Your Home Club? Help Appreciated

Kevinmarkham

I've just got the go-ahead for a third edition of Hooked... so I was hoping to tap into the knowledge of all the golfers on Boards.

The 2nd/current edition came out in 2011 and a lot has changed on the Irish golf scene since then. Turvey, Kilkea Castle, Killarney (Lackabane) and Dublin City have gone, Limerick County and South County have been reborn as new entities, Carne is now 27 holes and a couple of 9-holes have become 18s. And then there's Doonbeg.

I'll be contacting all the golf clubs to clarify what has happened at their courses in recent years, but in the meantime I would really appreciate it if you could fill me in on any changes at your home club...

1. Have any new holes or new greens been introduced?
2. Have there been radical changes to the bunkering or tee boxes?
3. Has the layout/hole order changed?
4. Any new features, e.g. ponds, ditches, tree plantings?
5. New facilities, e.g, practice facilities, clubhouse changes?

And if you know of any changes at nearby clubs please add them in as well. It'll all be very helpful.

Also, if you have reference to a copy of Hooked and you disagree with any of the reviews, let me know which one/s and why. I'll have to visit a fair number of courses in the coming months so it may prompt a revisit.

Many thanks... any questions, just ask.

denishurley

Bandon is unchanged since Hooked 1.

I know Cobh were experimenting with changing their hole order to finish with the 'island' par-3 10th, but not sure if they have decided to do it permanently.

blue note

I think the redevelopment of Tramore was completed around 2007, so I assume that is the version you have in your second edition?

No major changes since. We lost a lot of trees this year I suppose, but I don't think it has actually affected the course drastically.

We got a new coffee machine in the pro shop.

kiers47

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

I've just got the go-ahead for a third edition of Hooked... so I was hoping to tap into the knowledge of all the golfers on Boards.

The 2nd/current edition came out in 2011 and a lot has changed on the Irish golf scene since then. Turvey, Kilkea Castle, Killarney (Lackabane) and Dublin City have gone, Limerick County and South County have been reborn as new entities, Carne is now 27 holes and a couple of 9-holes have become 18s. And then there's Doonbeg.

I'll be contacting all the golf clubs to clarify what has happened at their courses in recent years, but in the meantime I would really appreciate it if you could fill me in on any changes at your home club...

1. Have any new holes or new greens been introduced?
2. Have there been radical changes to the bunkering or tee boxes?
3. Has the layout/hole order changed?
4. Any new features, e.g. ponds, ditches, tree plantings?
5. New facilities, e.g, practice facilities, clubhouse changes?

And if you know of any changes at nearby clubs please add them in as well. It'll all be very helpful.

Also, if you have reference to a copy of Hooked and you disagree with any of the reviews, let me know which one/s and why. I'll have to visit a fair number of courses in the coming months so it may prompt a revisit.

Many thanks... any questions, just ask.

Hi Kevin. Member in tipperary GC.
No significant changes here bar a lot of drainage work. New Tee Box on the 15th but it doesn't really change the hole.

Ballykisteen have changed the first back to a par4 but John(Ballyk) would probably give you more details.

Dundrum has remained as is although the business itself has changed. I will be opening a thread in a minute.

Also If you need a hand reviewing any clubs in the Munster region let me know

alxmorgan

East Clare lost the iconic Scots Pine on 9 in the storms.

newport2

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

I've just got the go-ahead for a third edition of Hooked... so I was hoping to tap into the knowledge of all the golfers on Boards.

The 2nd/current edition came out in 2011 and a lot has changed on the Irish golf scene since then. Turvey, Kilkea Castle, Killarney (Lackabane) and Dublin City have gone, Limerick County and South County have been reborn as new entities, Carne is now 27 holes and a couple of 9-holes have become 18s. And then there's Doonbeg.

I'll be contacting all the golf clubs to clarify what has happened at their courses in recent years, but in the meantime I would really appreciate it if you could fill me in on any changes at your home club...

1. Have any new holes or new greens been introduced?
2. Have there been radical changes to the bunkering or tee boxes?
3. Has the layout/hole order changed?
4. Any new features, e.g. ponds, ditches, tree plantings?
5. New facilities, e.g, practice facilities, clubhouse changes?

And if you know of any changes at nearby clubs please add them in as well. It'll all be very helpful.

Also, if you have reference to a copy of Hooked and you disagree with any of the reviews, let me know which one/s and why. I'll have to visit a fair number of courses in the coming months so it may prompt a revisit.

Many thanks... any questions, just ask.

