The Irish Open - Baltray

Baltray, or as it is officially known - 'County Louth Golf Club', will be hosting this year's Irish Open which begins on May 14.

New sponsors, "3", (an innovative mobile phone company) have generously put forward a sponsorship package that will see some of the world's top golfers arrive on the east coast of Ireland to compete for a 3 million Euro prize fund. The favourites for the tournament may well come from the strong home contingent which includes the likes of Harrington, McDowell, McIlroy, McGinley and Clarke. Perhaps John Daly could throw a spanner in the works after recently accepting an invite. Although his patience levels will have to be turned up to an all time high in order to deal with the unpredictable Louth links.

Many of Ireland's best known courses such as Ballybunion, Portmarnock and Adare Manor have all hosted the Irish Open down the years, but this is only Baltray's second staging of the prestigious event. It was previously held here in 2004 when Australian Brett Rumford emerged victorious after providing a masterclass in the art of scrambling, an important skill that is often called upon around this testing links course. Padraig Harrington names it as "one of the most exciting links courses in Ireland".

One of the simple reasons that makes Baltray such a fearsome test of golf is it's layout. Like Muirfield over in Scotland, it's two loops of nine make almost every hole play in a different direction. With the gusting winds from the Irish Sea, you will be faced with a new challenge every time you address the ball.

The present course was designed in 1938 by the renowned Tom Simpson. It speaks highly for his design that he saw need to introduce only fifty bunkers to bolster the course's defences, but the terrain at his disposal was so suited to links golf that a sprawling mass of sand pits was not necessary. In 2003, Donald Steel was brought in to complete a course upgrade under the guidance of Tom MacKenzie. Little alterations were made here and there, but nothing too dramatic. These subtle changes are quite often the best when dealing with a classic links course. The addition of several new tees did stretch the course to over 7000 yards however, a level most tournament organisers deem suitable for modern professional play.

When the tournament hits our screens, keep an eye out for the 14th hole. Depending on the wind direction, you will see most of the players have a go at this 330 yard par 4 off the tee. It's one of many holes where aggression can result in birdie or bogey.

Should you wish to attend in person, Connoisseur Golf can design bespoke packages including tournament tickets, 5* accommodation and your own personal chauffeur in addition to tee-times at some of the top links courses in the country. For late availability on Irish Open packages or to include Baltray on your personal itinerary, e-mail me direct at jim@connoisseurgolf.com.