Steve Pope EIGCA presentation April 2002 The impact of the European Regional Development Fund on golf

EIGCA presentation – Steve Pope Importance of ERDF to GC architects ERDF big impact on golf in certain EU Member States –Ireland €20 million in golf grants, 30% of all new build 1989/99 –Portugal grants up to €3.7 million ERDF impact on UK golf - varied Possible future role, eg in Med & Eastern Europe

EIGCA presentation – Steve Pope What is the ERDF? 2nd largest EU financial mechanism (€13 billion p.a.) Grant aid to certain regions only: poorest (objective 1) industrial & rural decline (objective 2) Removing regional imbalance in the single market Investment in infrastructure, SMEs, tourism, etc to create jobs

EIGCA presentation – Steve Pope Case study 1 - Ireland International standard new parkland GCs (K Club) New championship GCs in remote areas (Doonbeg) CHs & visitor facilities (Co. Sligo) Golf tourism marketing Integrated use of ERDF & ESF – Gort GC Remodelling GCs – very few cases

EIGCA presentation – Steve Pope Case study 2 - Doonbeg Biggest single Irish grant - €3.3 million Proactive search for ERDF golf projects by Shannon Development Environmentally-sensitive area chosen US investor – Kiawah Only Greg Norman design in EU Delay in approval of grant

EIGCA presentation – Steve Pope Continental Europe Portugal ERDF golf projects Golf grants up to €3.7 million Greece & Italy Considering ERDF now for golf Eastern Europe Developing golf tourism Future members of EU will have access to ERDF

EIGCA presentation – Steve Pope The EU candidate countries Estonia Latvia Lithuania Poland Czech Republic Slovak Republic Hungary Slovenia Romania Bulgaria Malta Cyprus ? Turkey

EIGCA presentation – Steve Pope Northern Ireland Equivalent actions to the Republic England Only one case of English ERDF golf grant Wales New objective 1 & new golf tourism strategy

EIGCA presentation – Steve Pope Scotland Marketing Golf Highland campaign Golf hotel Carnoustie Only one eg of ERDF for Scottish GC build

EIGCA presentation – Steve Pope Case study 3 – Dora GC Standard municipal GC Not a golf tourist resort ERDF golf for land reclamation Weak in terms of direct job creation Strong indirect impact – changing the image of ugly derelict sites

EIGCA presentation – Steve Pope ERDF big impact on golf in certain EU Member States Good practice: Golf tourism strategy Golf tourist clusters Proactive search for sites Reclamation of derelict land GC architects should be aware of ERDF / golf possibilities Conclusions