Athy golf club in Co Kildare is the latest to face major changes in the coming years. Plans passed by the members at the recent a.g.m. include a new clubhouse to replace the existing building, which was built in the late 1960s, and a two-phase approach to course development. Patrick Ennis of Kildare Architects Ltd outlined the clubhouse plans and the course plans by Paul O'Brien of Jeff Hawes Golf Design Ltd.

The new clubhouse plan received favourable reaction; it will be a single-story building to incorporate a new office, a snooker room and all the regular features of a modern clubhouse. On the course, the layout of two holes will be changed and the river will be brought more into play. Eighteen new tees will be designed, 23 new bunkers created, and there will be an extensive tree-planting programme.

A modest levy over five years was agreed, and 50 new members will be taken in 2002. The clubhouse and phase one of the course development will be in place before the club centenary in 2006.