Belvelly course tough challenge, says Morris

FOTA ISLAND’S Belvelly course can offer EuroPro Tour golfers a very good test when the Audi Cork Irish Masters gets underway at the resort tomorrow, says director of golf Kevin Morris.

The par-72 Belvelly Course comprises the newly-matured nine holes which opened in 2007 and the original back nine which was renovated ahead of the 2001 and 2002 Irish Open and both Morris and Fota Island captains Mary O’Leary and Peter Coughlan believe the 7,121-yard Jeff Howes layout is going to provide thrills and spills over three rounds this week.

“They can expect a very good test of golf with plenty of par-fives so it’s got lots of good scoring opportunities,” Morris said.

“If you play it in its original layout, which is starting at the old 10th, you’ve got a par five on your ninth hole, 10th hole, 11th hole and 13th hole, so you’ve got a chance to really get a score going or ruin yourself, one or the other.

“For the tournament, we’re going to play it in reverse so as to finish it here in front of the clubhouse. And that’s a great tournament finishing hole because it’s a short par-five, where somebody can make three but also take seven or eight very easily. It’s a big plus.”

That tough four-hole stretch, in the middle of the round for the EuroPro Tour players, will capture the imagination, says Coughlan.

“Those four holes are definitely the most difficult of the 27. There’s a par five, two par threes and a par four surrounded by water, hazards everywhere. After those four holes, Belvelly opens up and there’s room to be opening the shoulders. But those holes will cause problems.”

“The 10th hole is a tight hole,” adds lady captain O’Leary. “If you go left you’re gone, go right you’re out of bounds. It’s a real test.”