The members at Oughterard will have a first chance to play their new course when the Captain's (Michael Lee) and Lady Captain's (Maire Ni Mhaille) Prizes are contested next month. For well over a year they have had to settle for a temporary nine holes as the main course was extensively remodelled to a design by Paddy Merrigan. The new sand-based tees and greens are ready and waiting but the wet conditions last year delayed progress with other areas of the course. Among the new features are several lakes which will come into play at the seventh and also the ninth, 10th and 11th, which could become the Amen Corner of the West!

The temporary nine will be in use again for the winter before the full course is officially opened next season.