Of the three par-threes at Portmarnock, the 12th was the only one that Harry Bradshaw aced twice. Yet he didn't rate it as highly as the 15th, which suggests that he would probably have approved of the work currently being undertaken by the club.

Apart from the introduction of new sub-soil to a depth of eight inches, the 12th green is to be extended backwards into the hill and also to the right, where a new bunker will be sited. There will also be tee alterations. Changes to the long 13th and 16th holes will involve gentle mounding and hollows to the sides and back of the greens.

On a break from his work at Lahinch, Martin Hawtree, whose grandfather, Fred, designed the third nine at Portmarnock, is the architect in charge and Walter Woods is the agronomist. Work is expected to be completed by early December and the holes will be ready for play at the end of next April.