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Former professional golfer Graham Spring is pictured at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club with John Drummey who came up with the idea to compile the perfect Kerry Ryder Cup Course. Photo By : Domnick Walsh ©
IMAGINE if the Ryder Cup was played in Kerry? How would you decide which of our amazing courses would host the competition?
We’ll imagine no more as Kerry Airport has come up with a solution by asking former professional golfer Graham Spring from Tralee to combine 18 holes from around the county to create the perfect Kerry Ryder Cup Course.
Just when Ryder Cup fever grips both sides of the Atlantic ahead of this year’s competition in Whistling Straits, Graham has compiled a collection of Par 5s, 4s and 3s in Kerry worthy of Ryder Cup status.
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Memorable holes in Waterville, Tralee, Ballybunion, Killeen and O’Mahony’s Point in Killarney, Dooks, Castlegregory and Dingle have all made the cut to feature in Graham’s Perfect Ryder Cup Course.
The Chief Executive of Kerry Airport, John Mulhern, said: “We are blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the world which is famous for its scenery, hospitality and achievements in the world of sport. The Irish Open has been staged in Kerry on five occasions so far and hopefully a sixth in Waterville in a few years from now. Graham Spring knows the value of golf to the tourism industry in Kerry. He has drawn from his playing experience and his knowledge of the magnificent courses in the county to produce the perfect Wild Atlantic Kerry Ryder Cup Course.”
Graham, also a former Mayor of Tralee, represented Ireland at amateur level, became the first Kerry man to compete in the British Open in 1998 and he is a member of the Club Managers Association of Europe.
Graham Spring, who recently took on the role as Director of Golf at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, said: “This was a difficult task because I had to put on my thinking cap and reflect on all the holes I’ve played down through the years and come up with my selection. There’s great credit due to Kerry Airport for coming up with this project and it offers them a great opportunity to publicise Kerry golf throughout their destinations. Kerry Airport is a gateway to the county to visit our great golf courses.”
The following are the 18 holes chosen by Graham Spring in February 2020, prior to the postponement of the Ryder Cup due to the Covid-19 pandemic:
• Tralee Golf Club – 2nd, 3rd, 8th and 12thHoles
• Waterville Golf Links – 2nd, 3rd, 14th, 17thand 18th Holes
• Ceann Sibéal Dingle Links – 9th Hole
• Castlegregory – 8th Hole
• Dooks Golf Club – 5th Hole
• Ballybunion Golf Club (Old Course) – 11th, 15th and 17th Holes
• Killeen Course, Killarney Golf & Fishing Club – 8th and 17th Holes
• O’Mahony’s Point, Killarney Golf & Fishing Club – 18th Hole
Videos of each of the holes can be seen on the Kerry Airport Ireland social media platforms from Saturday 18th September.
The series was conceived, edited and produced by John Drummey and the drone footage was filmed by Domnick Walsh Photography with thanks to the cooperation of the management and staff at each of the golf courses.
“We are grateful to Graham Spring, the production team and the golf clubs who brought this project to life and we hope that it will attract more golfers to Kerry to play their virtual Ryder Cup while also experiencing all the hospitality that the Kingdom has to offer,” said John Mulhern.
