Irish Open Moves to Baltray, Co. Louth

slumped

"The Irish Open, one of the most enduring and prestigious championships on The European Tour International Schedule, will return to the classic links of County Louth Golf Club, Baltray, from May 14-17 this year.

The official announcement of 3 as the major new title sponsor for The Irish Open is expected to be made before the end of the month."

Announced by European Tour this morning.

Not my first choice at all....

HuntingDrog

i'm delighted

am a member there - so can't wait.

added in the fact that there should be better players there this year than last held there, due to prize money. Great stuff

Mister Sifter

Walked it last year for the east of ireland and i was really impressed by it. I'm glad it's gone to a links course as hopefully that will lead to a better field. It should also be well attended as it's handy for both north and south to get to.

1916

I thought it was back to Mount Juliet??

kingshankly

great to see it in baltray and being played on links it might attract a good field preparing for the british open and i live a few miles up the road so happy days:)

slumped

would have liked European Club or Royal Dublin get it - Baltray is a pain in the ass to get in and out of.

Doesn't say how many years they have it for - must be just one.

Mister Sifter

slumped wrote: »

would have liked European Club or Royal Dublin get it - Baltray is a pain in the ass to get in and out of.

Doesn't say how many years they have it for - must be just one.

Yeah, i think it's just one year. Royal Dublin wouldn't be an easy place to get in and out of either. The course is worthy of it, but don't think it has the facilities to hold a big tournament.

slumped

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Yeah, i think it's just one year. Royal Dublin wouldn't be an easy place to get in and out of either. The course is worthy of it, but don't think it has the facilities to hold a big tournament.

Royal Dublin has two entrances (main one and a services entrance off the bull island entrance) and excellent public transport links.

Baltray is in a cul de sac!

HuntingDrog

have to agree with you there slumped and kingshankly-Baltray is not the best golf venue for spectators. poor roads in and around the area. getting around the course for spectators outside the ropes is quite hard too.

However, it is a great trek within the ropes. elevated tee boxes are the norm (10-20m high), super greens and its a real true links. the pro's loved the course the last time.

Squiggle

1916 wrote: »

I thought it was back to Mount Juliet??

AFAIK Mt Juliet declined as they said their greens wouldn't be up to scratch by May.

Squiggle

slumped wrote: »

would have liked European Club or Royal Dublin get it - Baltray is a pain in the ass to get in and out of.

Doesn't say how many years they have it for - must be just one.

HuntingDrog wrote: »

have to agree with you there slumped and kingshankly-Baltray is not the best golf venue for spectators. poor roads in and around the area. getting around the course for spectators outside the ropes is quite hard too.

Hardly much worse than Ballybunion where it was held several years ago. Is there a good train service serving Baltray? Several of the British open courses in Scotland, which I have played, have very poor roads leading to them but have good train services to compensate.

ollieryanisold

Nothing to do with Mount Juliet greens whatsoever...simply to do with the fact that they had several key functions/weddings etc which they were contracted to and those involved would not accept alternative dates...can you imagine being asked to cancel/move your wedding function months before the off!!! Ahh don't think so...that's why it was easy to move the event to a golf course which does not have any "out-side" business other than golf...meaning no hotel with other bookings...Baltray is no challenge for these guys and is a very boring course...if the weather is crap then it will portray Ireland very badly...if the weather is good then the course will be eaten alive...a lose lose situation I say.
Why the hell didn't they leave in Limerick!? afterall all those unemployed Dell workers would have nothing else to do than go watch the golf!! waaaa

HuntingDrog

Squiggle wrote: »

Is there a good train service serving Baltray?

Drogheda train station is only 5km away. But not sure whether a shuttle bus to and from train station was laid on last time in 2004.


Paddy and Paul are delighted anyway........http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/golf/2009/0108/1231405977864.html

kingshankly

the train unfortunatly doesnt pass near baltray drogheda would be the nearest station where its either shuttle busses or taxis either way you have to drive through drogheda:mad:

HuntingDrog

ollieryanisold wrote: »

Baltray is no challenge for these guys and is a very boring course

are u serious? ............C'mon. Be fair - The course got rave reviews from the players back in 2004

ShriekingSheet

ollieryanisold wrote: »

Baltray is no challenge for these guys and is a very boring course

Can't agree with this.

Sure look at the Old Course, it's a complete stroll in the park compared to most modern courses. Baltray is more of a challenge than it (IMO having played them both). But the PGA are well able to set these courses up in such a way they very few players will anihilate the place, at least not for three or four days.

