Last year we were on one of our last nights in Ireland and Carne Managing Director Gerry McGuire approached me and encouraged us to consider Carne Golf Links for a future trip. When it was clear we were headed North from County Clare it made perfect sense to add Carne Golf Links in Belmullet to our list of courses to be played.
Carne was the last course designed by the late Eddie Hackett. We will be playing two other Hackett courses on the trip – Donegal Murvagh and one of the courses at Rosapenna have had his input. It opened in 1993 and is on a great piece of land – with very little of it disturbed during construction.
During my visit I met with course manager Fergus Kearney – newly arrived from County Clare. Fergus is no stranger to TurfNet since he is a regular volunteer at the Irish Open and we’ve enjoyed working with him there in previous years.
Gerry McGuire and GM Fiona Togher were also onsite as the course was preparing for a weekend Pro-Am. The course was in great shape (especially considering Fergus’ small staff by American standards…) and the rolling dunes formed a great backdrop for the round.
Fergus Kearney, Fiona Togher and Gerry McGuire.
Carne is a bit more remote than some courses in Ireland but the warm welcome and outstanding service once there warrant some extra drive time. We will play Carne first thing Tuesday morning and I predict it will be one of the most talked about rounds on the trip.