Shades of R.U.R, Karel Čapek’s 1920s play – Rossum’s Universal Robots! However, given the advances with technology and AI, it seems a predictable enough development, and another step in a logical progression. Let’s hope they don’t ‘take-over’ (as happens in Čapek’s storyline!), and on a less ‘dark’, and more fun note – I wonder if, before they disappear into dense rough to look for their players’ golf balls, they will have been programmed to turn and say – I’ll be back!

Few would argue that Ireland from a courses’ perspective, and as a destination, has been a golfing powerhouse for some years. While the quality of golf in Ireland is well established, having a resurgent (at least in terms of the Majors) Rory McIlroy continually in the news has been very positive for golf Ireland’s brand. These types of column inches will help to keep venues such as the Cork Golf Club front and centre in the minds of travellers.

The R&A unveils a new five-year global strategy to grow the game. The new strategy aims to have more people playing and engaging with golf more frequently worldwide. It is good to see that some of the old ‘shackles’ seem to be coming with terms like ‘engaging with the game’ becoming more widely used, and we shall drill down into the numbers in the From the Fringes 2 in the next issue of BG Magazine.

What resonated particularly with me in this piece was not the pending course closure itself (which I hope can be averted), but rather the motivations as to why it should be kept open. The reasons shared are an eloquent summary of the benefits that can come from a properly structured and managed golf club, where though its activities and offering, it manages to reach a broader audience than just its golfers. Let’s hope they find a way forward!

On the Estate Living platform, there are regular references about, and excellent articles on, retirement living.