GIVEN that the Scottish coastline is dotted with some of the world's finest links, the choice of Moray as the host venue for this year's Home Internationals - in which England will be seeking a fourth successive title - may, at first inspection, seem a little strange.
For starters, the RAF Base at Lossiemouth is adjacent to the course and, at its most eastern point, landing lights actually criss-cross a number of holes. In practice yesterday, players were regularly forced to put bands to ears, a la ear muffs, to smother out the noise of the jets. However, airforce officials have promised to scale down operations to "essential flights" for the tournament's duration.
Thankfully, a gentle north-easterly wind wafted in from the North Sea to dilute the jet fumes and that same wind will also be necessary to add some teeth to a course which, by modern championship standards, is quite short at just 6,685 yards. Birdies rather than bogeys are likely to be dominant when play commences today.
Such will almost certainly be the case if yesterday's practice feats are repeated: a number of players drove through the green at the 359-yard par four 16th; reduced the the 515-yard par five 17th to a drive and a six iron, and were left with nothing more than a half-wedge approach to the 423-yard par four 18th.
Still, Jody Fanagan, one of two competitors here who were in last year's successful Walker Cup team (Scotland's Barclay Howard is the other) believes the course will still present a fair test. "The greens are especially good, excellent pace and quality," he said. "The noise can be a bit distracting at times, but hopefully things won't quite be as bad during the championship."
And English captain Peter McEvoy, an acknowledged golf course architect of some note said: "It is nearly a great course, but it could possibly do with an extra 200 yards or so.
Since the Irish team arrived at the course, some 40 miles west of Inverness, on Sunday evening, conditions have been kind, although the locals insist things will change if the prevailing westerly wind whips up, making the finishing stretch in particular far more challenging.
Ireland open their campaign today against hosts Scotland, while holders England face Wales. Irish captain Frankie McCarroll has left out Adrian Morrow from this morning's foursomes and omitted Brian Omelia from the afternoon singles. "I'm happy with our preparations and with the way things have gone in practice, hopefully we can do well when the pressure is on," said McCarroll.
A win over Scotland, however, is vital. The European champions, have been badly hit by defections to the paid ranks over the past 12 months and have just one survivor - veteran Howard - from that successful team.
"It would be nice to win and end England's recent dominance," said Fanagan, a Walker Cup teammate of Howard's at Royal Portcawl last September. And it is a touch ironic that Fanagan will, in fact, come face-to-face with Howard in the singles.
In this format, however, the foursomes are very important and McCarroll has paired international debutants Noel Fox, the East of Ireland champion, and Michael McGinley, the North of Ireland champion, with players who have sampled Home International competition previously. Fox partners Irish Close champion Peter Lawrie against Steven Young and Simon Mackenzie, while McGinley is paired with Fanagan against Craig Watson and Ewan Forbes.
Former Walker Cup player McGimpsey - "I rate this Irish team very highly," he said - and Keith Nolan, who was part of the successful British and Irish St Andrews Cup winning team over the continent of Europe last week, are paired in the top match against Howard and Michael Brooks, the Scottish champion.
Ireland's last win in the championship was recorded in 1992, a sequence which gave them three wins in succession. Since then, England have proven to be the king-pins. Scotland have got to go back to 1986 for their last success and there is much contention locally about the omission of Graham Rankin, another of last year's Walker Cup side, who fell out with the Scottish selectors.
Such internal conflict, however can sometimes inspire a team - and McCarroll has kept his man focussed on the job at hand. "The simple fact is that we must overcome Scotland to give ourselves a chance of outright victory. That is our first target," he said. Home territory can also be a bonus to Scotland and Dr George Gormley, the President of the Scottish Golf Union and a member of Moray (and mainly responsible for bringing the championship here), would savour a local win.
The Welsh also have some Scottish blood in their side. Adam Campbell, a runner-up in the Scottish boys' championship three years ago, declared for Wales this year under the parentage rule - his mother hails from the principality - and will make his debut in today's clash with England, whose strength in depth should ensure they overcome the first hurdle in defence of their crown.