No matter where they put it, someone would be complaining. HntingDrog, I think it's safe to say the majority of golfers appreciate Baltray as a course and it's place in Irish golfing history. Especially those who play, have played or go to watch events like the East of Ireland. I'd be proud to be a member.

Who was up in St Andrew's recently, was it Licksy? Maybe he'll have a view on the above Baltray/Old Course difficulty level opinion.

ollieryanisold

I am serious...I have played in the east of ireland several times over the years as a scratch player and can tell you that it's a boring and over rated golf course...In fairness, name an Irish Open venue that did not get rave reviews by the players!??? "the players" are always raving about the venues...unless it is a total dog-track of a course...Baltray is a fine course for sure but is simply not challenging enough for todays players...courses like Lahinch, Royal Dub etc...which have been revamped in recent years are truly testing tracks regardless of the weather...In a calm day Baltray is obsolete...that 2nd hole (Par 5) can be reached with a drive and a wedge by amateurs for godsake!:p

Squiggle

ollieryanisold wrote: »

Nothing to do with Mount Juliet greens whatsoever.

Not true. See here. Note in particular what Mt Juliet's greens superintendent had to say when consulted :

"O'Hara, acknowledged as the country's best at what he does, said of that approach: "It could be done but because of the early date, I'm afraid we wouldn't have been able to achieve the condition for the American Express event or for the Irish Open, when it was held in mid-summer. We can get frost down here well up to the third week in April and it's only then that growth starts to kick in. So the greens wouldn't be up to previous standards and the rough would be thin."

Typically proud of his craft, he concluded: "There's no doubt we could present the course better than most European Tour venues, but it wouldn't be the Mount Juliet standard. And that would hurt a bit."

ShriekingSheet

ollieryanisold wrote: »

I am serious...I have played in the east of ireland several times over the years as a scratch player and can tell you that it's a boring and over rated golf course...In fairness, name an Irish Open venue that did not get rave reviews by the players!??? "the players" are always raving about the venues...unless it is a total dog-track of a course...Baltray is a fine course for sure but is simply not challenging enough for todays players...courses like Lahinch, Royal Dub etc...which have been revamped in recent years are truly testing tracks regardless of the weather...In a calm day Baltray is obsolete...that 2nd hole (Par 5) can be reached with a drive and a wedge by amateurs for godsake!:p

Yeah good man. A European tour event in Lahinch. It can barely accomodate the footfall for the South of Ireland! That's why the PGA determine the venue for the tournament and not a scratch player, even if he can hit a drive and a wedge to a par 5.

ollieryanisold

I know for fact that the condition of the course, or the potential condition of the course in May'09, had nothing whatsoever to the decision to turn down the offer of staging the tournament. It is true that the greens "may" not have ready in time but this was not the reason why Conrad Hotel group had to turn it down...it's business simple as that.
But if you want to say that's "not true" then knock yourself out!:)

HuntingDrog

ollieryanisold wrote: »

I am serious...I have played in the east of ireland several times over the years as a scratch player and can tell you that it's a boring and over rated golf course...In fairness, name an Irish Open venue that did not get rave reviews by the players!??? "the players" are always raving about the venues...unless it is a total dog-track of a course...Baltray is a fine course for sure but is simply not challenging enough for todays players...courses like Lahinch, Royal Dub etc...which have been revamped in recent years are truly testing tracks regardless of the weather...In a calm day Baltray is obsolete...that 2nd hole (Par 5) can be reached with a drive and a wedge by amateurs for godsake!:p

http://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2008/5/19/golf-digest-irelands-top-100-courses.html

ollieryanisold

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

Yeah good man. A European tour event in Lahinch. It can barely accomodate the footfall for the South of Ireland! That's why the PGA determine the venue for the tournament and not a scratch player, even if he can hit a drive and a wedge to a par 5.

Where did I suggest hosting a european tour event at Lahinch!!!??????????? You muppet. I am a member at Lahinch but merely stated that the course was a real test of golf when compared to Baltray...it belongs in the history books and that's the end of it

ollieryanisold

HuntingDrog wrote: »

http://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2008/5/19/golf-digest-irelands-top-100-courses.html

Haaaa Haaa very clever, Not;

Did you note the panel who decided this!?!?!?
Michael McCummiskey (Gen Sec PGA Irish Region); Mark Gannon (Royal and Ancient selector); John Quigley (Immediate Past President of the Irish Association of Golf Club Secretaries).

