Critique of the K Club

Madam, - What a nasty piece of hatchet journalism from a so- called former investigative reporter that was published in the sports…

Madam, - What a nasty piece of hatchet journalism from a so- called former investigative reporter that was published in the sports section on Tuesday.

The Ryder Cup would never have come to Ireland in the first place if not for Dr Michael Smurfit and his vision and, yes, money.

What goldilocks world does Bruce Selcraig live in? Like it or not, golf is an extremely commercial sport and Dr Smurfit stepped up and procured the Ryder Cup for all golfers here in Ireland.

As a proud member of the K Club I find Mr Selcraig's criticisms of the course laughable. Just because he took a vow of poverty by becoming a journalist does not mean the rest of us had to.

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By the way, if there were only Mercedes in the car park it must have been ladies' day or children's day. On a men's day it would have been Bentleys and Aston Martins.

The course itself is an outstanding test of golf, which will challenge the great players who will compete here in September. The entire complex itself, from hotel, golf courses, spa, practice facilities and staff are world class and a source of great pride to our members as well as the golf community at large here in Ireland. I hope Mr Selcraig comes along to the Ryder Cup and understands just how wrong he is in his over the top, personal and gratuitous criticisms.

Frankly, I could go on and on with a rebuttal of Mr Selcraig's points but I have better things to do, such as playing golf on my fabulous courses. - Yours, etc,

MATT DOYLE, Ladycastle, Straffan, Co Kildare.

Madam, - Bruce Selcraig's article on the K Club has hit the nail on the head when he mentions that the K Club, its "major-domo" and the "regal hosting of the Ryder Cup" symbolise nearly all that is rotten about modern golf. Do they also symbolise what is rotten in modern Irish society? - Yours, etc,

PAUL WILLIAMS, Hermitage Grove, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

Madam, - Today's (June 20th) critique of The K Club and its owner by Bruce Selcraig in your golf pages was a breath of fresh air. What a contrast between it and the usual forelock-tugging, cheerleading drivel that passes for golf journalism in the Irish media (with the honourable exception of Colin Byrne's column). More please! - Yours, etc,

JAMES MURRAY, Castleknock, Dublin 15.