From the Irish Independent Website:
http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/portmarnock-top-of-the--pile-after-course-upgrade-1751788.htmlExcerpt from the article:
"Portmarnock takes over as number one from Royal County Down, which was tops in the rankings for the last two years. Linton Walsh, MD of the magazine said: "After the publication of last year's list, the magazine contacted all of the courses on this island, requesting information on any work that was being undertaken.
"Correspondence was received from 83 of these clubs (96 courses), an increase of over 30pc from last year, outlining the great work that had been undertaken in their club. In total 37 clubs moved up the list, 45 moved down, 10 remained the same and there were eight new entries."
Difficulty
The clinching factor for Portmarnock was upgrade work, particularly to run-off areas on several greens which heightened the difficulty of recovery shots at the second, third, eighth, ninth, and 14th holes, plus work on restoring traditional fescue and marram grasses on the links.
The European Club has jumped two places to third, which means that Ballybunion (Old) drops two places to number five. In Ballybunion's move down the order, the panel considered length to be a significant factor, this time in a negative sense.
While acknowledging the timeless challenge posed by its superb greens, the panellist took the view that, at 6,598 yards off the back tees, the much-revered Co Kerry links has become increasingly vulnerable to modern equipment. Even in the nine years since it staged the Irish Open, tournament players are driving the ball an average of 14 yards further."
What nonsense!!