Darren Clarke Slams 2014 Ryder Cup Venue

[Mark Pearce]

It's over a year since his wife died.  Does he have to spend the rest of his life in mourning to satisfy some people?  This thread reflects very badly on some participants.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Cynics! Of course he walks the talk - he's just produced his first course.

"An Eminently Playable and Enjoyable Golfing Experience
Less than one hour from Dublin, Moyvalley is set over 500 acres. This exciting new championship course has been designed by Irish Ryder Cup star, Darren Clarke, and represents his first foray into golf course design. The project is bold in its approach with large lakes and bunkers strategically placed to catch the wayward golfer.
The par 72 course, at 7370 yards, is very challenging from the back tees, and is certainly destined to stage major championships in the near future. However, Darren’s design philosophy was to ensure that the average golfer will find the course both an eminently playable and enjoyable golfing experience from the forward tees."
 
http://www.moyvalley.com/defaultpage1221cd0.aspx?pageID=131



His carear at this stage looks like a prediction for Sergio in 10 years time.  If only they had a 'major championship' where you didn't have to putt.

On the other side there's very few players today with anything like the charater and charisma.

[Marty Bonnar]

David Kidd has another 7 years to undo Jack's worst. Every year in every gear, it's getting better and better.

The Centenary is indeed an 'American-style' course in Scotland, but the GREAT people at Gleneagles have clearly recognised its shortcomings and acted. As Ozzie once opined: "Ah'm goin' thru CHANGES..."

I wish TC would chip in here sometimes.

Suffice it to say, it'll never be the Kings but at least it'll be long enough not to be embarrasing...heckers it might even LOOK good on the Tellybox.

FBD.

[Brian_Ewen]

Martin , I totally agree with you about David Kidds work , but the one thing I dont think he can change is the routing , and that is always going to be a problem .

Are the Euro.Tour still using buggies to ferry golfers from some greens to tees , this year ?

[Jay Flemma]

I don;t think his lack of a major should be a dark stain on him, he had a moment for all golf time back at the Ryder Cup last year.  That was beautiful to watch.

[Jon Wiggett]

It is sad that certain people find it necessary to ridicule Clarke for voicing an opinion on a course that is clearly far from one of the best in Scotland. Although the Ryder Cup is a huge event it doesn't have to have the same infrastructure as the Open. This is maybe a missed opportunity to use a venue that could not host the Open such as Dornoch or Cruden Bay. Still I am sure that Gleneagles will put on a superb show of it.

The loss of his wife to cancer is something that affects him and his family and no one else. If he choses to keep his mourning private then thats his choice. John K, you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to use this tragic episode in Clarke's life against him!

[KBanks]

David Kidd has another 7 years to undo Jack's worst. Every year in every gear, it's getting better and better.

The Centenary is indeed an 'American-style' course in Scotland, but the GREAT people at Gleneagles have clearly recognised its shortcomings and acted. As Ozzie once opined: "Ah'm goin' thru CHANGES..."

I wish TC would chip in here sometimes.

Suffice it to say, it'll never be the Kings but at least it'll be long enough not to be embarrasing...heckers it might even LOOK good on the Tellybox.

FBD.

Martin,

Has David Kidd convinced Gleneagles to take out the cart path at Monarch/Centenary? It would be another step in the right direction.

Ken

[Jeff Loh]

mr clarke is correct. stayed at gleneagles for this years open. took out a 2nd mortgage on house.

ALL the locals said dont bother with the nicklaus course. no one had anything good to say about it. played the kings and queens which were both a ton of fun. figured i'd listen to the punters..........
jeff

[Marty Bonnar]

'fraid not yet, Ken.
Some of the green to tee walks are so like cross-country hikes, they might be better installing funiculars - far less have carts.
Some of DK's mods have ALREADY been poo-poohed by the Tour players. There was a really nice new green at 8 (I think?) which was so hated during the practice rounds for the last tourney, they reverted to the old green. Bodes it not well, thinketh I...

FBD.

[Kalen Braley]

Monty fires back.....

GLENEAGLES, Scotland -- Johnnie Walker Championship chairman Colin Montgomerie defended the Gleneagles Centenary course on Friday and said familiarity with it would prove an asset to Europe in the 2014 Ryder Cup.

After his second round on Friday at Gleneagles, Montgomerie told reporters: "I'm convinced we won at Valderrama because we knew the course so well, also at the Belfry and last year at the K Club.

"We already know this course well and we have another seven years here. I think the course is getting better each year. I feel the course would stand up to any Ryder Cup.

"I wasn't on any committees to choose courses but this course is on a par [with recent Ryder Cup venues] if not an awful lot better."

[KBanks]

Kalen,

Monty's loyalty to Scotland is admirable, but "...on a par with recent Ryder Cup venues" is certainly damning with faint praise.

Ken

[Wayne_Kozun]

Monty is likely also campaigning to be Captain in the near future so it is unlikley he is going to do anything to upset the powers that be.