‘Backspin’ magazine has broken fresh ground by becoming the first to treat Ireland’s links and parkland and links courses separately in a rankings survey. Publisher/editor Declan O’Donoghue assembled a panel of more than 50 professionals (including Ryder Cup players/PGA playing members) and amateurs (including Walker/Curtis Cup players) across the country.

The top parkland course was unveiled this week as Mount Juliet, with the K-Club (Palmer) in second position, marginally ahead of the Irish Open venue.  Also in the top ten were Druids Glen, The Heritage, PGA National Ireland, Killarney (Killeen), Headfort, Fota Island and Carton (Montgomerie).  Shannon GC was named inside the leading 30 clubs.

Ballybunion (old) was chosen at number six in the survey on links courses, behind Royal County Down, Portmarnock (old), Royal Portrush (Dunluce), The European Club and County Louth.  The first ten courses also included Lahinch (old), County Sligo and The Island.

At number 13 was Ballyliffin (Glashedy), where Limerick native John P. Dolan is PGA Professional, while Doonbeg came in at number 15, two places ahead of Tralee GC.

It’s down to the quarter-final stage of the Spring League at Adare Manor GC, ties which will be played next Saturday, with the semi-finals the following day – all this is to accommodate the final which is listed for the following weekend. 

The draw is: Damien Moloney v Tom Harrington (A), Martin Costello v Mick Barry (B), Billy O’Shaughnessy v Ger Considine (C) and TG Geary v Paul Griffin (D), with A v B and C v D the semi-final pairings.  Fourball is the format for both the quarter-finals and semi-finals.