Ballybunion mixes the Old with the new
BALLYBUNION celebrates its 125th anniversary this year with the new 18th green on the Old Course officially opening on April 1.
The once troublesome green at the 382-yard par-four is now fully visible from the fairway, offering more pin positions and run-offs to challenge ordinary mortals as well as the game’s elite.
The 18th hole project was managed by course manager John Bambury, who believes the changes will allow the 18th hole to realise “its full potential”, offering a new challenge to the top women in the amateur game when the club hosts the Ladies Home Internationals in August.
“We’ve done a lot of work over the last few years on what is obviously an iconic venue,” Bambury said. “But like all iconic venues, you still have to look to the future.”
In 2016, all the greens were renovated and are now 100 percent native fescue while the surrounds and approaches were refined to create greater “bump and run” conditions.
As part of the project, no fewer than 38 sand-faced bunkers were revetted and 30,000 sq. m. of green surrounds re-turfed.
Significant design changes were also made to the seventh and eighth holes and those who visit Ballybunion on April 1 can learn all about the club when the Ivan Morris’ updated history, “125 years of golf at Ballybunion” (inset) will be officially launched.