The 114th Irish PGA Championship gets underway at Palmerstown House Estate in County Kildare today and staff at the host venue are in fine-tuning mode as they get set to welcome the top pros of the Irish PGA circuit.
“The golf course is in absolutely perfect condition,” said Palmerstown House’s own Mick O’Shea, one of the 135 who will vie for the coveted title. “Hopefully the weather plays ball now as well and there is a little bit of run on the fairways because it’s a long golf course and it’s going to be playing to its full length as we’ll be off the blue tees all week.”
After three years on the Wild Atlantic Dunes Course at Carne Golf Links, the return to a parkland setting may be welcomed by some of the PGA Pros, but measuring over 7,400 yards off the tips and with water abundant throughout, no respite is offered.
“They’ll probably move the tees around on the 10th [the recently renovated par-3 that is now an island green] so that one won’t play as long and the tees might be moved up on the third, but the 12th will play over 200 yards,” said O’Shea, talking about the par-3 holes, but it is the par-5 holes that are probably the jewel in the Palmerstown House Estate crown.
“They’re real risk and reward par-5s,” O’Shea adds. “If you hit the ball down the fairway then you’ve got a chance of making a ‘three’, but then you could make a seven quite easily if you’re not perfect with your approach shot. And then, with 10 being surrounded by water now instead of sand as it was before, it’s a good chance for a birdie if you hit the green but you can make triple just as easily.
“It’s a good test for the players this week, but then again, as we know, these are the best players in the country. You’ll have the likes of Simon Thornton, Tim Rice, Michael McGeady and loads of others and I’m sure they’ll be putting up good scores.”
And anticipation is reaching fever-pitch levels at the host club as things get underway.
“I for one can’t wait,” said O’Shea. “And it’s the same for everybody here. It’s been 19 years since we had it here and it was Padraig Harrington that won it back in 2005. It’s great to have it back and get the word back out there that Palmerstown is very much alive and kicking.”
Harrington may be the last course winner of the Championship, but defending champion David Higgins is vying with the previous two winners, Damien McGrane and Simon Thornton, to win the race to four titles, with each of the trio a three-time championship winner.
“It’s one of the biggest championships across Great Britain and Ireland,” O’Shea explains, “and the prestige that goes along with it is huge. They did a wonderful job hosting in Carne the last three years so hopefully we can carry on the great work that they’ve done.”
Through no fault of their own, of course, the weather wasn’t particularly kind to Carne and O’Shea hopes that favourable conditions and the proximity to the nation’s capital will bring spectators out in their droves to watch the elite PGA Pros of Ireland do battle. And it’s not just the spectators who are eager to be involved with record tournament entries recorded.
“I think this year there’s been over 160 entries,” O’Shea said, “so there’s a massive waiting list to get in which is great to see. The location is perfect, the golf course is perfect and it all adds up to what will hopefully be a great week and a great championship.”
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