Carne Kilmore 9

[Thomas Dai]

'Wild Atlantic Dunes' has a certain marketing sound to it but so what if it means more folks travel to play Carne, especially if they have the opportunity to play what we've known to date as the Kilmore-9.
The most challenging 9-holes of links golf around? Can't be many harder. Epic holes galore with some delightfully contoured putting surfaces. Mowing lines are key though.
Carne have had a shining gem, a big shiny diamond, on their hands for years with the Kilmore holes and they're holes more folks need to play.


atb

[Ally Mcintosh]

I know the club have bandied about the “Wild Atlantic Dunes” name for a while.


Sounds like they are committed to occasionally sell that choice of 18 in the future. I do doubt that they have gone the whole hog by replacing the Hackett 18 as the main course, however.


For me, the key is that they play the composite course routing that cuts out a couple of the longer green to tee walks and eradicates that awkward crossover that Ulrich so disliked. To do this, they will need to make sure that any one day only has an 18 and a 9, not a fully interchangeable 27.


Will need to pop down again. Dan’s photos look promising, even if many of the cut lines are still wrong.

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

That said, the No Laying Up lads were there with Tom Coyne a couple of weeks ago and they apparently saw through the presentation to what lay below. There’s a video in the works so I’m looking forward to seeing that.

Here is a link to the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyvHOP-bqAI

[Mike Sweeney]

That said, the No Laying Up lads were there with Tom Coyne a couple of weeks ago and they apparently saw through the presentation to what lay below. There’s a video in the works so I’m looking forward to seeing that.

Here is a link to the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyvHOP-bqAI

That was awesome. Thanks for posting Donal, and I will get back there to see Ally's new 9, hopefully in June 2020.

[Robin_Hiseman]

I've watched that You Tube episode a couple of times now and it's great. I really hope it encourages folks to make the trip way out west.


It's exciting to hear that the club are finally embracing Ally's Kilmore course and promoting the composite course. We played Ally's preferred sequence when the course first opened, which was Hackett 10-16, then Kilmore 5-9, giving an 11-hole loop back to the clubhouse, followed by Kilmore 1-4 and Hackett 17-18 to finish. Unequivocally the most exciting duneland course I've ever played. I hope that is the sequence they use, but i suspect not, as they would have to swap out the tee markers whenever they switch from the regular layout.

[Tom_Doak]

Unequivocally the most exciting duneland course I've ever played.

I assume you are not saying it is the most exciting links course you have ever played - or maybe you are - but if not, where do you draw the line between links and duneland?  Which are Ballybunion and Royal County Down?

[Robin_Hiseman]

Tom


With specific reference to the Wild Atlantic Dunes configuration of Hackett 10-18 and Kilmore 9, I think it is the most exciting duneland/links course that I have played. I'll broaden the definition to include links if that makes it clearer. I'm not saying it's the best, but in terms of the thrill factor I've not played an equal...yet.


I'd rate both BallyB and RCD as duneland, although the distinction is subjective.


I've walked St. Pats, so maybe you'll be giving Carne a run for its money. I look forward to making the comparison someday.

[Thomas Dai]

Not sure there’s a more dramatic run of links/duneland 9-holes in GB&I than the Kilmore-9 at Carne. There are a few stretches but 9-in-a-row? And when routed in combination with the Hackett holes Robin mentions below or even all of the second-9 of the Hackett, well ..... epic stuff.
It’s good that the NLU crew visited Carne and hopefully their videos etc will help raise Carnes profile. Such a shame though that no mention was made or credit given given to Ally - this oversight has been highlighted to them and others though.
Visit - and/or revisit - Carne - just scroll down and view the photos Dan has posted below to get an inkling as to why.
Atb

[Ally Mcintosh]

That said, the No Laying Up lads were there with Tom Coyne a couple of weeks ago and they apparently saw through the presentation to what lay below. There’s a video in the works so I’m looking forward to seeing that.

