NEWCASTLE WEST GOLF CLUB - HIRING GENERAL MANAGER
NEWCASTLE WEST GOLF CLUB
Rathgonan, Ardagh, Co. Limerick | Founded 1938
General Manager
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
The Club
Newcastle West Golf Club is seeking an outstanding General Manager to lead the Club through the next stage of its development.
Founded in 1938 by eight local businessmen and relocated to its present home at Rathgonan, Ardagh, the Club is widely regarded as one of the finest parkland courses in Munster. The course is mature, well-presented and famously fast draining, giving members and visitors genuine year-round golf in a part of the country where that counts for a great deal.
The Club has approximately 1,000 members, a busy competition calendar, a strong visitor and society trade and a clubhouse that is at the centre of golfing life in West Limerick. It is a member-owned club with an engaged volunteer base and a Management Committee that is ambitious for what comes next.
The Role
The General Manager will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day management and commercial performance of the Club, working closely with the course and clubhouse teams and reporting to the Management Committee through the Honorary Secretary.
Key responsibilities will include:
• providing visible, positive and effective leadership across the Club
• leading, supporting and developing the staff team across the office, course and clubhouse
• delivering an excellent experience for members, guests, visitors and societies
• maintaining clear and open communication with members, staff and the Management Committee
• growing membership across all categories and developing initiatives that strengthen member recruitment, engagement and retention
• developing green fee, society and corporate income and building relationships with the local hospitality and tourism trade
• leading the development and implementation of the Club's marketing strategy, identifying new opportunities to promote Newcastle West Golf Club to members, visitors, societies, corporate clients and the wider golfing market
• growing the Club's online and digital presence through its website, social media channels, email marketing and other relevant platforms, ensuring the Club communicates consistently and effectively with both existing and prospective customers
• developing new marketing campaigns and promotional initiatives that increase awareness of the Club, support membership growth and drive visitor, society, corporate and event business
• ensuring sound financial management, budgeting, reporting and operational control in conjunction with the Honorary Treasurer and Finance Committee
• working closely with the Course Superintendent to support delivery of the Club's course development and presentation plans
• overseeing the bar and catering operation and the wider use of the clubhouse
• overseeing procurement, contractor relationships and service delivery across the Club
• supporting the Committee on strategic planning, capital development and grant funding opportunities
• maintaining compliance with governance, health and safety, employment, licensing, safeguarding and data protection requirements
• protecting the welcoming character that members and visitors consistently associate with Newcastle West
The Opportunity
The next two years will be one of the most significant periods in the history of golf in this part of Ireland. The Ryder Cup comes to Adare Manor in September 2027, less than twenty minutes from the Club, and the build-up will bring an unprecedented level of attention, investment and visitor traffic into Limerick and the wider region.
Clubs within reach of Adare will see the benefit of that, but only if they are ready for it. The incoming General Manager has the opportunity to position Newcastle West Golf Club to make the most of this once-in-a-generation window through visitor and society business, corporate golf, tour operator relationships, targeted marketing and the increased profile that comes with being a quality parkland course on the doorstep of the world's biggest team golf event.
There is also a significant opportunity to strengthen how the Club presents and markets itself. The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop the Club's digital profile, introduce new marketing initiatives and ensure Newcastle West Golf Club is reaching potential members, visitors and commercial partners both locally and further afield.
Beyond 2027, this is a role for someone who wants to make a lasting contribution. The successful candidate will have the support to lead a committed team, bring forward new ideas and help shape the next chapter of a club that has served its community for close to ninety years.
The Person
We are looking for an accomplished leader with excellent people-management and communication skills. The successful candidate is likely to demonstrate:
• strong leadership and the ability to motivate and develop people
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• sound judgement and the confidence to make decisions
• commercial awareness and financial literacy
• a proactive, organised and hands-on management style
• the ability to delegate effectively while retaining accountability
• a strong member and customer service ethos
• an understanding of marketing, digital communications and the importance of building a strong and consistent Club profile
• the ability to identify and develop new commercial, promotional and marketing opportunities
• an understanding of the culture of member-owned clubs and the role volunteers play within them
• the ability to work constructively with a committee while taking responsibility for the running of the Club
• a track record of improving organisations, teams or customer experience
Previous golf club management experience would be an advantage, but we are equally interested in exceptional candidates from hospitality, leisure, tourism, private members' clubs or other high-quality customer-focused businesses. Leadership, communication, people management and commercial capability matter more to us than golf pedigree alone.
Experience of the following would also be useful: golf club management and tee booking software such as BRS Golf, Golf Ireland systems and handicap administration, an accounting package such as Xero or Sage, website management, social media management, digital marketing and content creation.
Why Newcastle West Golf Club?
This is an opportunity to join a well-established club with real strengths already in place. The successful candidate will inherit:
• a mature and highly regarded parkland course with excellent drainage and year-round playability
• a loyal membership and a sociable, welcoming clubhouse
• an experienced greenkeeping team and course maintenance programme
• a committed Management Committee and volunteer base with ambitions for the Club
• a location that is about to benefit from the Ryder Cup coming to Limerick
For candidates considering relocation, West Limerick offers an excellent quality of life at a fraction of the cost of the larger cities. The Club sits between Limerick City and North Kerry, within easy reach of Adare, Foynes and the Shannon Estuary, while Newcastle West itself is a busy market town with good schools and services.
It is a chance to combine a senior management role with a genuinely good place to live.
Remuneration
An attractive remuneration package, commensurate with experience, is available. The role also includes a range of benefits, including pension contributions, playing rights and support for ongoing professional development.
Application Process
Candidates should submit an up-to-date CV and a covering letter outlining their motivation for applying and relevant experience. Both documents should be combined into a single PDF and emailed to Mark Ruddy of Grow Sport.
Apply to Mark Ruddy, Grow Sport — office@growsport.ie
Subject line General Manager Application – Newcastle West Golf Club
Format CV and covering letter combined into a single PDF
Closing date Friday, 18 September 2026 -5pm
Interviews Expected to take place shortly after the closing date
Club website www.newcastlewestgolf.com
Candidates wishing to discuss the opportunity before applying are welcome to contact
Mark Ruddy in confidence. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Recruitment managed on behalf of Newcastle West Golf Club by Grow Sport
