Baltray to be extended 100 yards for Open

FOLLOWING consultation with David Probyn, tournament director of the PGA European Tour, Tom MacKenzie of the Donald Steel design team and local member Des Smyth, it has been agreed that the Baltray links will play to more than 7,050 yards with a par of 72 for next July’s Nissan Irish Open.

The huge number who believe the championship should always take place on a links have been delighted with the move to Baltray, a lay-out representing all that is good about golf by the sea.

When the wind blows, it can be a fearsome proposition, yet, like all links, it is vulnerable when the weather is calm and placid.