The evolution at Ireland's most feared and revered golf course

The European Club was a course that suited the low-handicap golfer. The links could, usually did, and took great pleasure in beating you up and it was revered and feared in equal measure. But change is at hand

Beautiful Brittas: Looking out over the 13th at the old European Club. Kevin Markham feature

NO ONE would deny that what Pat Ruddy created at the European Club was a one-man odyssey of imagination and individuality. Anyone who has played it will remember it for its freedom, its character and its challenges. And no one forgets those bunkers. It was unique, the brainchild of a man with no formal architectural training who implemented a completely personal vision of how a modern links golf course could look and play. It looked fabulous; it played hard.

The European Club opened in 1987 and quickly found its place in links folklore. It became a bucket list destination, one where you knew you might be in for a beating. I played it many times, chalking up my worst ever round of golf. Losing 13 balls is the sort of penalty that burns a spot in your brain which can never be erased. And still I loved it.