Monkstown is continuing the set the pace when it comes to course improvements, the club have nearly completed phase one of their bunker redevelopment programme.  Monkstown Manager Maurice O’Meara explained what has been involved in the six month plan.  “Phase one of our bunker programme commenced in October 2023 which covered the entire back nine.  We plan to open the new bunkers and have them back in play in early April.  Phase two is planned to commence in October 2024 and will follow a similar timeline and will hopefully be completed and re-opened in April 2025.”

“The programme is a complete redesign of the existing bunkers, and modernisation with new and modern drainage which will enhance and allow all year around playability.  The construction and design is being carried out by DAR Golf and Ken Kearney Golf Design, ably assisted by our Course Superintendent Martin Travers and Course Convenors Frank Egan and Mick McGuire.  The bunker programme will further enhance our magnificent golf course and will maintain our position as one of the premium courses in the region.”

And the project is more than just an update as Maurice continued.  “We are removing certain bunkers and repositioning others, and changing the dimensions and sizes of them. This will allow for a new golf challenge.  The overall number of bunkers and the area of sand coverage will reduce by approximately twenty percent.”

The bunkers are the latest major project at Monkstown, the club has completed a number of major projects over the past three years.  Firstly there was the new short game area, this brought an under-utilised practice green to a new level with chipping areas, two bunkers and two new large greens.  Last year the club opened a new covered driving range and teaching bay, significantly upgrading their practice facilities.  Additionally several tee-boxes were rebuilt.

Golf course architect Ken Kearney has been involved in all of the Monkstown projects, he designed the short game area, and also advised on the range and tee-boxes.  The work in Monkstown has been carried out by DAR Golf who have a worked with several courses in the county.

The work in Monkstown comes at a cost and the full bunker programme will cover over €500k, and the club took advantage of having DAR Golf onsite to continue their tee-box improvement plans as Maurice explained.  “While phase one of the bunker programme was being completed we took the opportunity whist having heavy machinery and expertise onsite to refurbish and upgrade a number of our tee boxes on the back nine.  We would hope to carry out similar work on the front nine when the phase two commences.”

Many courses with have looked at reshaping some of the course details to deal with the challenge that many golfers are now hitting the ball much longer than when the course and holes were originally designed.  Several courses are now also looking at other elements like long term weather changes, sustainability and routine maintenance needs.  While this includes tees and things like bunkers, it also means looking at grass types and irrigation systems to cope with new weather patterns.  Maintaining and developing golf courses is and expensive and labour intensive business.

The investment in the course and facilities in Monkstown has been reflected in the very strong membership growth over the past two years.  Maurice O’Meara was delighted to add that interest from mew members has been very strong.  “We had a very successful year in 2023 and attracted a very healthy influx of new members across all categories.  We offered a Ladies membership incentive package and this attracted 43 new full lady members, which was greatly welcomed and was a huge boost to our Ladies section of the Club.”

“With the recent addition of our short game area, new state of the art driving range and fitting studio where Cian McNamara and his team offer an unparalleled coaching, fitting and repair service the Club has really gone from strength to strength.  Along with this and the bunker program we are in a really good position in 2024.”

While Monkstown has a healthy membership, there are a limited number of vacancies for full members, and anyone interested should contact Maurice in the Monkstown office.