Donabate's day

Sunday next will be a special day at Donabate Golf Club when the work carried out in recent years comes to fruition with the opening of their new 27hole lay-out. The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, will perform the official opening at 11.00 a.m. This year also sees Donabate celebrate their 75th anniversary. Founded in 1925 on the site of what is now Corballis Golf Links they moved a half-a-mile inland in 1939 and through the purchase and leasing of land played golf on their 18 holes parkland course through to 1997. In 1992 they purchased some 30 acres on the east side of the course on which five holes were constructed and in 1996 another 30 acres were acquired - 17 on the north west which accommodate three holes and 13 on the south side for another two holes. Added to the original 18 this actually makes 28 holes but next week 27 holes will be in play giving three nines with a par of 36 each. The next move for this progressive North Dublin club is the construction of a new clubhouse and plans are well advanced for this project.