The 1st is a Louth man!!! the 2nd is a famous member of Baltray!!!! and the 3rd was or is the Secretary Manager at Baltray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obviously they were not biased!!!!!

ollieryanisold

ollieryanisold wrote: »

Where did I suggest hosting a european tour event at Lahinch!!!??????????? You muppet. I am a member at Lahinch but merely stated that the course was a real test of golf when compared to Baltray...it belongs in the history books and that's the end of it

And another thing...the PGA do not decide where the Irish Open is held...they have little or no involvement...it's the european tour (not pga) and the sponsors and host venues who are willing to "pay-up" to host it...the reason why it went to Baltray 04 was that Nissan (then sponsors) were members of the club and no other club would fork out the €585k upfront payment...mainly due to the fact that there was 4 other pro-event on in Ireland that year and the Ryder Cup was overshadowing everything...only when Carton came on the scene/opened was there anyone willing to pay-up! But hey...what do I know I only worked in the golf industry for 15 years in Golf Digest Ireland, Irish Examiner, AdareManor, Bord Failte...yeah...I'm not really sure I know anything about golf to be honest:o

ShriekingSheet

ollieryanisold wrote: »

Where did I suggest hosting a european tour event at Lahinch!!!???????????

ollieryanisold wrote: »

courses like Lahinch, Royal Dub etc...

ollieryanisold wrote: »

You muppet. I am a member at Lahinch but merely stated that the course was a real test of golf when compared to Baltray...it belongs in the history books and that's the end of it

Like the Old Course? I said it to you earlier. The Old Course (purely as a golf course) is a flat, open course that plays extremely short. People have hit irons onto the first par 4. Do you have the same objection to the Open being there?

A number of factors (economic, weather, uncertainty of sponsorship pre-3 deal) have meant that this years Irish open has to be thrown together in a fairly hap-hazard way. Arm-chair opinions that "ideally it should be at X venue where the players can be presented with a bigger challenge" are completely irelevent given the circumstances. It has to be somewhere and frankly, we're lucky to have an Irish Open!

ollieryanisold

I'm no arm chair golfer nor did I propose staging the event anywhere.
If you'd bother to read my threads and not twist what I said you would note that I passed my highly qualified albeit personal opinion that Baltray is no test for today's pro's. I used the comparison of Lahinch & Royal Dub as examples of Links courses which have been revamped therefore are now true tests of links golf for todays modern equipment etc...I never suggested staging the event there.

The Irish Open was not supported by fans when it was held in Dub/Leinster and as a proud Limerick man I, along with thousands of others was very disappointed to see it leave the greatest parkland designed course in Ireland bar none....it's the irish open's loss...hope they crowds/fans enjoy the blistering cold wet weather with zero shelter on the dunes of Baltray!!!! I won't be there for sure...waste of a day.

PhilipMarlowe

ollieryanisold wrote: »

But hey...what do I know I only worked in the golf industry for 15 years in Golf Digest Ireland, Irish Examiner, AdareManor, Bord Failte...yeah...I'm not really sure I know anything about golf to be honest:o

Whatever you know about golf after 15 years in the industry, you're on here 15 minutes and have taken a swipe at Dell workers (some of whom could be readers here) and called someone else a muppet...

ollieryanisold

I have two brothers working in Dell limerick and know about 50 others on a personal basis...it was a Limerick man's humour...you wouldn't get it...obviously...I called "yur man" a muppet because he was being a smart ass with me...I'm sure he can defend himself...if was offended then i whole heartly apologise otherwise why you don't you stick to the topic and relax there for yourself!;)

Par72

ollieryanisold wrote: »

I am serious...I have played in the east of ireland several times over the years as a scratch player and can tell you that it's a boring and over rated golf course...In fairness, name an Irish Open venue that did not get rave reviews by the players!??? "the players" are always raving about the venues...unless it is a total dog-track of a course...Baltray is a fine course for sure but is simply not challenging enough for todays players...courses like Lahinch, Royal Dub etc...which have been revamped in recent years are truly testing tracks regardless of the weather...In a calm day Baltray is obsolete...that 2nd hole (Par 5) can be reached with a drive and a wedge by amateurs for godsake!:p

Wow, A driver and a wedge for on a 523 yard hole is pretty special. That's a drive of what? about 400 yards?