Tulfarris has just had a new set of ladies tee-boxes built, significantly changing the course. They've just been officially measured and new indexes issued. (The main reason behind it was that it was too long, societies were coming and playing and saying they loved it, but would not come again due to length.)

Also, a lot of money spent on drainage there in the last few years, so that has significantly improved things in the wet season (at least if you don't wander too far off the fairways!)

BraveDonut

Bray GC had the 2nd and 18th green complexes rebuilt and completed last year.
These along with the 13th had new bunkers built using a different method than the other bunkers on the course. (something to do with how the base was bonded). They give a different style of play.

New 18th tee box complex 2 years ago to accommodate a reservoir project that allows the course its own water for fairways, etc.

Golfgraffix

Portmarnock Links

1. Have any new holes or new greens been introduced? New par 5 13th, new green added, about 68 yards past the old.
2. Have there been radical changes to the bunkering or tee boxes? 14th was shortened to a drivable par4. New Tee boxes on hole one, changed the angle of the hole. The silly cross fairway bunker on 12 has been removed.
3. Has the layout/hole order changed? No
4. Any new features, e.g. ponds, ditches, tree plantings? No
5. New facilities, e.g, practice facilities, clubhouse changes? No

charlieIRL

need a travel partner?!!!

pcasso

I played Laytown and Bettystown last week and the old par 3 eight wasn't played.
We played through the normal sequence of holes until coming to a new par three which was the new fourteenth.
I am not sure if this is a permanent change or if they have just developed an extra hole to rest/work on other holes at various times.
The new 14th was a nice par three and was definitely not a temporary hole

Kevinmarkham

charlieIRL wrote: »

need a travel partner?!!!

If you reckon you can sleep in the boot of a VW Golf, with only golf clubs, soggy shoes and me for company, I'm sure we can work something out!

m r c

No changes of note in Strandhill, Castle Dargan, Enniscrone or Co Sligo up until now anyway.
I think there is work planned on the 10th in Co Sligo but nothing yet afaik

I have your 2nd edition of hooked and couldn't disagree with almost any of your observations, if you are playing alone in the north west for the 3rd book I'd love to play a round or two with you.

the greatest game

Limerick golf Club ( ballyclough) has lost close to 300 trees.. the course has been transformed , for the worse.

Castletroy, has removed fairway bunkers from the 3rd , 4th ,8th , 9th, 10th, 16th 17th, Bunkers beside greens - Redeveloped on 5th and 6th, Lost 100 trees in the storm, and has been removing surplus trees over the last the last 2 years.


Ballyneety- From what I noticed from the car park the other day, it looks quite well.. lots of daisys though...but greens look decent, and its great to see a course brought back.

ballyk

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

1. Have any new holes or new greens been introduced?
2. Have there been radical changes to the bunkering or tee boxes?
3. Has the layout/hole order changed?
4. Any new features, e.g. ponds, ditches, tree plantings?
5. New facilities, e.g, practice facilities, clubhouse changes?

Many thanks... any questions, just ask.

Congrats on getting the go-ahead for Hooked III Kevin. Answers for Ballykisteen below:

1. Have any new holes or new greens been introduced? No
2. Have there been radical changes to the bunkering or tee boxes? 1st hole had been turned into a par 3 for a couple of years. It's back to a par 4 now though thankfully. No major changes other than that.
3. Has the layout/hole order changed? 1st hole has along out of bounds section down the right hand side of the fairway.
4. Any new features, e.g. ponds, ditches, tree plantings? No
5. New facilities, e.g, practice facilities, clubhouse changes? The driving range is now floodlit and open late each evening.

Benny Cake

Not a member there but there has been some significant layout changes in castlecomer. Removes the need to climb the hill twice. As the course was originally laid out you now play 1,2,3,4,5,6,12,11,8,9,10,13,14,15,16,17,18

scrubber72

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

If you reckon you can sleep in the boot of a VW Golf, with only golf clubs, soggy shoes and me for company, I'm sure we can work something out!

Do i sense a little bromance starting?........

New starters hut in galway bay. Massive improvement.

cjfitz

Castleisland have done a lot of work to the clubhouse and the dressing rooms.
The only on course changes is there has been a big improvement to the drainage system.

fearruanua

best of luck with your new venture kevin.

Bearna GC in Galway

1 and 2 are gone. The original third is now the new first with two new holes 4 and 5 stuck in, in the middle of the course near where the driving range(never opened) was supposed to go. the two new holes are divided by an internal out of bounds.

