PORTMARNOCK have decided on radical action to restore the condition of the course to appropriate standards. They have been exasperated by problems to the greens, for the last two years.
Widely acknowledged as the country's premier course, Portmarnock is to be the venue next year for the men's European Amateur Team Championship - only the second occasion for the event to come here. "We are particularly anxious to have the course in top quality condition by then," said honorary secretary Moss Buckley yesterday.
One of the main problems at the North Dublin links is fusarium disease, commonly known as snow mould, in the greens. A new, computerised irrigation system is being installed and the greens are gradually coming around but not sufficiently quickly to appease frustrated members.
As it happens, remedial action is facilitated by the fact that the club has no major fixtures, professional or amateur, this year. It was to have staged the Murphy's Irish Open but that arrangement was scrapped last August because of major differences between the two parties.
"If there could ever be a good time to have course problems, this is it," added Buckley. "Quite frankly, we have been dissatisfied with the absence of any worthwhile progress on the course for the last two years. Granted, the weather didn't help, insofar as we went from an unusually dry summer into a severe winter."
Meanwhile, another leading in these islands has become the focus of a different sort of controversy. "Things would never seem the same," said Philip Walton on hearing that the Alfred Dunhill Cup may be leaving St Andrews after its 12th staging, next October, because of generally hostile weather at that time of year.
Walton, who has played for Ireland in five Dunhill teams from 1989 to 1995, including the second Irish victory in 1990, conceded: "Sure, conditions can be difficult. It's probably held a few weeks too late. I remember wearing two hats there a few years ago when the weather was so bad that I was petrified with the cold."
But he went on: "I think that any advantage the home based players may have, tends to even itself out over the years. I will be very disappointed if the tournament goes elsewhere. St Andrews is a very special place and a great test of golf with some wonderful finishing holes."
After missing the cut at El Saler last weekend, Walton is all the more determined to make a spirited defence of the Smurfit Irish Professional Championship, starting at Slieve Russell on Thursday. It will be his first experience of the splendid Ballyconnell venue and he will be arriving there tomorrow morning for the pre championship pro am.
I've heard some very positive things about the course and sure it will be an excellent test," said the Malahide player who has won the title on four occasions.
Co Louth (1987), Castle (1989), Woodbrook (1991) and Belvoir Park (1995). In his last success, he shot rounds of 72, 65, 66 and 70 for a 15 under par aggregate of 273 and a one stroke margin over Paul McGinley.
Walton is not concerned about European form which has seen him, make only three cuts out of seven, so far this season. "I'm a notoriously slow starter," he said. "Even when I won the Catalan Open last April, it came after four successive missed cuts." He went on: "There's nothing wrong with my game that a little bit of confidence wouldn't but right."
In his absence, some of the country's up and coming talent performed admirably at El Saler. "I'm not a bit surprised," he said. "Padraig Harrington has what it takes to make a very good career for himself on the European Tour and he will have learned much from the experience of challenging for the lead in Cannes. The next time he finds himself in that position, he'll be better prepared mentally."
As expected, Harrington is among those players who have opted out of the Irish Championship so as to compete in this week's Italian Open, not least for the fact that it is followed by the first re ranking of the season. Former champions David Feherty and Ronan Rafferty are also in the Bergamo line up along with Paul McGinley, Francis Howley, John McHenry and David Higgins. McGinley is there with a view to getting an exemption into the British Open.
In the US, Mark O'Meara pushed his career earnings to close on $7 million by capturing top prize of $324,000 in the Greater Greensboro Open at Forest Oaks last weekend. It was O'Meara's 12th tour win in the US and his 17th internationally and he was so much in control, that he could afford to bogey the last and still beat off the challenge of Duffy Waldorf.
O'Meara's made his victory surge with a course record equalling third round of 62, followed by an outward 32 on Sunday when he carded two birdies, an eagle and six pars to lead by four strokes at that stage. His career earnings are now $6,994,934.
Only two Irish players have qualified for the inaugural Gosen Tour. Tim Keightley of Luttrellstown Castle (28th) and Neil Manchip of Royal Co Down (69th) successfully came through the qualifying school at John O'Gaunt's Carthagena course in Bedfordshire.
From an original entry of 288, a total of 124 players made the halfway cut of 146, so securing places in the new tour which is geared towards aspiring tournament professionals and will have six events this season with total prize money of £200,000.