Here is a link to the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyvHOP-bqAI

That was awesome. Thanks for posting Donal, and I will get back there to see Ally's new 9, hopefully in June 2020.

Mike,


If you are going to get to Carne next year and are happy for some company, I’d love to meet up. Maybe show you Strandhill at the same time. Just finished a couple more weeks work there and back down in January.


Robin: As it happens, I agree with you. The Composite Course is a thrill a minute and if they bring the conditioning + mowing lines up to speed, it really will be something... Even I wouldn’t call it the “best” but exciting = best in some people’s eyes and just to have some love the course so much is really pleasing.

[Tom_Doak]

With specific reference to the Wild Atlantic Dunes configuration of Hackett 10-18 and Kilmore 9, I think it is the most exciting duneland/links course that I have played. I'll broaden the definition to include links if that makes it clearer. I'm not saying it's the best, but in terms of the thrill factor I've not played an equal...yet.


I'd rate both BallyB and RCD as duneland, although the distinction is subjective.


I've walked St. Pats, so maybe you'll be giving Carne a run for its money. I look forward to making the comparison someday.

Wow.  Most people would classify Ballybunion and Royal County Down as near the top of the "thrilling" charts, so that's a strong statement.  I would not expect anyone to say St. Patrick's is more thrilling [or better] than those.  We'd be happy just to be in the conversation.

[Robin_Hiseman]

With specific reference to the Wild Atlantic Dunes configuration of Hackett 10-18 and Kilmore 9, I think it is the most exciting duneland/links course that I have played. I'll broaden the definition to include links if that makes it clearer. I'm not saying it's the best, but in terms of the thrill factor I've not played an equal...yet.


I'd rate both BallyB and RCD as duneland, although the distinction is subjective.


I've walked St. Pats, so maybe you'll be giving Carne a run for its money. I look forward to making the comparison someday.

Wow.  Most people would classify Ballybunion and Royal County Down as near the top of the "thrilling" charts, so that's a strong statement.  I would not expect anyone to say St. Patrick's is more thrilling [or better] than those.  We'd be happy just to be in the conversation.

I would classify them way up there too and I've played all of the GB & I links courses in that genre, bar Portstewart. The Carne Composite Course is really something, helped by the fact it is still endearingly low key and rustic. The BUDA contingent can attest to the fun it gave us all and once it is in better shape and Ally's exciting green surfaces are finally running true, I think it may someday become the default routing for Carne, with the Hackett front nine becoming the secondary course. Carne are truly blessed, but it has taken them a long time to appreciate what Ally created. I'm very pleased for him. I know it's bruised his soul watching the Kilmore 9 on life support these last few years.

[Thomas Dai]

There are stretches of GB&I links holes that are pretty epic - the front-9’s at Portstewart/RCD/Royal Aberdeen, the back-9’s at Pyle & Kenfig/Hillside and various sections at the likes of Enniscrone/Cruden Bay/Tralee/Ballyb'/
Sandy Hills at Rosap’ but I’ve seen nothing that is as consistently epic/thrilling for so many consecutive holes as a combination of the Kilmore-9 and second-9 of the Hackett course at Carne. Wonderful terrain and design that fits it, and minimalist too and all with very little £-$-€ spent.
All who can should visit Carne .. and it’s not that difficult to get there as it’s only an hour’s drive from Knock Airport where jets land.
Atb


Some sample photos - Hackett 2nd-9






Sample photos - Kilmore-9

[Ally Mcintosh]

Gerry Maguire’s “diary of a pandemic” seems to have gone viral (excuse the pun) and Carne have been inundated with support over the last week.


Although they may struggle with few green fees throughout 2020, I feel much more positive that they might head in the right direction. They have a new greenkeeper (Fergus Kearney) who I’ve yet to meet but I hear is very much behind the new nine. They seem committed to it now, as well as playing the Composite course with the Hackett back 9 on a regular basis.