The first hole is a huge loss to the course, it was a great and tough opening hole. and i always loved the drive from way up in the furze on the second.

a new par 3 has been built over by the 15th tee box but i haven't a clue what that is going to replace.

not sure if there are any bearna members on here who could shed more light on the changes.

dan_ep82

Not a member anymore but Rathcore are putting in a chipping green, its almost finished I think.

dball

new elevated tee-box on the par 3 10th in Ceann Sibeal.
great view of the green !!!!!!!!!

Seve OB

No need for me here Kevin, I think you know my home course better than I do

newport2 wrote: »

Also, a lot of money spent on drainage there in the last few years, so that has significantly improved things in the wet season (at least if you don't wander too far off the fairways!)

WOW, you wouldn't think that. I played there last Sunday and thought it was shocking. We haven't had that much rain of late, and I have played a good few different courses recently, none of which had soft fairways. The fairways in Tulfarris, I could only classify as seriously soft, spongy and muddy.

if they could do more on the drainage, its a lovely course, i don't mind the length

The Premier Man

As fr.ted would say "good luck with the book" again. I have the 1st version I think and the order of the holes in my club CALLAN have changed dramatically. I also think it has improved a lot from that review, greens are way better and some small tweaks here and there have improved things.a few bunkers have been filled in but these weren't generally in play anyway.il give you a better description of the new order in the coming days

mike12

Bellewstown have changed the 9s so it breaks up the hill plus a new lake on the new first

A New earth

Huge work ongoing on the bunkers in Dun Laoghaire Kevin, some filled in and others redesigned, say reduced in size by 50% etc, will not be finished until next year (in time for the Curtis Cup in 2016). A good lot of tree planting also for example left and right of where you drive on 8th middle, more added to 5th middle, 7th Lower and numerous other holes. If you can, leave a visit until say May next year when it should all be finished

padfar

Lucan are developing a short game area

Rikand

Anywhere online I can find what was printed about Athlone to know which changes have been made since the last review ?

yettie1701

Best of luck with the book Kevin. When is your new one out by the way ? No changes to the layout in Gowran Park. A lot of drainage in the last three years which have dried the place up no end.

bruachlan

Best of luck with the book Kevin.
Ballyneety, formerly limerick county is back up and running with minimal changes to the original layout.
12th playing as a par 3 until the summer as a new tee box and fairway have been layed.
18th now a very short par 4 as tee box was moved up nearly 100m due to an objection from one of the houses to the right of the tee box.
Some bunkers throughout the course have been grassed out and are now played as grass bunkers and the remainder of the bunkers have been treated and resanded and are now back in play.

thewobbler

Kevin I'd recommend you pay a visit to Clover Hill (Mullaghbawn) again, as almost every year they unleash a few seismic changes. It never will be a championship course but it's so much fun to play.

Not much else up in this region has change of note. But (and I know I've inbuilt bias) your rating of Warrenpoint was very unfair compared to neighbouring courses. Banbridge is a muck infested pitch and putt in comparison to Warrenpoint!

agusta

bruachlan wrote: »

Best of luck with the book Kevin.
Ballyneety, formerly limerick county is back up and running with minimal changes to the original layout.
12th playing as a par 3 until the summer as a new tee box and fairway have been layed.
18th now a very short par 4 as tee box was moved up nearly 100m due to an objection from one of the houses to the right of the tee box.
Some bunkers throughout the course have been grassed out and are now played as grass bunkers and the remainder of the bunkers have been treated and resanded and are now back in play.

Just to clarify,The 12th hole doesnt have a new tee box.AFAIK the 12th will revert to a par 4 soon with dropping to the side of the fairway to protect the new fairway.There has been no change to the 18th since limerick county went into receivership.It used to be a great par 5 but has been a tricky par 4 for the last couple of years before it closed.

carnsoreboxer

Really looking forward to 3rd edition but as of right now no changes to my home course but hopefully I'll be in a position to invite you to play this time next year. Still waiting for planning approval

quinda

Some subtle changes to Howth since you were there last,

1. Have any new holes or new greens been introduced? No
2. Have there been radical changes to the bunkering or tee boxes? New or improved tee boxes on 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 13th (ladies), 15th. Investment in sand and green material storage facilities, Significantly improved sand quality in bunkers
3. Has the layout/hole order changed? No
4. Any new features, e.g. ponds, ditches, tree plantings? New trees and Spinny's on 1st, 5th/7th, 13th/14th. Drains and Water Hazards reshaped and redefined on 3rd, 8th and 15th. Drain at end of 17th fairway reshaped and improved.
5. New facilities, e.g, practice facilities, clubhouse changes? Ball dispenser added for range. Quality and condition of practice range, short game area and chipping green much improved. New windows throughout club house and new gents showers just completed.

