Heritage a hit with the stars

GOOD enough to stage any event — even the Ryder Cup. That was Sam Torrance’s considered view about the Seve Ballesteros designed Heritage course yesterday, after he opened the AIB Irish Seniors Open with a four under par 68 in blustery and often showery conditions.

When a man of Torrance's experience speaks on such a subject, it's as well to pay full attention.

"When I arrived on the first tee, I thought, 'I wouldn't mind putting on this,'" he declared. "I haven't seen such a well conditioned golf course and as the years go by, it will be capable of hosting any kind of tournament, the Ryder Cup, anything."

Christy O'Connor Junior, himself a successful golf course architect, said: "For condition, I'd give it 12 out of 10."

Des Smyth strengthened Torrance's comments by adding: "The great thing about this course is that you can practice your putting on the tees."

All of which will come as sweet music to the ears of owner Tommy Keane, course superintendent Anthony Fitzpatrick and the Heritage staff.

First round leader is the 59 year-old Englishman Jim Rhodes, who shot a five under par 67, a fine effort highlighted by a forty-foot putt from just off the front of the driveable 11th for an eagle two and a holed bunker shot for birdie on the 18th. Rhodes is the current holder of the Jersey Classic next week's event on the circuit.

Paul Leonard from Fintona celebrated his 60th birthday last month and he and Cork's Denis O'Sullivan birdied the 18th to get in on one under par and lead the home challenge.

O'Sullivan, winner of the season opener in Barbados back in March, came into the Irish Open in third place in the order of merit behind Frenchman Gery Watine and Luis Carbonetti from Argentina, with 34,219 to his credit.

"I hit one awful shot, at the 4th, and that was one of a couple of bogeys at the start of the round," he said. "I settled nicely after that and got those shots back with birdies at the 8th and 10th. A lot of solid pars followed before the 18th where I hit a 3 wood, 8 iron to twelve feet and sank the putt for birdie. It was a very nice way to finish and at this stage I am very much in the tournament and playing nicely. I'm reasonably confident."

Eamonn Darcy, pipped in a play-off in Venice two weeks ago by Watine, got off to a great start with a birdie at the 1st before faltering in the approach to the turn as he dropped shots at the 8th and 9th. He got one back at the long 10th and then parred his way home for even par 72.

That was one better that Liam Higgins, Eddie Polland and Des Smyth, the man who has won twice on the Seniors Tour in the US this year and was 6th in the US PGA last week.

Christy O'Connor Junior reported how he hit the ball well off the tee but struggled badly with the putter; not surprising, perhaps, given how little competitive golf he has played in recent times. Indeed, this was his first competitive appearance of the season. Adrian Morrow is best of the amateurs after a 74. Limerick's Dermot Morris shot 77 and Arthur Pierse, who had an eight at the 8th, took 80.