After 32 years, Eddie Hackett's first significant undertaking as a golf course architect, is set to be tested by tournament professionals. It will happen when the Donegal Irish Women's Open is staged at Letterkenny GC, starting on Thursday.
Though Letterkenny was founded in 1913, it was 1967 before it moved from a nine-hole course at Crievesmith to its present, 18-hole set-up at Barnhill. And Hackett, who would later be responsible for the much-acclaimed Murvagh Links at Donegal Town, was given the design brief.
In view of the considerable support which the Minister for Tourism, Recreation and Sport has lent the project, it is interesting to note that golf was played at Letterkenny as far back as 1894. And in Bill Gibson's Early Irish Golf, we are informed that the pioneers were a group of local businessmen who set forth from "McDaid's old lodge and going across into the Fort Field. . . ."
One can anticipate a considerably stronger standard from a field of 120 which includes former world number one, Laura Davies, who has been a tremendous supporter of this event. Victorious at St Margaret's in 1994 and 1995, Davies also played last year when she was tied sixth behind Sweden's Sophie Gustafsson.
Staged on the outstanding Glashedy Links at Ballyliffin, the tournament fell foul of gale-force winds gusting up to 60 mph. With balls moving on the greens, there was no option other than to effectively reduce the tournament to 54 holes, while deciding the winner in sudden-death between Gustafsson and the gifted Dane, Iben Tinning.
It was also notable for a fine performance from Ireland's Aideen Rogers, who shot fine rounds of 73, 76 and 71 for fourth place and a cheque for £4,664. All of these participants will again be in action.
Another notable is the 1996 champion, Alison Nicholas, who went on to gain a splendid victory in the US Women's Open after a tremendous duel with the great Nancy Lopez. Europe's Solheim Cup captain Dale Reid will also be in action along with her vice-captain, Pamela Wright.
Though six places were allotted to Irish amateurs, only four have taken up the invitation, which is rather disappointing. They are: Daragh McGowan (Ballybofey), Caroline Smyth (Massereene), Niamh Quigg (City of Derry) and Deirdre Smith (Co Louth).
The total prize fund is £100,000 and the week's activities start with a pro-am tomorrow in which 46 teams will be competing.
This is the sixth staging of an event which had its beginnings in a modest, one-day tournament at Woodbrook, sponsored by Ford in 1993. Crucially, that particular exercise was won by Davies who was prevailed upon to return.
So it was that the tournament proper was launched at St Margaret's in 1994 when Davies had a record-breaking victory. She retained at the same venue the following year, before it moved to CityWest where Nicholas triumphed. And from there it went to Luttrellstown Castle in 1997.
Davies departed Ballyliffin with a modest £2,580 last year. One suspects she will have her eyes on more substantial pickings this time around.
