Mentioned Tralee in the 'diary' of Laura and my just completed Irish trip ("Irish Trip - Doonbeg Day 1). Liked the course very much. Some observations:
* loved 1,2 and 3. #1 for the 'ease' into start, without being whimpy. #2 is just awesome, though difficult so early in the round. #3 is exhilarating, and much more playable than it seems, with ample room left for bails and cut run-ups. The green conditioning at 3 was quite good.
* liked how old stone walls (at least I think they're old) have been incorporated into the holes/routing. That is mostly true at #4, where a long wall runs up the left side. Yes, 4-6 may be plainer holes, but they create a break from the drama that unfolds at 2 and 3 and before 8.
* Next time you're at the clubhouse, notice how they designed a low stone wall/curb near it that is the same style as the old walls on the course. Also, the clubhouse has the same stone face on the course side. Fabulous tie-in.
* think the tee ball at 6 is a bit awkward. Since so many holes in Ireland love crossovers, why not move 6 tees left and 9 tees right? softens the angle on 6 and adds some angle to the short 5 par
* wonder why the seventh green isn't more left, atop the dune? Neat little hole could become neat, little frightening hole.
* #8 is the lone hole with coast on the left. Further, it is an excellent opportunity for a heroic tee ball past the large, right dune at about 120 from green. Keep it just like it is
* Nine and 18 are lacking enough demand from the player, especially since they are shorter 5 pars. Would like to see some punch added to both and some mounding behind 9 to hide off-property sightlines.
* #10 is just an excellent hole
* #11 is just a difficult hole, but completely open for the entire length, though the length from the white and green tees should be shortened by about 25 yards or so.
* If #12 were listed as a 5 par, people would love it as a great risk/reward hole. Hey, who says the risk/reward cant work on a long 4 par. Hit a good, solid tee ball then smack a second over the gunge and have a relatively simple third. Or lay back to 100 yards (where there is plenty of fwy width) and face the short iron potentially ballooning into the prevailing wind. Wish they would mark the gunge gulley here, at 13 and 16 as hazards. Would simplify and speed the round
* Agree that 13 is a tough play. In the other thread, wrote that it would be much better if two bunkers were cut into the slope behind the green: almost centered and with long axis parallel to the green's back edge. Would help visually break the massive gunge view and also offer a findable and playable alternative to the plunge of death short of the green (again, the hazard designation would help. Not an unplayable, as that requires re-loading from the original spot) Could even put a drop area on top of the small dune right/short of the green. Would be a little baby, Cape shot from 50 yards or so. Cool.
* #15 is fine, but the lack of fairway near the green means little realistic success on a bashed drive, thus many will just bunt one short and wedge on. The area short and left of the green is ripe for short grass, and would still have some interesting angles for pins on the largish green
* Freakin LOVE 16. Too long from the whites (move the plate to 165), but there is much width, especially when one looks at how the left side slopes down to the green, effectively widening that side. And yes, again, 'hazard' the gunge short and make the tee at 100 yds the drop. Might have to expand it, or add one on opposite side of path.
* #17 is an outstanding tee ball option, where a gallant effort down the right will shorten the approach considerable, especially since it is normally into the prevailing wind. But would like to see the green lowered (10 feet or so), lengthened (5-7 yards) and saddled.
As it is now, Tralee is a wonderful test, and though taxing in some spots, offers options to those who think and reasonably execute. With some further tweaking, it can become a true marvel.