Woodbrook again a test for the best

Woodbrook's recognition that it was in danger of remaining in a time warp - and living on the memory of days when it pioneered professional tournament golf in this country - has resulted in its successful transformation from a somewhat outdated course into one worthy of championship status again.

Designer Peter McEvoy, who undertook the reconstruction of the course (which staged the Carrolls International on ten occasions from 1963 and played host to the revived Irish Open in 1975), is convinced it is again capable of testing the top professionals. Indeed, Woodbrook officials are keen to attract a tournament, possibly involving seniors who graced the course in their playing heyday. Financial considerations mean that the Irish Open itself is unlikely to return to the course, but the Irish PGA championship is another possibility for the venue.

"I was asked to prepare Woodbrook as a championship course and that is what I have done," commented McEvoy on a recent visit. "All the great championship courses are not necessarily about length but are really about pin positions on the greens. This philosophy played a major role in the redesign."

More than 200 yards has been added to the length of the course - with additional championship tees to the fourth and seventh holes - and three new holes (the sixth, ninth and 13th) have been brought into play. Additionally, McEvoy, a five-time Walker Cup player, has altered the fifth, eighth and 12th holes.

McEvoy's touch is particularly noticeable around the greens, which have shed the flat pancakelike appearance of old and are now comparable to the designs of modern-day parkland courses.

Woodbrook's reconstruction was made possible by the generous financial assistance of Patricia Martin, wife of former captain George, and has been ongoing for much of the past two years. A mandatory soft spikes policy has helped considerably in the conditioning of the new greens. The course has been playable since July, and will be fully operational next March, which is in line with the original schedule. "It has been a great team effort over the past three years," said club captain Dermot Pierce. "We believe visitors will find it challenging but enjoyable." Certainly, the initiative of the club members has been rewarded with a course, and upgraded clubhouse, which is worthy of Woodbrook's tradition in Irish golf.

Meanwhile, Ireland's women golfers have been given an incentive to keep in a competitive frame of mind over the winter months.

Buoyed by the success of the inaugural Ford Ladies Strokeplay Championship which attracted 5,733 participants this year, the organisers are offering a boet of Moet Chandon champagne to anyone who records the scores 57-3-3 in sequence between now and May 23rd. The scores (gross) must be attained in competition on an ILGU affiliated course and the scorecard signed by the club's honorary secretary. In addition, those achieving the feat will be entered into a draw for a round for two at Druids Glen in the company of professional Ciaran Monaghan.

"At a time of year when golfing activity is at a low ebb, we thought it would be nice to say thank you to all the participants in this year's championship by involving them in a unique challenge," explained Ken Galvin, marketing director of Ford Ireland.

Some players can go a lifetime without getting close to a hole-inone . . . but Ballybofey and Stranorlar member Sean O'Donnell has discovered the secret.

At the weekend, O'Donnell scored his second ace of the season at the par three 17th hole. O'Donnell "went two inches down the grip with a seven iron" to achieve his feat and has set himself the target of making a hattrick before the year is out. Only 15 days to go.