ShriekingSheet

Par72 wrote: »

Wow, A driver and a wedge for on a 523 yard hole is pretty special. That's a drive of what? about 400 yards?

Duh!

He plays of SCRATCH!!!

:rolleyes:

ollieryanisold

Par72 wrote: »

Wow, A driver and a wedge for on a 523 yard hole is pretty special. That's a drive of what? about 400 yards?

If you can understand/grasp that in a calm day with hot weather...dry ground etc...maybe a very light breeze with the fairways running like greens speed wise...it is easy easy to knock a drive well over 350yds down that fairway...especially if you draw the ball from right to left with top spin...easy easy easy...As far a wedge for 2nd shot...As far as the 2nd shot...we can hit a wedge from 150 yds...so it's not a simple mathematical "523 yard hole = drive of 400 and a 2nd of 123yds...that's not how it happens) I have, in the east of ireland, hit it with a drive and a lob wedge (60* wedge) but generally speaking..that 2nd hole is only a drive and 8,9,Wd 2nd...and I have hit that 3rd hole with a drive and as little as an 8 iron...the last 80-100 ys is all down hill so it;s only a matter of getting over the bloody hill...you could knock it on with your dick on a dry sunny day!!!:)

ollieryanisold

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

Duh!

He plays of SCRATCH!!!

:rolleyes:

Hilarious! There are lads I play golf with who are 18-24 handicap and they can hit further than me off scratch...handicap is irrelevant to my point.
However in saying all of that...if there is any kinda wind blowing on that course it can be very very difficult...but my point is...without the wind Baltray has little or no defenses...regardless of how "they" set-up the course...In Ballybunion...my point was proved correct...the players arrived and shat themselves when they saw the layout on practice days...the wind was howling the greens were glass the rough was tight to d fairways and knee high...what happened??? The tour moved the tees forward...watered the greens...cut back the rough...result!? 61, 62 & 63's were shot by the players...they made mince meat of the place...

In summary, Baltray like Ballybunion is not suitable to staging a professional golf event because there are too many eliments that interfere with how the tournament is set-up and run. The "pro's" won't play on a course that is set-up too hard for them...fact...but in the east of ireland...they put us out from the back tees in all sorts of weather...no room for making it easy for us when it gets tough...no sir.

But what do I know

ShriekingSheet

ollieryanisold wrote: »

The Irish Open was not supported by fans when it was held in Dub/Leinster and as a proud Limerick man I, along with thousands of others was very disappointed to see it leave the greatest parkland designed course in Ireland bar none....it's the irish open's loss...hope they crowds/fans enjoy the blistering cold wet weather with zero shelter on the dunes of Baltray!!!! I won't be there for sure...waste of a day.

It all becomes so, so clear all of a sudden

For all your 15 years experience, 400 yard drives and high handicap mates who hit it tour length, you're actually just bitter because they moved it from your county!

You could have just said that at the start and saved us all a whole lot of reading!

kingshankly

Ollie you are making a fair and valid point but your not exactly putting it across very well.
Don't think you would make a good politican. Calling people muppets is uncalled for especially young sheet who would be one of the most respected lads on here .Deep breaths ollie and welcome to the golf forum

ollieryanisold

Yep...spot-on...bitter big Limerick man here. We are a very bitter people you know!
Well at least we don't have to pretend to be "munster" supporters unlike 99% of the Leinster brigade!
Small victories...little tiny victories!

ollieryanisold

kingshankly wrote: »

Ollie you are making a fair and valid point but your not exactly putting it across very well.
Don't think you would make a good politican. Calling people muppets is uncalled for especially young sheet who would be one of the most respected lads on here .Deep breaths ollie and welcome to the golf forum

Think you are correct...young sheet seems to be very respected...wrong mind you...but respected nonetheless...maybe if had the respect to treat a newcomer with a fraction more decorum and refrain from patronising and deliberately mis-interpreting my comments then..and maybe then I would not have called him a muppet. Sorry AGAIN.

f22

ollieryanisold wrote: »

Oooooooooooooohhhhh Graeme...now now sonny. Don't be a vicious little prick coz that's what you sound like to me...limp and bent

Hey big man, what's with all the attitude? You aint going to make too much of a good impression around here as a new poster.

You have some valid points but you could express yourself a little better to be honest.

PhilipMarlowe

I wonder how many of those 15 years were spent working with Bord Failte?

