Christy tees off for Edmondstown Golf Club

GOLFING great Christy O’Connor Junior did the honours at the official opening of the new pro facilities at Edmondstown Golf Club recently.

Christy, one of the heroes of the victorious European Ryder Cup team in 1989, provided tips to participants in a tournament sponsored by Bill Sheehan & Sons and Mitsubishi Motors that included a prize of a Mitsubishi Lancer Diesel car worth over

?¬22,000 for the player who scored a hole in one.

Edmondstown, a Dublin club with a great tradition since it was established in 1944, is located in Rathfarnham.

The club has invested more than

?¬400,000 in the new facilities that includes a 2,000sq foot Pro Shop, a state-of-the-art swing room and a large club and trolley storage area.

It is part of an overall investment programme that has seen the installation of a new irrigation system and a bunker upgrade programme as well as a number of other developments. The club funded all the developments from existing resources.

The swing and fitting studio will have a Foresight GC2 launch monitor onsite, which traces ball flight, ball speed, launch angles, and spin rates. The facility also includes a range of training aids.

The development of Edmondstown’s pro facilities has been overseen by the team led by Head PGA professional Gareth McShea.

Gareth last year hosted Master PGA Hall of Fame Professional Michael Hebron for five days, three of which were spent presenting to a group of PGA pros at Edmondstown.

The golf club plays 6,573 yards off the championship tees with a par of 71. The last 12 years have seen considerable investment in upgrading the course and club facilities resulting in a course that appeals to both the competitive and casual golfer.

Located in a parkland setting inside the M50, the friendly, vibrant club has a particular emphasis on training for younger members making it a popular and accessible family organisation.

“We are continuously investing in the course and our club facilities including the excellent coaching programme,

? said Tony McCarthy, captain.

“The course which combines interesting water features, bunkers and mature trees along with accessible tee times is for many a hidden gem. As a result we can boast a course that appeals to different levels of skills and competency and is reflected in a steady increase in the membership.

?