CPD-accredited programme
Beyond Par, The Irish Welcome
Hospitality Excellence Training Programme — preparing Irish hospitality teams to deliver world-class service for the Irish Open, Walker Cup, and Ryder Cup 2027.
A once-in-a-generation opportunity
The Irish Open at Doonbeg, the Walker Cup at Lahinch, and the Ryder Cup 2027 at Adare Manor present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase Ireland’s world-class hospitality on a global stage.
To ensure consistent excellence across every guest touchpoint, we propose the Beyond Par, Hospitality Excellence Training Programme. This programme will unify service standards across golf clubs, hotels, bars, restaurants, tourist attractions, transport providers, and event staff — including volunteer staff — while celebrating Ireland’s renowned spirit of welcome, Céad Míle Fáilte.
5-star
Service standard
8 days over 6 months
Format
CPD
Certification
Beyond Par
Badge
Objectives
What the programme sets out to achieve
Exceptional guest experiences
Deliver outstanding service for international visitors, dignitaries, and teams.
Elite service skills
Equip staff and volunteers with skills tailored to a global sporting event.
Irish culture & pride
Promote Irish culture, pride, and sustainability through authentic hospitality.
A lasting skills legacy
Leave a lasting training legacy in the Mid-West region and across Ireland.
Programme structure
Five pillars of excellence
1. Foundations of Excellence
- Principles of 5-star service and professionalism
- Storytelling & Irish cultural pride
- Guest care and discretion
2. Irish Golf Service Standards
- Understanding the Irish Open, Walker Cup & Ryder Cup journey for fans, VIPs, and media
- Event etiquette: hosting dignitaries, celebrities, and corporate sponsors
- Rapid service delivery in high-pressure settings
3. Specialist Modules
- Food & Beverage mastery (luxury and casual)
- Intercultural awareness & multilingual service
- Conflict resolution and guest recovery
4. Sustainability & Local Pride
- Greening mega-events: waste, energy, and resource efficiency
- Showcasing local food, craft, and culture
- Training staff as tourism ambassadors
5. Experiential Training
- Role-play and scenario-based workshops
- On-site rehearsals at venues
- Real-time feedback and coaching
Accreditation & Badge
- Course accredited by CPD with Hospitality Skills Ireland
- Delivered in conjunction with Restaurant & Hospitality Skillnet
- All staff receive the Beyond Par 5-star service excellence badge on completion
Delivery plan
How the programme is delivered
Timeline
Begin rollout in 2026 to allow phased training across hospitality partners, building momentum towards each major event.
Formats
Blended approach combining in-person workshops, e-learning modules, and on-site rehearsals for confident, consistent delivery.
Partners
Delivered in partnership with Restaurant & Hospitality Skillnet, connecting venues, staff, and volunteers across the region.
8-day course proposal
Day-by-day training outline
The programme is delivered across 8 days over 6 months, combining core hospitality skills with specialist modules for major sporting events.
Orientation
- Welcome: history and prestige of the golfing sector, and the significance of hosting in Ireland
- Core values: Excellence, Teamwork, and Irish Hospitality
- Roles & expectations across front-of-house, F&B, transport, guest relations, and volunteer teams
- Professional standards: punctuality, appearance, and etiquette
- Team-building activities, icebreakers, and collaboration exercises
Customer Service Excellence
- Principles of world-class hospitality: first impressions, body language, and anticipating guest needs
- Personalised service for VIPs, players, sponsors, and general guests
- Problem-solving and complaint handling with empathy and service recovery strategies
- Practical role-play sessions: greeting guests and resolving real-world hospitality scenarios
Golf Terminology & Communication
- Showcasing Irish hospitality through storytelling and cultural touches
- Do’s and don’ts when engaging with international guests
- Managing language barriers and communicating with clarity
- Key golf terminology for guests, media, and event teams
Conflict Management
- Recognising early signs of conflict: non-verbal cues, verbal cues, and operational signs
- De-escalation techniques for tense situations
- Managing complaints, missed deadlines, and reduced cooperation under pressure
- Scenario-based practice for high-stakes guest interactions
Food & Beverage Excellence
- Service standards: silver service, tray service, and buffet management
- Wine and beverage etiquette, including Irish drinks and whiskey knowledge
- Menu familiarisation: dishes, allergens, and dietary requirements
- Upselling premium experiences and hands-on mock service with feedback
Health, Safety & Emergency Preparedness
- Health & safety regulations, food safety, and hygiene standards
- Crowd management and guest safety in event settings
- Emergency response and evacuation procedures
- Security awareness: identifying suspicious behaviour and working with security teams
Manual Handling
- Safe lifting, carrying, and movement techniques for event and hospitality environments
- Ergonomic practices to reduce injury risk during busy shifts
- Compliance with Irish Health and Safety Authority guidance
TBC — Specialist or Event-Specific Module
- Reserved for a specialist or event-specific module tailored to partner requirements closer to the event date.
Ready to take your service beyond par?
Enquire about the Beyond Par, Hospitality Excellence Training Programme for your venue, team, or volunteer group. Part funding is available on request.
Or call us on +353 87 6752248