most “Irish thing” I have ever read:
“Hi Patrick,
Reading your application in depth, I have come to a conclusion: Adare Manor Golf Club is a small, 18-hole course, run, up to now by a cadre of volunteers. It is not the nearby Adare Manor Resort Course, which you might be more suitably qualified to run. I fear that forsaking the location, weather, and salary level you currently enjoy in the USA to relocate to County Limerick to a small, one-man-band organization, offering a salary in the low €60k’s Euros is something I don’t believe you’re suited for. Plus, the dynamics of the local culture would be totally alien to you. For that reason, I won’t be taking your application any further. I hope you don’t mind me commenting like this, but I feel it’s important you realize what you’re trying to get into.”
It turned out “Adare Manor Golf Club,” is a humble “mom and pop course” three kilometers from the famed Adade Manor Golf Resort! It would be the first time the club ever hired a manager, and was also looking for a greenskeeper. Since 1890 it was a nine-hole course on the property of the 4thEarl of Dunraven until Eddie Hackett designed Adare’s current little course, 18-holes at less than 6,000 yards, in 1992. The member club allows guest play, and they can rent golf clubs. Green fees are 120 Euro (475, including caddie, at the resort), and the little club’s Gihan’s Bistro lists chicken wings and fish and chips among the items on its menu.
Michael Patrick, Robert and Arthur Shiels at Royal County Down GC. Photo by Harrison Shiels
Michael’s consolation letter to Joseph, to let him down kindly, ended like this: “If you are keen to move to Ireland, vacancies which are coming up Portmarnock GC, Royal County Down GC, and Royal Portrush. These premium clubs would be much more suited to your outstanding list of qualifications than Adare Manor GC.”
For that kind of authentic Irish hospitality, go where Ireland takes you and visit the charming little places, too.
Closer to home, you can “get your Irish on” at the Annual Michigan Irish Music Festival, and Michigan Irish American Hall of Fame Inductions, will be held at Muskegon’s Heritage Landing September 12-15. Travel to the Emerald Isle via GoIreland.com
Contact Michael Patrick Shiels at MShiels@aol.com His new book: Travel Tattler – Not So Torrid Tales, may be purchased via Amazon.com
