Historic home destined for starring role in golf's future

FIRST impressions can be deceptive but in this case I'm pretty sure I have just come across a complex destined to play a major part in Irish golfing life for some time to come.

Carton House has been a significant historic part of Co Kildare for several centuries. Queen Victoria came there for rest and relaxation. Now it's the home of a delightful new golf course designed by dual major winner Mark O'Meara.

In some 15 months or so, another course, this time the handiwork of Colin Montgomerie, comes on stream with every probability of becoming one of the game's great "inland links" in similar mould to Royal Melbourne in Australia and more recently the Nick Faldo creation at the Sporting Club of Berlin.