It all started with a conversation about how useful a printed calendar is these days. The reasoning, from my wife, went something like this: “Who uses a calendar when everything you need is on your phone, tablet, or computer?”
Yep, it was a short discussion. For the most part it’s true because technology has rendered a lot of things redundant.
So, are calendars in or out?
There’s no question that your smartphone is the go-to resource these days but just as with books vs e-books, there’s nothing quite like the touch or the experience or the appearance of a calendar on your wall. There’s a tactile beauty to turning the pages and revealing yet another stunning image.
That was my starting point for my first ever golf calendar: create something that shows off the beauty of our golf courses. Create something that makes people look forward to each new month, that is also useful and gives people relevant national and international tournament dates throughout the year. Then leave enough room to write in what’s happening in your world.
Every year, I travel around this country visiting, photographing and writing about our golf courses. I am not short of images that I believe will inspire people to go and play them. In 2023, I visited over 60 courses (excluding 25 in Scotland and England), from Rosapenna to Castlemartyr and from The Island to Claremorris and Carne.
A calendar seemed like a natural progression… and it is something I have been thinking of doing for a few years. After all, it promotes some special Irish golf courses, it promotes Irish golf in general and it promotes my photography business. It also supports Irish business as it was designed and printed in Ireland as I wanted to make this an all-Ireland affair so I see this as an all-round win-win. And a special mention to Seed Golf and the lads at Irish Golfer for their great support.
So here’s the detail: the calendar is 28 pages and A4 in size. There are images of 14 golf clubs, with Mahony’s Point on the front cover. Each month’s image comes with a brief description, and the days of the month provide enough room to scribble a note in. The men’s and women’s majors are shown and, to keep the Irish feel, the big Irish amateur events are also included.
The courses that fill the months are a selection of bucket-list venues (e.g. Druids Glen) and smaller sleeping giants (e.g. Strandhill). Given my ethos on Irish golf courses I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The calendar costs €17 plus P&P and you can purchase it at www.kevinmarkhamphotography.com
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