Kevinmarkham

The Premier Man wrote: »

As fr.ted would say "good luck with the book" again. I have the 1st version I think and the order of the holes in my club CALLAN have changed dramatically. I also think it has improved a lot from that review, greens are way better and some small tweaks here and there have improved things.a few bunkers have been filled in but these weren't generally in play anyway.il give you a better description of the new order in the coming days

Invite me down! It's one I have listed for a new review

A New earth wrote: »

Huge work ongoing on the bunkers in Dun Laoghaire Kevin, some filled in and others redesigned, say reduced in size by 50% etc, will not be finished until next year (in time for the Curtis Cup in 2016). A good lot of tree planting also for example left and right of where you drive on 8th middle, more added to 5th middle, 7th Lower and numerous other holes. If you can, leave a visit until say May next year when it should all be finished

I know there were bunkers coming out and they were in progress when I visited as part of the Inside The Ropes a couple of years ago. Book has to be in later this autumn, so I can't last till May 15. But will drop in for a look as it's v easy for me to get to.

Rikand wrote: »

Anywhere online I can find what was printed about Athlone to know which changes have been made since the last review ?

I don't think so, Rikand. But I liked the place a lot (above Glasson), so somebody in the club should have a copy!

yettie1701 wrote: »

Best of luck with the book Kevin. When is your new one out by the way ? No changes to the layout in Gowran Park. A lot of drainage in the last three years which have dried the place up no end.

New book out in a few weeks... got advance copies today!

thewobbler wrote: »

Kevin I'd recommend you pay a visit to Clover Hill (Mullaghbawn) again, as almost every year they unleash a few seismic changes. It never will be a championship course but it's so much fun to play.

Not much else up in this region has change of note. But (and I know I've inbuilt bias) your rating of Warrenpoint was very unfair compared to neighbouring courses. Banbridge is a muck infested pitch and putt in comparison to Warrenpoint!

Yep, Warrenpoint review has caused a few debates, so I'm planning to drop by Warrenpoint, en route to Malone at the end of May. I have no issue with the quality (and superior to Banbridge, no question), but Warrenpoint didn't light my fire, apart from that glorious corner.

spacecoyote

They've added 2 channels as water hazards about 100 yrds out from the green either side of the fairway on the index 1 first hole in Grange Castle and are working on putting in a first cut along a number of fairways as up till recently its been fairway¦rough

No change to layout or order of holes.

New Management Co. planning to upgrade tee boxes & bunkers this year as well as improving the standard of the 7-hole course & the practice area (though no idea around tmeframes for this)

Jimdagym

There's a few minor changes to Ireland's Augusta aka Silloge Park. If you want to re-evaluate it let me know and I'll treat you to a round Kevin.
Keep up the good work!

curly from cork

Quite a lot of changes in Cork GC probably too many to attempt to write out Kevin .. Do you want to talk it though? Or play it ?

Kevinmarkham

curly from cork wrote: »

Quite a lot of changes in Cork GC probably too many to attempt to write out Kevin .. Do you want to talk it though? Or play it ?

I had a chat with Matt Sands last year, so it's another on the 'must-visit' list.
Tks Curly

Loire

curly from cork wrote: »

Quite a lot of changes in Cork GC probably too many to attempt to write out Kevin .. Do you want to talk it though? Or play it ?

You'll love the bunkers Kevin :pac:

colmsix

beaverstown have developed a new shot game /pitching area to the right of the 3rd green which is well worth a warm up session on before you tee off.reshaping of the old green and new bunkers around it are a great asset to have.give a shout if you want alook around

PARlance

Played Castlewarden recently Kevin and the place was in excellent condition.

The members I was playing with mentioned that the drainage work done about 6 years ago (possibly after your review) has really started to show.

I could be wrong but they may have added a second putting green (beside the first tee), a driving range/field with distance markers (bring your own balls) and also a new short game again since your first review also.

When you add all that to the putting green within the walled garden, it's a smashing set up out there now.

From the looks of the trees, a lot of the younger ones will have helped define the holes better in the 7 years.

They've also got some bunker expert in who has completed a review and offered advice.
I believe they are going to change either 3 (or 6) holes per year over the next 6 (or 3 years) as a result.
17th and 18th are nearing completion at present.

Seems like a club/course on the up and one that has put a decent plan into operation.

