The Island worth visiting

In the current issue of Delta's in-flight magazine, Sky, there are some fascinating observations on The Island GC. Among other things, an American writer describes it as "the greatest golf course in the world you've never seen". The club would probably prefer the phrasing to be a little different, but I think we can get his drift.

Naturally, The Island has long been known to us as an delightful links with enviable greens. But having heard some frightening reports from competitors in the recent Pat Kenny Celeb-Am there, albeit on a hostile day, another visit was clearly in order.

And it's true: the once gentle frame of this north Dublin layout has developed some very impressive muscles, to the extent that it now measures 6,857 yards off the back tees for a par of 71. The latest additions are the new 10th and 11th holes, designed by Jeff Howes and in play for the last two months.

Howes has done lovely work on the 543-yard 10th, especially in his shaping and siting of a new green, 30 yards to the right. Its dominant feature is a cavernous bunker, deeper even that the fearsome Road Hole Bunker which guards the front of the 17th at St Andrews.

Next comes a new, 441-yard 11th, a decidedly muscular replacement for the old, 308-yard hole which carried an 18 index. With a dog-leg right configuration accentuating its length, the hole culminates in a devilish tricky green which Howes, quite correctly, decided was not in need of bunkering.

The club's admirer from Delta claims: "Except for Ballybunion's storied topography, The Island's mountainous sand dunes are as dramatic as any golf course on earth . . ." Those who haven't seen it in some time, would do well to have another look.