The Irish Golf Tour Operator Association has revealed the winners of its 2025 Gala Irish Golf Awards at the K Club in County Kildare, marking the 28th year of the event that draws operators, resorts, courses, and providers to recognise contributions to the sector.
The association, which represents firms generating €100m annually for the economy, hosted the conference for networking and planning, with delegates from across Ireland attending sessions on market trends and sustainability.
The awards covered categories from course excellence to individual service, with presentations by members and sponsors including Flywire and Irish Golfer magazine.
The K Club provided the venue, with the next event set for Tralee in 2026 at the Rose Hotel, Ballygarry Estate, and Tralee Golf Club. Organisers thanked BEM Ireland for coordination and all participants for attendance that exceeded 200 people.
- Tralee Golf Club received the Links Golf Course of the Year award for its maintenance of traditional seaside layout and accommodation of group bookings. The club, located in County Kerry, features 18 holes designed by Maurice Keane and hosts events for up to 100 golfers per day.
- The Brehon Hotel took the Sustainability Award for installation of solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems that reduce energy use by 25pc. The property in Killarney, County Kerry, offers 83 rooms and partners with local suppliers for 70pc of produce.
- Mark Nolan earned the Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf Award for 25 years in course management and promotion of tourism packages. Nolan, former director at Adare Manor, now consults on greenkeeping for 12 Irish venues.
- Vaughan Lodge won Boutique Golf Property of the Year for provision of personalised caddie services and on-site pro shop stocking local brands. The lodge in Lahinch, County Clare, has 12 rooms and adjoins a nine-hole course for practice rounds.
- Carne Golf Links claimed the Inland Golf Course of the Year for upgrades to irrigation and drainage that support year-round play. The links in Belmullet, County Mayo, spans 7,200 yards over dunes and accommodates 150 visitors weekly.
- Gerry Maguire secured the Service Excellence Award for coordination of transport and tee times during peak seasons. Maguire, chairman at Carne Golf Links, oversees operations for 50 staff and handles bookings from 20 tour operators.
- The European Club received the Resort Golf Course of the Year for expansion of practice facilities and integration of spa services. The club in Wicklow features 18 holes by Joe Walsh and draws 60,000 rounds annually.
- Kinsale Golf Club took the Parkland Golf Course of the Year for community outreach programmes that include junior clinics. The course in County Cork covers 6,500 yards and offers packages at 80 euro per round including cart.
- Adare Manor won Golf Resort of the Year for renovation of its Michelin-starred restaurant and addition of 40 villas. The manor in County Limerick provides 104 rooms and hosts the Irish Open in 2027.
- Perryville House claimed Boutique Hotel of the Year for sourcing seafood from fleets within 50 kilometres. The house in Ballina, County Tipperary, has 22 rooms and arranges transfers to nearby links courses.
- Doonbeg Golf Club earned Transport Provider of the Year through its fleet of 15 coaches for airport pickups. The club in County Clare manages shuttles for groups up to 50 and charges 10 euro per transfer.
- Laura Brennan received the Tour Guide of the Year award for leading 300 tours with focus on course history. Brennan, based in Dublin, specialises in northwest routes and holds certifications from Fáilte Ireland.
