Chipper: the quality of the Barnbougle is every bit as good as you've heard. Ranking properties against others is fraught with danger, and I'm not in a position to comment having not played FH or PD. However, no-one who has traipsed over the genuine linksland has been anything short of bowled-over.
Forget reports about Barnbougle being near the sea, this little beauty is on the sea, with 4-5 tees positioned atop the frontal dunes. Strangely and somewhat anti-climatic, at very few links in the UK do you actually hear the roar of the sea.
Out on the links, there are perhaps 13-15 holes with views of the ocean. Royal Porthcawl in Wales makes good capital of having sea-views on all 18 holes, but rest assured the Barnbougle property is considerably more promising for golf. Another highlight of the property is the water boundaries: estaury; sea; and low-lying wetlands on three sides. Away in the distance, the spectre of a purple-headed mountain range makes a glorious contrast.
One interesting aspect of the property is the variation in dune elevation, and this alone ensures the shotmaking variety. At various times through the round, you'll draw on comparisions with Lahinch, Ballybunion, and Portrush. Everyone will see something different, but my feeling when viewing it pre-construction and during, has been one of an overwhelming Irish links flavour, not Scottish or English.
Like St. Andrews Beach, visitors to Barnbougle will be treated to a variety of par-lengths, and some crackerjack short par-4s.
Perhaps as a mark of confidence from an architect who has "runs on the board", one talking point of Barnbougle Dunes will be a medium-long par-3 from an elevated tee to a huge, billowy green, framed by marram grass with about 35 potential pin positions. I kid you not: the audacious 13th green is bigger than Wall Street, but with many more undulations.
Unlike some of the UK links, which can leave you less than excited about the clubhouse (structure and positioning), Barnbougle's selected site will leave golfers with a lasting impression of their visit.
Dela: It's always good to be conservative when predicting dates for Opening Day; too many courses Down Under over the last five years have opened up that niggling 1-2 months too early, sometimes due to the pressure of stating it on a prospectus. You mention late 2004: when I spoke to one of the directors recently, it was his opinion that April 2004 was nearer the mark.