The Links Thread

RoadRunner wrote: »

Played Portmarnock old yesterday in a team event in lovely weather. Incredible conditioning. Wonderful course even if less exciting then the big west or north-west coast links courses that I've played. Greens to die for. An excellent challenge. Not a weak hole or part of the course.

So after all the talk and debate and open or not open or GUI rate or "Exclusive Irish Golf Club Members Rate". I bit the bullet and payed the €150 to play.

I always maintained I would pay a rate if reduced - but that to me is still on the high to very high side.

Again - my work and life, means I make these calls at fairly short notice and there is often an impromptu dimensions to it , an impulsive , look at weather and when things align. I go for it.

I've no issue playing alone and it suits considering how short a notice I decide to play and the odd days of week I play.

So was all very professional and not a bother attitude wise about the whole process.

I know I've admitted straight up, I have a chip on my shoulder about certain clubs not offering opens . But in fairness to me , I went with an open mind (and wallet).
I'll be honest and if everyone can be honest for a second. We all know that Portmarnock don't really want this sort of stuff. We are where we are as they say. So it is about us all adjusting to our new world and reality.

I have absolute wonderful memories of The Irish Open at Portmarnock as a child (with my father). It is the place that turned golf into a big idea for me. The ones I particularly remember are 88/89/90.

They were days of seeing guys off the telly - doing things incredibly with a golf ball , rain and sun and sandwiches and Ice Cream and coke. Massive crowds and long walks. Nick Faldo, Jose Maria, Philp Walton, Mark Calcavecchia, Ian Woosnam , Seve. Autographs, the odd golf ball from a pro to make your day, your year, your young life. The odd grumpy bollix of a pro, you don't forget either.

It seemed a wonderful place to watch golf also - lots of room , but very hard to get there on that long narrow road. It seemed a great event for the area , that not only captured the imagination of the golf scene - it captured the imagination of the general public. At that time not many big international sporting events were held in Ireland. We have since held lots . But at that time a sport loving nation and city - was desperate for something at that level. And it really was a top top event on a top tour. Look at the list of winners and even runners up. Whilst it would be frowned upon now (drink and smokes sponsorship). You have to say, it was fairly visionary of Carroll's to build (over a very long time) the Irish Open to the event it ended up being.

Sorry for the completely irrelevant side story

Back to the course. I have played it before , but it is not the typical big Irish links with the big dramatic dunes and run offs. I'll admit , I'm totally sold on any course with that bigger dramatic feel - (Rosapenna, Enniscrone, Ballybunion). I then also love dramatic landscape. So a course in a more spectacular setting like RCD, Ballyliffin, Portsalon, Dooks. These always get a better review and make a far greater impact on me.

So - I'm not a person to judge a course on design etc. (I'm not a complete amateur/clueless) , but I know I have a weakness for big dunes.

I find courses of this nature have grown on me over the years, but unfortunately. Links course of the nature of Portmarnock, need far more playing. I mean 10/20/30 - 100 rounds of golf to fully enjoy them.

The run offs around the greens are fascinating and are what make the course. The condition of the surfaces are incredible. People often talk about solid links turf. But out there you are walking on as solid, as mature and as pure as they come. You feel completely wrong walking on them , never mind pushing a trolley near the green - and even more bizarre - very little, no go areas with the trolley. It is up to you , your respect for the course and common sense.

If the truth be known - there seems to be little or no traffic on any surface - and that brings the quality of the surfaces to a level, you are simply not familiar with.

I'm changing a good bit of my swing and am fairly crap at the moment - so the golf was very poor - (after a good start) got stuck in a bush a bunker a tree all on one hole for a 9 :mad: and this resulted in 8 over on the front (I got fairly wet too after a wrong weather prediction (serves me right)) I came home somewhat respectable in 5 over. So not a great place to be playing unless you are playing well. I will add - on a still day , it looks easier than the reputation - but , it is a place that with wind and more rough would be a nightmare.

I guess it was not just about the golf for me. It was about the past, part of my life, people passed , great days, exorcising a few demons.

There are so many great holes - a subtle nature to them , great bunkers and run offs - likes of 1, 3, 4 - then all the par 3s are brilliant and fun. Likes of 8 has a green that would take you years to understand. Then other great holes like 11 and the run from the famous par 3 - 15.

Would I pay €150 again --- -No
Would I play it again at €100 --- yes (once a year)
Could it be a course you could play every week --- definitely
Would I join a club that wouldn't have me as member --- definitely not

I'll get the game in shape and head back if the price drops below 100. But the price is still just too expensive for me at present.

It is a complex place and course. But maybe the best things in life are complex and difficult to work out. I'm not sure I'm finished with her yet.