NE golf architect Graeme Webster oversees  

renovation of Ballybunion Old Course

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  Greens are now being cut at 6.25mm, with 6mm being the long term height of cut at Ballybunion
• 
  Ballybunion’s Old Course has now reopened for play
• 
  All 18 greens were given a new pure fescue surface
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  The course lies on Ireland’s Atlantic coast in County Kerry
  
• 
  
  

  Greens are now being cut at 6.25mm, with 6mm being the long term height of cut at 
  

  Ballybunion
• 
  Ballybunion’s Old Course has now reopened for play

By Sean Dudley

Initial feedback for the recent renovation project at Ballybunion Golf Club in County Kerry, Ireland, has been very positive.
That’s according to John Bambury, course manager at the club on Ireland’s Atlantic coast.
The extensive project included the replacement of all eighteen Ballybunion’s Old Course greens with a pure fescue surface and entirely new rootzone.
The project also included the revetting of 38 sand-faced bunkers, the returfing of 30,000 sq m of green surrounds with fescue, and significant design changes to the seventh hole.

Work was led by Atlantic Golf Construction – whose principal Anthony Bennett hails from the area – and was overseen by  North-east of Scotland golf architect, Graeme Webster (pictured right).
The course reopened for play last month, and Bambury told the magazine "Golf Course Architecture" that everything has gone to plan so far.
“The greens are bedding in immensely well,” he said. “We are now cutting our greens at 6.25mm. 6mm will be the long term height of cut for Ballybunion.”
Bambury added: “Density is excellent despite high traffic volumes. What is really great to see is how our members and returning guests recognise how the team kept the integrity of the original architecture. The revitalised dunescapes are really developing with marram grass plantations establishing excellently. Grass pathways are very much a positive for the landscape.”