2013 Irish Open Practice Round With Barrie Trainor
I met up with my mate Barrie Trainor and Andrew Kiely on the Monty Course at Carton House for a practice round ahead of the Irish Open.
What We Learned
This course will suit the bombers, there’s plenty of room off the tee but the European Tour have been clever with the yardages. They’ve stretched the course to the tips and the crater bunkers will catch even big drives that stray off line.
Baz was averaging 285 yards from the tee today, driving arrow straight and still had plenty of 5 iron second shots. The greens were running 11-12 on the stimp and were so firm it is was practically impossible to hold the ball. “59†watch is well and truly over, this course will play well under par but wont roll over.
There are pick up holes such as 13, the 338 yard par 4, on which Barry drove front right. A chip and tap in for birdie. He predicts there could be eagles on this hole.
The 17th hole is called the “Open House†and should be a super atmosphere when full. There’s a beamer up for grabs for a hole in one, but par is a good score. Barry hits 6-iron and makes a tidy par.
Avoiding the cavernous bunkers to the left and the river to the right is the key to the 18th hole. Baz splits the fairway from the tee, 3 woods it to the apron and zips the pitch to a foot. Tidy.
In summary, plenty of birdie holes, but a surprising number of testing holes too. Longer than it looks, greens lightning fast and extremely tough bunkers.
Best of luck Barrie.
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