Autumn Colour at Druid's Glen

The par three 12th... high tee, lots of water, sloping green...
what else do you need to know?

I’ve never had an issue admitting that I’m wrong about a golf course… some courses which I simply loved a few years ago have waned slightly as I have played them again or played their peers and – how shall I put this – rebalanced my opinion. Of course, the same is also true: a course I was distinctly tepid about has warmed my heart the more I have played it. 

Surely you feel the same way yourself!

And then there are the courses where your feelings never change. You love ‘em, or you hate ‘em and nothing’s going to alter your view.

IGTOA 2016 Award Winners

The Irish Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA) had its annual shindig in north Dublin earlier this week… culminating with a black tie gala dinner and awards at the Grand Hotel in Malahide. So here’s a list of the winners who can bask in a little home-grown love for the next year.

The Magnificent Six

Swans causing slow play at Rathfarnham... tsk!

It’s not often you get to visit six Irish golf courses in a day… the fact I was trying to make it to seven is beside the point… but needs must. And visiting Ireland’s finest is hardly a hardship. A 550 km tour from Wexford-Dublin-Baltray-Mullingar-Kinnegad-Dublin-Wexford.

Here are some photos from the tour:

Irish Golf News October 2016

Views to the MacGillycuddy's Reeks from the 17th
green on Killarney's Killeen Course

There have been numerous interesting developments in recent weeks as the summer/autumn golfing season begins to wind down. No question, we’ve had a great couple of weeks and for those lucky enough to have been on the golf course, many have been basking in sunshine. It should inspire the warm-weather golfers to keep going a bit longer.

Here are a few bits and pieces worth talking about:

Ryder Cup 2016... Questions and Blame Game

Who among us doesn't love the Ryder Cup? Seriously, if ever golf needed to stir passions all the powers-that-be need to do is look at and learn from the Ryder Cup. Every hole is a win or lose scenario... if only the Olympics would pay attention. This is the way to show the world what golf is all about.

True, a portion of the American fans proved PJ Willett 100% right, which is an omen of things to come. Those powers-that-be need to do something to stop the craziness because someone's going to get hurt. Stop serving alcohol at 7.30am perhaps?

I've written two articles in recent days - one for the Irish Examiner and one for the weekly online Irish Golfer Digital+. The Examiner piece focuses on the desire of the golfing world and media to generate a 'Blame Game' mentality. All the reasons for potential failure and who's to blame get lined up like dominoes... just waiting to be knocked down as soon as the winning putt drops.

The other article is more tongue-in-cheek and addresses some 'questions' which get me riled up about the Ryder Cup... such as WAGS, merchandise, slo-mos and mashed potatoes.  

Ryder Cup - an A to Z

I wrote a piece on the Ryder Cup for yesterday's Irish Examiner... it's an A-Z of facts and moments. It was fun to research and revealing too... who knew a replica Ryder Cup waterproof outfit by Galvin Green would set you back €900!

Here's the link:
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/golf/from-antagonism-to-zinger-a-z-of-the-ryder-cup-422989.html

Ireland's 100 Best Golf Holes 2016

Yes, it had to happen... and happen it did in the current issue of Irish Golfer Magazine. A list of Ireland's Best 100 Golf Holes has been published and the nit-picking has begun. Is anyone surprised? No, of course not. Everyone has their favourites... which is as it should be.

The list was devised by Ally McIntosh (golf course architect) and me (gobby, opinionated golf writer) and after reducing over 7,000 holes to a mere 200 the real work began. It is frustratingly tough to get to that 100 number. Several of my favourite holes didn't make the cut for one reason or another - Druid's Glen par three 8th, Athlone's par four 13th,

Cruden Bay Photoshoot - Day 2

The bar at the White Horse Inn, Balmedie.

A 5am start is bad enough without the hotel fire alarm going off at 1.30am.

We all sulked out of our rooms, muttering and then we waited for the fire brigade. At least they were quick (15 minutes) and in and out in another five. The lead fireman was none too pleased with the resident of the offending room.