Carton is Monty’s gem

NO doubt the glorious sunshine had a part to play but Carton House looked an absolute picture yesterday as the stars assembled for the Nissan Irish Open, which starts tomorrow.

The magnificent Co Kildare estate has been transformed into a golfing complex of exquisite luxury with a couple of championship courses designed by Mark O’Meara and Colin Montgomerie, a high quality practice ground of massive proportions and a superb clubhouse that is as aesthetic as it is functional.

Add to the mix the manner in which the European Tour lay out all their tournament locations and you have a venue of which we can all be very proud.