Ballybunion Golf Club has decided to do extensive work on the their Cashen course. Apparently this will include work on almost every green, some changes to the topography throughout the course and relocation of at least one green (#5).
The work will be done by Tom Watson and Graham Maxwell and will be done gradually over a period of 5-6 years, with a desire to spread out the project cost driving the project schedule.
This was reported to me by fellow Ballybunion member and friend Kevin Frost who some may know has a history with the Cashen. Kevin was the person who hit balls for Robert Trent Jones and did quite a few paintings when the course was built in the early 1980s.
The Cashen has been the subject of controversy since it’s inception for a few reasons. The original design was very difficult to walk and the grow in didn’t go very well at all. Then too, there were some fairways that were simply too narrow given normal wind conditions.
This news sadly brings to mind to passing of Neil Regan who loved the Cashen, whatever it’s faults. I am sure Neil would hope the Watson led work goes well.