HuntingDrog

Look, this is my opinion and i'm not shoving my opinion down anybody else's throat (not like a certain other on this board......) but Baltray is truely an enjoyable and exciting round of golf.

It mightn't be the hardest or longest golf course in the world but it is a testing links that deserves to hold such a pro tournament again.

The Irish pro's (who know better) love the course and are looking fwd to it too.

Par72

ollieryanisold wrote: »

If you can understand/grasp that in a calm day with hot weather...dry ground etc...maybe a very light breeze with the fairways running like greens speed wise...it is easy easy to knock a drive well over 350yds down that fairway...especially if you draw the ball from right to left with top spin...easy easy easy...As far a wedge for 2nd shot...As far as the 2nd shot...we can hit a wedge from 150 yds...so it's not a simple mathematical "523 yard hole = drive of 400 and a 2nd of 123yds...that's not how it happens) I have, in the east of ireland, hit it with a drive and a lob wedge (60* wedge) but generally speaking..that 2nd hole is only a drive and 8,9,Wd 2nd...and I have hit that 3rd hole with a drive and as little as an 8 iron...the last 80-100 ys is all down hill so it;s only a matter of getting over the bloody hill...you could knock it on with your dick on a dry sunny day!!!:)

Who's the "we" in the "we can hit a wedge from 150 yds"? In fact, if you are hitting the ball 350 off the tee then you need to hit that wedge 173 yards. But maybe maths isn't your strong point.

f22

The only downside for Baltray is location, no doubt it's a pain in the ass to get in and out of.

In terms of the course being too easy, I will agree that on a calm day with a dry surface it can play short but when do we ever get 4 days of calm dry weather in a row.

The East was won last year -6 in moderate conditions. While there is no doubt the standard on tour is higher, the cream of Irish amateurs didn't blitz the place.

Good course, good challenge. I'm definitely going for a day or two.

ollieryanisold

Well you see I was thinking that most of you would understand that the listed yardage of a hole does not mean that one has to actually hit the ball that far on that hole!
In other words if a hole is 200 yds long...that is measured from the back of the tee-box to the centre of the green...on any given day 1 hole that is listed 200 yds rarely "plays" 200ys...it could be playing 230 with wind or it could be playing 170 (maybe it's down hill etc) so your knowledge of golf is far less than my mathematical ability.

If you are not offended! But you are welcome

RuggieBear

Guys, less of the personal abuse. debate the posts not the poster.

ollieryanisold

f22 wrote: »

The only downside for Baltray is location, no doubt it's a pain in the ass to get in and out of.

In terms of the course being too easy, I will agree that on a calm day with a dry surface it can play short but when do we ever get 4 days of calm dry weather in a row.

The East was won last year -6 in moderate conditions. While there is no doubt the standard on tour is higher, the cream of Irish amateurs didn't blitz the place.

Good course, good challenge. I'm definitely going for a day or two.

Yes good point. I played in that event and I can assure you that the current cream of irish amateur are no where near as high (standard wise) than several years back...most good amateurs are gone "pro" and there are only a 4-5 guys who could have shot those scores...you put 145 top Euro and US pro's on that track and 20 -30 of them will go nuts with birdies...Now is that such a bad thing for the viewers.fans?? I don't think so...but that was not my point...the course is not a challenge for them (pros) when compared to other top courses all of which were available to host the event.

ShriekingSheet

I'd like to genuinely say to Ollie, welcome to the forum.

New posters' opinions are as valid as regular posters and I think it would be to the detriment of the forum if we were to come accross as a clique that jumps on any new arrival who disagrees with with someone.

One pointer I'd give is to treat it the same as you might normally do when discussing anything with strangers. You wouldn't walk up and say "I'm off scratch and worked in golf and here's my opinion". If you make a logical argument (and it is cool to argue), you won't need to qualify it by saying how good you are at golf or what experience you have. Not usually anyway, and especially on a topic like the Irish Open where it's as much to do with logistics/marketing as it is to do with golf.

Opinionated pr*cks who maybe think they're better than they are... such as yours truly are very, very welcome here. Your level of golf, like the other posters here at that level, means you'll be a good asset around here.

But in truth, I don't think anyone cares what you're off. You're obviously an enthusiastic golfer and that's pretty much the only box you need to tick.

Sheet

kingshankly

great scoring can lead to great tv the ryder cup this year was a birdie fest with very accesable pins but it was great viewing.

