Ballybunion weathers the sandstorm
Due to freak weather conditions earlier this year, a number of the sea-facing holes and greens — including the famed 11th — were rendered unplayable by huge amounts of sand blown in by Atlantic gales.
Play on both the Old and Cashen courses has been restricted, with some holes out of play and others operating with temporary greens.
Club Secretary/Manager Jim McKenna said greenkeeping staff has been working furiously to repair the damage. And he remained confident that all the issues will be resolved within the next six weeks.
Said McKenna: “We suffered severe weather damage, predominantly along our seashore side, in January and February. Fierce gales blew in huge amounts of sand. As a result things were a lot slower to heal up. I’d estimate this has set us back about a month.”
He outlined the course of remedial action taken: “We had to get the sand off, resod in a couple of places and use some protective coverings. Usually when you come to the spring nature takes care of things. This time there was a lot more maintenance required.
“I am just off the course,” he said yesterday, “and there is a noticeable improvement.”
McKenna admits Ballybunion has experienced some unusual weather variations over the past six months. “Amazingly, we had no frost of any description while the winds and rains were the worst we had in ten years. The seas were also noticeably rougher.
“Whether it is part of global warming, I don’t know but the signs are certainly there that the weather is changing.”
Though a number of competitions were cancelled due to the work, McKenna insisted the damage did not have any financial implications nor impact on green fees.
BALLYBUNION GREEN FEES April 1-30: (Old Course) €100; (Cashen Course) €65; (Both) €165*
May 1st-Oct 31st: (Old Course) €165 ; (Cashen Course) €110; (Both) €240*
*Only a very smallnumber of ‘Both Courses’ times are available at thediscounted rate.
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