Irish architects

[Mark_Rowlinson]

From what I've read in the many well-informed posts on this site about the great Irish courses, you are obviously the people to plug the gaps in my knowledge.  Ireland now attracts designers from all over the world, but what are the natives, dead and alive, like?  Eddie Hackett built a large number of Irish courses, often on a minimal budget, I'm told.  Where does he stand?  Then came Tom Craddock and Pat Ruddy, and now we've got Chistie O'Connor Jnr, Philip Walton and Des Smyth contributing in no small way.  What do you think of them?

[Brian Phillips]

Des Smyth has does a lot of his designs with Declan Brannigan.  He is the father of one of my best friends Ronan. Ronan has just finished his M.Sc. in Golf Course Architecture together with me in Edinburgh.

He also has a honours degree in some hippy course called Horticulture Landscaping or something like that.

Watch out for Ronan in the near future.  Not only can he design but he also talks and writes a good game.  He is a pretty good player...now and then.

Brian

[Forrest Richardson]

My favorites over there are Thomas O'Fazio and Bernie O'Langer.

[Mike_Sweeney]

Mark,

The best book that I have read about history of the famous courses and the architects of Ireland is Links of Heaven by Richard Phinney and Scott Whitney. They talk about Eddie Hackett often in the book as a real hero to many of the small towns where his courses were built.

At Carne, his last course, it is built on heavenly terrain through high dunes and rough surf. Carne is very very remote. I have heard some complaints about his mild bunkers and tame green complexes, but he was building for the concept of maintaining a low maintenance budget. Jack Marr is a member who post here, and I think he has posted that they are adding an additional 9 holes. I prefer that they did not, as I believe the new land is not near the ocean and may dilute the original 18. Can't tell you how spectacular it is when you make the trip out there. Eddie Hackett's portrait is hung over the fireplace at Carne, and is well deserved there.

Hackett also did Enniscrone, which recently had 4 new "Dune" holes added by Donald Steel. The Steel work has been very well received as he went into a dune area that again Hackett could not touch due to budget. Enniscrone will get more and more acclaim as people make the trip to the Northwest to see it. It is worth the trip. Big dunes, greens are more rolling and interesting. There is a third nine at Enniscrone, but it is clearly set up as a seniors course, with lots of play on Friday Couples night.

Fazio just completed his work at Hackett's Waterville, and it will be interesting to hear how that is received.

[Paul_Daley]

Partrick Merrigan is another Irish architect who gets a piece of the pie.

[Jack_Marr]

Christy O'Connor Jnr is doing a lot of work here. I think he's excellent, although his work might be a bit American for many on this board. Eskerhills is a super course set amongst the esker "dunes" of the midlands and is well worth a visit. Hard on the legs, though. Mt Wolselely, Glasson and Galway Bay are his other designs of note. He raves about Galway Bay, but I've heard it's nothing special. I like Wolselely a lot, but haven't played the others.

Mike

I think the next nine holes in Carne are to be by the sea. I think this would be a great addition as the dunes are more subtile here and would give up a different style of hole, maybe appealing to those who aren't enamoured with the high-rolling holes of the first 18. Ruddy is the obvious choice, as he was involved in designing a sister course in Rossapenna. Jim Engh is also a member of Carne, so maybe... This is wild speculation, though. I don't think they would have the budget for  a major designer, unless they were willing to work for challenge.

Hackett didn't always go out to build a masterpiece, as sometimes he had no budget, but he produced enough superb courses on no budget to suggest he was pretty special.

Then, as mentioned, there's Merrigan and Craddock. After that, I don't really know. Merrigan did Tulfarris, which has some superb holes, very linksy.

Walton did St. Helen's Bay, which is just OK. I don't think he set out to build a world beater, though. Smyth did Seapoint, which has an excellent finish, but an uninteresting start (mainly due to the land he got, I'd imagine). Peter McEvoy has done a good few, but he could be English (not sure).

The latest projects in Ireland have envolved Ballisteros, O'Meara, Montgommery, Norman and Ruddy.

[Brian Phillips]

Jack,

I would just like to add that Des Smyth did Seapoint with Declan Brannigan and did not do it on his own.  I have nothing against Player Designers being involved with projects but recognition should also be given to the architect.

It receives a 15 out of 20 in the Peugot Golf Guide which is a very good recommendation where no marks are given over 19 in the book.

Ronan, Declan's son is now joining the design team and they are a force to look out for in the future.  Ronan is one of the most talented people I have met when it comes to imagination in design.  With his maintenance background you will also get a design that can be maintained to the appropriate budget as well.

Brian.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Thanks to you all.  I am glad that Hackett gets due recognition for his work.  He was amazingly prolific, and so many of his layouts were constructed with minimal resources - which so often seems to be a blessing - and Ireland was then a far less wealthy country than it is now.

[Jack_Marr]

Brian

Do you think they will be tinkering with Seapoint? The last few holes are set out on land similar to the neighbouring Baltray. The first 12 are set out on relatively flat land. Is there anythign they can do with this?

Jack

[Brian Phillips]

Jack,

I am not sure, Ronan is going to try and post this week on this thread so I am sure he could answer the question.

Brian