Mister Sifter

ollieryanisold wrote: »

Yes good point. I played in that event and I can assure you that the current cream of irish amateur are no where near as high (standard wise) than several years back...most good amateurs are gone "pro" and there are only a 4-5 guys who could have shot those scores...you put 145 top Euro and US pro's on that track and 20 -30 of them will go nuts with birdies...Now is that such a bad thing for the viewers.fans?? I don't think so...but that was not my point...the course is not a challenge for them (pros) when compared to other top courses all of which were available to host the event.

What did you shoot yourself in the East of Ireland at Baltray?

ollieryanisold

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

I'd like to genuinely say to Ollie, welcome to the forum.

New posters' opinions are as valid as regular posters and I think it would be to the detriment of the forum if we were to come accross as a clique that jumps on any new arrival who disagrees with with someone.

One pointer I'd give is to treat it the same as you might normally do when discussing anything with strangers. You wouldn't walk up and say "I'm off scratch and worked in golf and here's my opinion". If you make a logical argument (and it is cool to argue), you won't need to qualify it by saying how good you are at golf or what experience you have. Not usually anyway, and especially on a topic like the Irish Open where it's as much to do with logistics/marketing as it is to do with golf.

Opinionated pr*cks who maybe think they're better than they are... such as yours truly are very, very welcome here. Your level of golf, like the other posters here at that level, means you'll be a good asset around here.

But in truth, I don't think anyone cares what you're off. You're obviously an enthusiastic golfer and that's pretty much the only box you need to tick.

Sheet

I totally understand your points and have read them trice. I can only try to assure anyone who cares...that I am not throwing my weight around as a scratch golfer or as someone who knows it all...even if I do know most of it!;) golf wise anyway. I'm not bothered if I make "friends" but at the same time wouldn't like to be getting into battles especially on a sport that is so close to my heart and livelihood (hard business to be in at the moment I can tell you)...however, i would like to say that really good/low amateur golfers can be a strange breed...some say cocky some say stuck-up etc...speaking about myself, it's sometimes not easy to listen to extremely poor and unqualified statements and comments from people who clearly have not got more than passing interest or below average knowledge of the scared game. I am a fountain of information relating to golf and the industry in general and would be happy to be a useful addition to this forum however it's clear that I am on a different wave length to many posters here and it's clear that some of them find it difficult to relate to my personal opinions based on my personal experiences...
Funny thing is...if I was busy enough at the range or out on the course etc I would not be here ranting on about golf...so when the frost lifts you'll all be rid of me.:)

ollieryanisold

Graeme1982 wrote: »

What did you shoot yourself in the East of Ireland at Baltray?

I'd prefer not to say Graeme because it would clearly give my privacy away..as you could check the scoring and with a simple process of elimination you'd know who i am. Fair enough?

I can say that I was in contention until the last round...contention could mean 10 shots behind the leader of course!
anyhow...I personally like Baltray and would rate it as a great links course for sure...but that doesn't make it a suitable venue for a pro event.
It's too far for most people to attend and very poor access and the tented village area is too far from the course...they should have moved it into the metropol area of Dub of left it in Limerick where there are sport craving loonies and/or Cork or maybe The Heritage in Killenard Portloaise...great venue great set-up (course is good...not great but great condition)

ShriekingSheet

ollieryanisold wrote: »

I'd prefer not to say Graeme because it would clearly give my privacy away..as you could check the scoring and with a simple process of elimination you'd know who i am. Fair enough?

I can say that I was in contention until the last round...contention could mean 10 shots behind the leader of course!

That's odd because there was no players from Lahinch in the last round...

f22

ollieryanisold wrote: »

Yes good point. I played in that event and I can assure you that the current cream of irish amateur are no where near as high (standard wise) than several years back...most good amateurs are gone "pro" and there are only a 4-5 guys who could have shot those scores...you put 145 top Euro and US pro's on that track and 20 -30 of them will go nuts with birdies...Now is that such a bad thing for the viewers.fans?? I don't think so...but that was not my point...the course is not a challenge for them (pros) when compared to other top courses all of which were available to host the event.

Wouldn't agree with you there standard wise Ollie. I've seen alot of amateur golf over the years as a spectator and caddy, and there is some real quality in Ireland at the moment that can hold their own with any other country. No doubt the leap to European Tour level is high but our young guns seem to be doing pretty well so far.

This year Jonathon Caldwell got his card and Paul O'Hanlon is going EuroPro. There are quite a few better than them still out there and 2009 might pop up some real bright stars of the future.