The bait couldn't be any juicier, or so it would seem for the man known as 'The Great White Shark'. Greg Norman's choice of Ireland's Ryder Cup player Padraig Harrington to play an 18-hole exhibition match to officially open the new Doonbeg links in County Clare - which was designed by the Australian - will add some bite to the occasion on July 9th.
Although constructed to the highest modern specifications, Norman - who made numerous visits to the site during the development - has designed a course that is a throwback to many old-style links courses, with a number of tee-boxes built overlooking greens and numerous cavernous bunkers. So, a special course required a special match, and Norman's personal choice was to take on Harrington, currently the highest-ranked Irish player in the world rankings at number nine.
"Padraig's top-five finish at the Masters reaffirmed that it's only a matter of time before he wins his first major," said Norman yesterday in confirming the duel in the dunes. He added: "It would be great if our match at Doonbeg was to be a prelude to a final-group pairing in the British Open at Muirfield two weeks later." The match will be played on the Tuesday after the Smurfit European Open at The K Club - where both Norman and Harrington will be playing - and, in fact, it will be a busy day for Harrington as, shortly after playing in the exhibition match with the two-time British Open champion, the Dubliner will travel by helicopter to The K Club to fulfil a long-time commitment to a fundraiser in aid of next year's Special Olympics, which takes place in Ireland.
The Norman-Harrington match is the highlight of a four-day celebration at Doonbeg, which begins with an official opening ceremony earlier that morning when the top university players from the US, Britain and Ireland will also be present.
The collegiate players will be participating in the Palmer Cup - college golf's most prestigious international competition - which annually pits the US against Britain and Ireland. Although the B&I team has yet to be selected, it is anticipated that Graeme McDowell will be included, provided he remains in the amateur ranks after the NCAA finals next month. Both the exhibition and the Palmer Cup will be broadcast on The Golf Channel. The Palmer Cup is also due to return to Ireland in 2004, when it will be played over the old course at Ballybunion.
Even before the official opening, interest has been high for the international memberships at Doonbeg. There are currently 138 paid members. Non-member greens fees are €185.
When complete, the site will contain luxury accommodations, a leisure centre, and a golf village with a pub, restaurant and golf shop. Initial on-site accommodations are expected by 2004. Doonbeg Golf Club is the creation of Kiawah Development Partners (based in Charleston, South Carolina) in association with Landmark National. Their last joint effort was at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, where they co-sponsored the 1991 Ryder Cup matches, and where Harrington coincidentally teamed up with Paul McGinley to win the 1997 World Cup of Golf.
The schedule is: July 9th: Official Opening and Norman-Harrington match. 10th: Palmer Cup Opening Ceremony, Palmer Cup College-Am. 11th: Palmer Cup Fourball/Foursomes. 12th: Palmer Cup Singles matches/Closing Ceremony.
