Designer Tom Doak willing to help Mulranny
Top golf course designer Tom Doak is aware of the plight of Mulranny Golf Club and its battle to resist the onslaught from the sea. He's even willing to put some of his own hard-earned cash into any potential bid to save the course and even help in the search for backers.
In case you missed it, the nine-hole links in Co Mayo suffered severe flooding damage over the past month and having lost nine of the original 18 holes to the sea in the 1980s, all but three were under water, stone and debris — or all three - just a few days ago.
A fundraising campaign is likely to be the only way to save Mulranny's nine-hole course from oblivion.
And Doak, who has acclaimed designs such as Bandon Dunes and Barnbougle Dunes to his credit to name but two, appears to be moved by Mulranny's plight, according to the Golf Club Atlas forum. [Thanks to reader Jay for the heads up]
Posting on the news story published here last week, Doak wrote:
I think this golf course is worth saving. I'd be happy to put some of my own money behind that sentiment, as well as helping to find other money. All I need is some assurance from the coastal engineers who have consulted there that they can make a difference for a reasonable amount of money.
Has anyone started trying to raise money on the Irish side? How can we help?
Mulranny Golf Club held a meeting last night to discuss the way forward.
If saving the course is feasible and protecting it from further damage in future storms is an option, Irish clubs and others with a love of grassroots clubs such as Mulranny Golf Club may be willing to raise the estimated six figure sum needed.