As soon as things finally open up, I will be heading down to hopefully work with Fergus in slightly adjusting a few mowing lines. I’ll be more than happy to do some pro-bono work with them if it means getting the course looking right and they’re happy to have me. I’d love to be able to rework the bunkers which look like shadows of how they should. We’ll see if they are open to small construction works to help improve.

[Cliff Hamm]

https://www.golfersjournal.com/the-pandemic-diary/

[Jeff Johnston]

Gerry Maguire’s “diary of a pandemic” seems to have gone viral (excuse the pun) and Carne have been inundated with support over the last week.


Although they may struggle with few green fees throughout 2020, I feel much more positive that they might head in the right direction. They have a new greenkeeper (Fergus Kearney) who I’ve yet to meet but I hear is very much behind the new nine. They seem committed to it now, as well as playing the Composite course with the Hackett back 9 on a regular basis.


As soon as things finally open up, I will be heading down to hopefully work with Fergus in slightly adjusting a few mowing lines. I’ll be more than happy to do some pro-bono work with them if it means getting the course looking right and they’re happy to have me. I’d love to be able to rework the bunkers which look like shadows of how they should. We’ll see if they are open to small construction works to help improve.

Mark F’s current thread on budgets prompted me to revisit this one.


Ally, all restrictions etc notwithstanding, were you able to hook up with the guys at Carne again per above? I see that - per the booking section on the website - Carne seem to have the composite WAD 18 as the offered course on a few days every week, which is good. Not sure what routing though obviously.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Hi Jeff,


Yes I’ve been there a few times recently and it’s been heartwarming to see there is a new greenkeeper who has brought the conditioning up to a standard where the composite course can be played in its intended routing… They used it recently for the Irish PGA championship.


There are things still to be done to get this routing flowing properly: Carne are still trying to buy a corner of land behind the old Hackett 12th / Kilmore 4th that will separate these holes properly and take away some confusion as they cross…. Whilst Fergus has been concentrating on fairways and greens, the roughs are still heavy and access and egress paths need to be developed to make flow more natural… mowing lines on greens and fairways need pushed out again…


We are currently planning some fairly major works to completely redesign and rebuild the first tees for all three nines along with enlarging the practice putting green. This is firstly to make the logistics work better. But also that area is very ugly and needs to be softened and made look more natural.

[Jeff Johnston]

Thanks Ally, that is all v good to hear. I need to revisit down there soon.


As an aside, I was taken aback to read in Gerry’s blog that (as at March 2020) the club had a mere 40 full local members - even allowing for the location that seems a low number. Hopefully they may have had the Covid member uplift seen around a lot of clubs in Ireland and further afield.

[Ally Mcintosh]

We are currently planning some fairly major works to completely redesign and rebuild the first tees for all three nines along with enlarging the practice putting green. This is firstly to make the logistics work better. But also that area is very ugly and needs to be softened and made look more natural.

We have just completed this work over the last 4 weeks. It was a fairly major job and it’s been very encouraging that Carne decided to invest in this to get it done in a proper manner.


Hopefully this is the start of us being able to drive on through the next few winters to tidy up the loose ends and make the final changes that have been on the long finger for eight years.

[Ira Fishman]

Ally,


Congrats. We needed to delay our next trip to Ireland until 2024 so we hope that means a visit to Carne will work out then.


Ira

[Joe_Tucholski]

We are currently planning some fairly major works to completely redesign and rebuild the first tees for all three nines along with enlarging the practice putting green. This is firstly to make the logistics work better. But also that area is very ugly and needs to be softened and made look more natural.

Ally what was done?  Did you guys bring in a lot of soil to expand the putting green?  The only place I can envision expanding is south kind of behind the 9th/18th (a hole I've gone long on multiple occasions).


Also how did the tees get re-designed at the start.  The 2 sets of tees for 3 different holes was pretty weird.  Definitely saw people play up 13 from Wild Atlantic when they should have been playing the dogleg right for 10 on Hacket and vice versa.  Standing on any of the tees near the pro shop I wouldn't blame someone for playing the wrong fairway.