Now... If they could only change about 6 of the holes to suit my game better I'd be a happy man and possibly a member
It's a consideration for next year.

spacecoyote

PARlance wrote: »

Played Castlewarden recently Kevin and the place was in excellent condition.

The members I was playing with mentioned that the drainage work done about 6 years ago (possibly after your review) has really started to show.

I could be wrong but they may have added a second putting green (beside the first tee), a driving range/field with distance markers (bring your own balls) and also a new short game again since your first review also.

When you add all that to the putting green within the walled garden, it's a smashing set up out there now.

From the looks of the trees, a lot of the younger ones will have helped define the holes better in the 7 years.

They've also got some bunker expert in who has completed a review and offered advice.
I believe they are going to change either 3 (or 6) holes per year over the next 6 (or 3 years) as a result.
17th and 18th are nearing completion at present.

Seems like a club/course on the up and one that has put a decent plan into operation.

Now... If they could only change about 6 of the holes to suit my game better I'd be a happy man and possibly a member
It's a consideration for next year.

What's the cost for membership? It is a nice course I must say, would definitely improve your game in terms of precision off the tee compared to gc (mean that as a general "your" rather than yours specifically Par )

ib_sanf

Saw your book while on a golf trip to Donegal last week.

It's excellent, getting my own copy today.

Can't give you the exact detail but Ballcarrick has been totally re-arranged/re-routed compared to what's in your guide. I believe this was done prior to your last addition in 2011.

Maybe a Ballcarrick member or the club could give you the exact changes.

Sean_pop

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

I've just got the go-ahead for a third edition of Hooked... so I was hoping to tap into the knowledge of all the golfers on Boards.

The 2nd/current edition came out in 2011 and a lot has changed on the Irish golf scene since then. Turvey, Kilkea Castle, Killarney (Lackabane) and Dublin City have gone, Limerick County and South County have been reborn as new entities, Carne is now 27 holes and a couple of 9-holes have become 18s. And then there's Doonbeg.

I'll be contacting all the golf clubs to clarify what has happened at their courses in recent years, but in the meantime I would really appreciate it if you could fill me in on any changes at your home club...

1. Have any new holes or new greens been introduced?
2. Have there been radical changes to the bunkering or tee boxes?
3. Has the layout/hole order changed?
4. Any new features, e.g. ponds, ditches, tree plantings?
5. New facilities, e.g, practice facilities, clubhouse changes?

And if you know of any changes at nearby clubs please add them in as well. It'll all be very helpful.

Also, if you have reference to a copy of Hooked and you disagree with any of the reviews, let me know which one/s and why. I'll have to visit a fair number of courses in the coming months so it may prompt a revisit.

Many thanks... any questions, just ask.

Portarlington Golf Club

The short 5th Hole par 3 has been extended some 40 yards from the back tees.

A.Partridge

Kevin,

Two new greens at Skerries GC.

3 & 5.

djivide_

Changes to Carton house The O'Meara course :

Have any new holes or new greens been introduced?

-> Two new holes + greens 1st (par 5) and 18th (par 4)


Have there been radical changes to the bunkering or tee boxes?

-> The second now uses the old 1st green but new tee boxes to create a par 3 instead of the old par 4


Has the layout/hole order changed?

-> 5th has been dropped from the course (par 3) Course has changed from par 72 to 73

slave1

Hi Kevin, not a member but the new owner of New Forest seems to be ploughing money into it, a number of lodges near the clubhouse appear to be completed and it looks like an extensive long game practice area is under construction (check the photo here)

Jacksquat

slave1 wrote: »

Hi Kevin, not a member but the new owner of New Forest seems to be ploughing money into it, a number of lodges near the clubhouse appear to be completed and it looks like an extensive long game practice area is under construction (check the photo here)

The lodges around the courtyard are available now and there's a driving range and chipping area being constructed behind them.
If it counts the restaurant has reopened full time as well since it was taken over. It used to be only open at certain times.

JR23

Arklow golf club has upgraded tee boxes on three holes, 1, 10 and 16! It has also riveted the green side bunkers on 5!

Kevinmarkham

JR23 wrote: »

Arklow golf club has upgraded tee boxes on three holes, 1, 10 and 16! It has also riveted the green side bunkers on 5!

I love the bunkering at Arklow - really adds character to the greens... and lethal too. I put some photos up in the 'Golfing Images' thread a couple of months back.

Kevinmarkham

Sean_pop wrote: »

Portarlington Golf Club

The short 5th Hole par 3 has been extended some 40 yards from the back tees.

A great hole. Does that not put the tee box in the clubhouse?? And does it affect the length from the white tees, do you know?