February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
“The program of work began in autumn 2003 with the remodeling of both the third and seventh holes and the work was completed early in 2004,” Paul Crowe, director of golf at the K Club said. “Since then the program has seen the construction of new professional tees on both the fourth and 16th holes and bunkering works on the first, fourth, 11th and 18th. From here on the emphasis will be on presentation and conditioning to ensure the course is at its very best in 2006.”
Everything will be in readiness for the Smurfit European Open in June this year when Ryder Cup captains Ian Woosnam and Tom Lehman will have an opportunity to see the Palmer Course in full tournament set for the last time before the U.S. and Europe do battle there in 2006.
“Ian Woosnam knows the K Club like the back of his hand and we are looking forward to getting his views on the way he would like to see it for the Ryder Cup,” Crowe said.
Ireland’s Darren Clarke will not play in the June competition as he’s committed to his sponsors Barclays to play in a PGA tour event the week before and the Scottish Open the week after the European Open. Clarke, the only Irish winner of the Smurfit event, said he will write a personal letter to Dr. Michael Smurfit to explain his absence.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods has confirmed that he will play in the J.P. McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor in County Limerick from July 4 and 5. The recently crowned Masters champion will be joined by Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Colin Montgomerie, Ian Poulter, Mark O’Meara and Fred Couples. The event has in the past raised