[Ally Mcintosh]

We are currently planning some fairly major works to completely redesign and rebuild the first tees for all three nines along with enlarging the practice putting green. This is firstly to make the logistics work better. But also that area is very ugly and needs to be softened and made look more natural.

Ally what was done?  Did you guys bring in a lot of soil to expand the putting green?  The only place I can envision expanding is south kind of behind the 9th/18th (a hole I've gone long on multiple occasions).


Also how did the tees get re-designed at the start.  The 2 sets of tees for 3 different holes was pretty weird.  Definitely saw people play up 13 from Wild Atlantic when they should have been playing the dogleg right for 10 on Hacket and vice versa.  Standing on any of the tees near the pro shop I wouldn't blame someone for playing the wrong fairway.

Hi Joe,


Yes, I took a lot of sand in from the corner of the 13th Wild Atlantic Dunes (1st Kilmore). It was very tight and unattractive where it broke through the main dune ridge so I’ve long been wanting to widen and re-shape that area.


The whole practice green area has been raised by 2m and more where we’ve filled in to the tee area. The green is now 850m2 which is tripled in size from the previous iteration. The green now bleeds directly on to a far enlarged first tee (used to be 10th tee) for both courses. Path network has completely changed (and been reduced) to make logistics better. Other two tees are combined on a single dune to make them far more attractive but they are obviously separated from a playing perspective and are entered from different sides.


The one thing that could not be changed is you still essentially have three tees getting to the fairways over two paths.


But the club are now promoting the Wild Atlantic Dunes course and alternate it with the Hackett course every other day. Aim is to keep people there overnight and have them play two days. The Kilmore name will be retired.


Working on signage at the moment.

[Joe_Tucholski]

The whole practice green area has been raised by 2m and more where we’ve filled in to the tee area. The green is now 850m2 which is tripled in size from the previous iteration. The green now bleeds directly on to a far enlarged first tee (used to be 10th tee) for both courses. Path network has completely changed (and been reduced) to make logistics better. Other two tees are combined on a single dune to make them far more attractive but they are obviously separated from a playing perspective and are entered from different sides.

Ah wow so raised the entire practice green out of the low area it was in.  Should be nice. 

Something that Fergus mentioned the last time I visited was changes to the 5th, as the tee would get washed out in the winter.  It's a pretty great spot on the course.  Any changes there or are you primarily involved with the Kilmore/newer Wild Atlantic holes?

My flight out to Ireland for our summer 2023 trip was essentially canceled a couple days ago and we rearranged our plans this morning so Carne is on my mind.

[Ally Mcintosh]

The whole practice green area has been raised by 2m and more where we’ve filled in to the tee area. The green is now 850m2 which is tripled in size from the previous iteration. The green now bleeds directly on to a far enlarged first tee (used to be 10th tee) for both courses. Path network has completely changed (and been reduced) to make logistics better. Other two tees are combined on a single dune to make them far more attractive but they are obviously separated from a playing perspective and are entered from different sides.

Ah wow so raised the entire practice green out of the low area it was in.  Should be nice. 

Something that Fergus mentioned the last time I visited was changes to the 5th, as the tee would get washed out in the winter.  It's a pretty great spot on the course.  Any changes there or are you primarily involved with the Kilmore/newer Wild Atlantic holes?

My flight out to Ireland for our summer 2023 trip was essentially canceled a couple days ago and we rearranged our plans this morning so Carne is on my mind.

Joe, I’ve plans to tidy up the entire 27 although primary concentration will be on the Dunes 18.


As you reference above, the club are keen to give an alternative option for the par-3 5th (old 14th) due to winter damage. I have designed a completely new hole down in that area which has a lot of positives but also one or two negatives. If it is up to me, I’ll be pushing that work way down on the priority list. I don’t see it as necessary and there are plenty of other - generally smaller - works that need dealt with first.