FEATURE: Brian Keoghtook a trip down memory lane when he visited Marlay Park and its redesigned par-three course

WHEN CARR Golf Services called to say that the nine-hole par-three at Marlay Park on Dublin’s southside had been totally redesigned – complete with synthetic tees and greens – I was immediately transported on a glorious trip down memory lane.

Before progressing to the five-speed racing bicycle, childhood happiness in the late 1970s and early 1980s was measured in the number of miles you could pedal without mangling another pair of trousers in the chain of the aesthetically impressive but otherwise temperamental Raleigh Chopper.

As an enthusiastic but wildly dangerous right full back for schoolboy side Leicester Celtic, I became a budding Seán Kelly as I made the uphill, four-mile cycle from my family home in Templeogue to Marlay’s 300 acres before being transformed into a cross between Norman Hunter and scythe.

It wasn’t long before I discovered the joys of Marlay Park’s public, par-three golf course and the soccer gear was soon replaced by the pencil golf bag and twice-weekly trips to a small piece of golfing heaven, sandwiched between the well-known golfing enclaves of Rathfarnham, Grange, Edmondstown and Stackstown.

Thirty years later, the configuration of all nine holes was still fresh in my mind, especially the finishing hole: an uphill, 200-plus-yards slog flanked on either side by the kind of undergrowth one normally associates with movies such as Apocalypse Now or Platoon.

Marlay’s bushes showed no respect whatsoever for golf balls; indiscriminately swallowing up scruffy Penfold Commandos and the occasional, freshly-peeled Dunlop 65, some of which are still there today.

Only once did I manage to crack a Sunday best, Clery’s three-wood onto the front of the ninth before freewheeling happily home down Whitechurch Lane, past the dog that chased cars and bikes with equal enthusiasm.

It was a route that took me along Ballyroan Road and past the home of a future, three-time major winner. Indeed, Pádraig Harrington once knew the par-three at Marlay as well as Carnoustie or Augusta for it was there that he took his mother Breda for secret lessons when she was taking her first steps in the game.

Not any more. If he were to return to Marlay today, Harrington would be amazed by the transformation that has taken place following a €500,000 redevelopment project by Carr Golf Services on behalf of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

The old course closed in 2006 but it reopens today and those familiar with the previous incarnation will recognise nothing but the magnificent, panoramic views that make it an idyllic location for a nine-hole spin that won’t take much more than an hour.

Not only has the routing changed completely (most holes now play downhill instead of up), but state of the art technology and the latest generation of synthetic grasses have been used to create its greens and tees, making it playable all year round. Thanks to the installation of 20,000 metres of gravel slits, 3,600 metres of perforated drainage pipe, 63 catch basins and two lakes, it will never close due to frost or water-logging. In short, it’s Irelands first, all-weather golf course and it is so good that one can safely predict it will become extremely popular, especially in winter.

“We were involved in managing it up until 2006 and towards the end of its previous life, the course wasn’t in great condition and the clubhouse had deteriorated dramatically,” explains Ed Pettit, commercial director of Carr Golf Services which won the contract to build and manage the new course.

“In October 2006, the council agreed to close the course with a view to redeveloping it. It’s orientated towards families so we came up with the idea of going with synthetic surfaces to make sure we had good playing conditions all year round, avoiding the maintenance issues that were affecting the course.

“We created different sets of tees so that experienced golfers could come down and get a good test of golf. But we also wanted kids and families to be able to enjoy the game too.”

Golf course architect Ron Kirby, who has worked with Carr Golf in the construction of courses like the Old Head of Kinsale and Dromoland Castle, was called in to help plan the new routing and design generous, undulating green complexes that will run at a lightning fast 10.5 on the stimpmeter, similar to most European Tour venues.

“They are third generation synthetic surfaces” Pettit explains. “We did a lot of testing before signing off on the concept and the supplier because we wanted to make sure the receptiveness matched what you would expect from a normal green.

“They are built like a standard green in terms of the hardcore base but instead of putting in the root zone and seed, we put down a foam layer which acts as a cushion, followed by the synthetic surface, which was then filled with a high density silica sand to make it more absorbent to incoming shots.”

The entire facility will be manicured by Golf Course Maintenance Services (GCMS) – a joint venture between Carr Golf and Bishopscourt Investments – under the watchful eye of Gerry Byrne, the head greenkeeper at The K Club.

“I can’t believe how good it is,” says Byrne after a quick, Saturday afternoon round with his children. “The contouring is fantastic and I’d say that at least six of these par threes would sit well on any course in the country.

“The concept of all-weather tees and greens is perfect because we are in a prime location for winter golf, particularly after the last winter, which was the coldest we’ve had for 47 years.”

Each hole has three sets of tees, named in honour of the former owners of the Marlay Estate – La Touche, Tedcastle and Love – with the downhill first offering a perfect example of the treat that lies in store. Measuring 163 yards from the back markers (147 yards from the middle and 124 yards from the front), it’s only the index-five hole. Tougher challenges lies ahead, such as the index one hole fifth, which plays 162 yards uphill.

Paths have been installed around the entire course and the gentle climb up the fifth is well worth it because the signature sixth is simply stunning as it tumbles 155 yards to a green perched tantalisingly beyond a shimmering lake to a backdrop of rich, woodland colour.

“It was important that the golf course would be as strong as possible for regular golfers,” adds Pettit. “We will have two or three PGA professionals on the staff and a lot of time will be dedicated to junior coaching.

“We have a putting course where the temporary clubhouse now stands. But when the new clubhouse is up and running next February or March, we plan to build a netted practice area with three or four state-of-the-art nets.

“We are also toying with the idea of using two or three holes from the golf course at off-peak times and using the synthetic mats to create a driving range, for want of a better word. Instead of having nine holes, we could use three holes and visitors would then play two loops of six.”

The course also features strategically-placed bunkers that are as good as anything you will find at the best courses in the land as well as a generous practice putting green and a nine hole, putting course (Adventure Golf).

The greens and tees might be artificial but this is the real deal and well worth a visit.

Marlay Golf Course, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham http://www.marlaygolfcourse.com

Rates – Adult Midweek: nine holes €10; 18 holes €13; Adult weekend: nine holes €13, 18 holes €18.

Junior (up to 18): €7 and €11; €8 and €12. Family of 4 €25 and €35; €30 and €40*

*Afternoon Sat Sun.

Adventure Golf (putting course): €3 (with own clubs). €1 club hire.