Published on February 27th, 2014

PARSAVERS

PAR SAVERS. Bringing fashion back to the game of golf.

Cork’s Douglas Court Shopping centre announced just before Christmas that they had secured yet another new tenant. At a time when entrepreneurship and business tends to be holding back from expansion and investment, two local golf professionals from the county decided to take the plunge and join forces to create an innovative new golf shop.

David Ryan and Padraig Dooley set up Par Savers – a retail outlet that focuses on bringing fashionable clothing items to golfers and non-golfers in Cork and further afield.

The duo, who are well-known in Irish golfing circles as two of the most talented players and coaches in the land, decided in early 2013 that a fashion retail business, bringing high-end golfing apparel at affordable prices to the general public would be the next step in their business lives.

From those initial discussions Par Savers was born. Ryan and Dooley opened their new premises in late 2013 and have seen the idea take hold around the area. Par Savers not only stocks some of the world’s top brands in golfing fashion but it is also employing local staff – which, in these recessionary times is yet another small step in the right direction for Ireland.

They may be golf professionals but that is pretty much where the similarity ends. David Ryan is currently the retained golf professional in Cahir Park and Fermoy Golf Clubs while Dooley is operating one of the most advanced custom fitting businesses in the country from his base in Riverstown, county Cork.

Where Par Savers differentiates itself from the crowd is that the focus is clearly on the fashion side of the game. Yes you can buy some bags, tees and balls, as well as a host of other small items, but there isn’t a golf club anywhere near the shop. Most of the clothing items sold at the store can just as easily be worn off the course.

“We thought long and hard about this undertaking but we really felt that the sports and leisure clothing stores in Ireland don’t really cater for the active and semi-active person that also likes to look good,” Padraig told the Irish Clubhouse.

“Most stores carry a huge range of tracksuits and hoodies and little else when it comes to comfort away from the sport of your choice. At present, golf clothing retailers state that as much as 25% of their sales are to people that have no interest in golf at all. We hope to increase on that number by using brands such as Green Lamb, Calvin Klein, Kartel, Adidas, Ashworth, Greg Norman and Croc Golf Shoes.”

“We felt that women in particular have been under-served as most golf shops carry a very limited stock for ladies. We decided to bring ladies fashion to the fore with a wide range of clothing options on site.” Padraig said.

“The store opened on the 6th of December last and we have been very happy with how things have gone so far. The public seem to be embracing the idea that you can look really good wearing clothes that traditionally may have been associated with golf as long as the product itself looks good.”

There is little doubt that over the years golf clothing has received a really bad rap from those in the fashion industry ( I assume that’s thanks mainly to the activities of John Daly) but with shops like Par Savers providing style and value to all-comers it looks like this attitude may be about to change.

Par Savers is yet another example of golf in Ireland fighting back. For a business like this to succeed it is imperative that style and price are to the fore and on both of those scores Par Savers really does hit the mark.

The men behind the company.

Padraig Dooley, turned professional in 2002 after playing on the Irish National Team. Padraig played on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa for six seasons and played on the Europro Tour (third level tour) in Europe for another six seasons where he had plenty success. Padraig also played in some Challenge Tour events.

Early in his career Padraig was the assistant pro at Cork Golf Club, where he started playing golf back in the early 90′s.

Padraig was able to combine his love of the game with another passion (travel) and played extensively around South Africa, the USA, the UK and Europe over the years where he was able to experience a host of different teaching styles.

Padraig has a love for golf course architecture, particularly MacKenzie and studies how courses evolve over time.

Dooley has amassed a host of qualifications over the years (both in and outside of golf).

He has a degree in Mathematics and Statistics as well as being a TPI certified instructor with certificates in Golf Pro level 2, Junior Coach Level 2 and Level 3. He also has the Advanced Rules qualification from the PGA.

Padraig also runs a very impressive golf performance business in Riverstown Co. Cork (Drive Golf Performance) where he specializes in Golf Fitness, Custom Fitting and Golf Lessons.

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David Ryan is the retained golf professional at both Fermoy and Cahir Park Golf Clubs. The 37 year old took up the game when he was 19 and was good enough to turn professional only four years later at the age of 19.

David began his career in Youghal Golf Club where he spent his first year. He then moved to the Hermitage where he spent another year before moving to the County Cavan Golf Club.

Two years later David became assistant professional at Cork Golf Club where he learned his trade between 1999 and 2006.

David, took the brave decision to go out on his own in late 2006 and has seen his career go from strength to strength since.

As one of Ireland’s leading teaching professionals, it is no surprise that David has competed at the Irish Open on two occasions. He also represented the Irish PGA in the European Team Championship three times and won the professional assistant’s order of merit in 2001.

David has also been a captain of the Munster PGA.

Away from the course, David is married to one of the greatest Irish female golfers of our time (Claire Coughlan). Claire has received plenty of awards and plaudits over the years and was captain of the Irish Ladies golf team for the home internationals back in 2012. The golfing-couple have two small boys.

David is not only one of the top talents in the country but he is also a well-respected teacher.