A Journal, with Pictures

Bally­bunion

Bill Marx orga­nized a nine day trip for four of us to Ire­land to play two great Irish links golf cours­es. We all met on Sat­ur­day August 15, in the Newark air­port for the trip to Shan­non, Ire­land. The fear­some four­some, includ­ed Bill, Dr. Paul Pel­lic­ci, Patrick Mullen and myself. We arrived in Shan­non ear­ly Sun­day morn­ing and drove to Bally­bunion. Our hotel was Teach De Broc, locat­ed right across the road from the dri­ving range at the Bally­bunion golf course. I have stayed there on sev­er­al occa­sions and it seems to get bet­ter every stay with the one con­stant, the incred­i­bly friend­ly pro­pri­etors and staff. We do a lit­tle tour­ing of the town of Bal­ley­bunion, vis­it the golf club and have lunch. That evening we have a great din­ner and enjoy the enter­tain­ment at one of the pubs in town. The next day we play our first round on the old course at Bally­bunion, which is a great track, start­ing with the first hole that goes past the ceme­tery that col­lects a few balls to the last hole back up to the club house. Every hole is unique and chal­leng­ing. The weath­er is pret­ty good by Irish stan­dards, with a nice 25 to 35 knot wind to add to the chal­lenge. The fair­ways are nar­row and the rough is very very rough, so it makes for some inter­est­ing scores. We are joined by some of our friends from Ire­land the next two days, that we know through the late Ernie Ran­some. Ernie had a great con­nec­tion with this golf club and our Irish friends. We all com­mis­er­ate about los­ing our friend and enjoy two rounds of golf togeth­er in his hon­or. We have a great expe­ri­ence in Bally­bunion, good friends, fun golf, good food and drink as well as many good laughs.

On to Lahinch.