PORTMARNOCK has retained its position as Ireland's premier course in the latest poll conducted by the Irish Golf Institute. Indeed, the top eight placings are the same as the last rankings in 1995 and only Druids Glen, venue of the Irish Open last year, has managed to break into the top 10, at number nine.

The lack of change at the top (with Rosses Point the only course to slip out of the top 10, from 10th to 13th), however, is in marked contrast to lower down the listings. In all, there are six newcomers to the top 30: Druids Glen (9th), Portmarnock Links (14th), Rathsallagh (25th), Luttrellstown Castle (26th), Enniscrone (29th) and Fota Island (30th). The courses to drop out are Tramore, Belvoir Park, Galway Bay, Castlerock, Ballybunion (New) and Hermitage.

It is interesting to note that modern golf course architecture continues to make a major impact. Ten of the so called "new wave" of developments of the 1980s and 1990s have forced their way into the country's elite: The European Club (6th), Mount Juliet (7th), Druids Glen (9th), The K Club (10th), Portmarnock Links (14th), St Margaret's (21st), Slieve Russell (24th), Rathsallagh (25th), Luttrellstown Castle (26th) and Fota Island (30th).

Intriguingly, none of the newer courses constructed in Northern Ireland has yet managed to make the breakthrough.

Portmarnock, which plays host to the European Amateur Team Championships in July, has been venue for the Irish Open on 18 occasions, most recently 1990, the World Cup in 1960 and the Walker Cup in 1991.

. Nine of Ireland's European Tour cardholders have committee to competing in the inaugural Quinn Direct PGA Charity Trophy at the Slieve Russell on May 19th-20th.

Padraig Harrington, Philip Walton, Raymond Burns, David Higgins, Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth, Christy O'Connor Jnr, Francis Howley and John McHenry have entered the event, which carries a top prize of £8,000. Darren Clarke, however, is unavailable as he will be competing in the European qualifying round of the Andersen Consulting World Championship at The Buckinghamshire, near London.

In addition to the £50,000 prize fund, the sponsors have also pledged £20,0 to two charities.