Professionals set to go to extra lengths at Killeen

WHEN Europe’s leading touring professionals show up at the first tee on Killarney Golf & Fishing Club’s Killeen Course in the last week of July, it will not be business as usual.

The opening par-four hole, a dogleg right that skirts around the Lough Leane shoreline, has seen some redevelopment since last year’s tournament, won by England’s Ross Fisher, with head greenkeeper David MacIndoe overseeing the building of a new tee box, making the first some 27 yards longer than the 377 yards it played in 2010.

“What they were doing last year was carrying their tee shots over the top of the fairway bunkers (on the outward corner of the dogleg) and maybe with a touch of fade and across the road to leave maybe an easier shot back into the green,” MacIndoe explained.

“Now we’re hoping they’ll be playing short of the bunkers — it’s 308 yards to the middle of the second bunker — and that will give them a challenging wedge shot into a right-hand (lakeside) pin position. The left-hand pin position will still be relatively easy for them but the right-hand one, they’ll have to take their courage in their hands.

“And if there’s a wee breeze, this hole can be quite challenging. If it’s calm, you’d be disappointed if you take more than a par and you’d be expecting a birdie. The only trouble is, this is the first hole when everybody’s a wee bit twitchy.”

The new tee box placed further back will also enable the tournament to erect a small grandstand behind the first tee and create a better atmosphere on the opening hole.

The players will also appreciate a new practice area which has been built near the Killeen Course.