MacKenzie, who has designed some equally beautiful courses like Augusta National, Cypress Point and Royal Melbourne to name a few, built a testing heath like course which requires long carries from the tees and has tightly bunkered green sites which demand sharp iron play.

As a result Cork has seen a magnificent collection of golfing legends win the Close at Cork. Great names such as John D. McCormack, John Burke, Mick Power and the last champion to experience victory across this storied venue was sharp shooting Martin O'Brien back in 1975.

Captain John Phillips and President Dan Hoare are looking forward to welcoming Ireland's top amateurs to Cork and large crowds are expected to turn out to watch Irish amateur superstar Rory McIlroy go for a third successive win.

In 1975, when the club last held the Close, the GUI instructed them to fertilise the rough as they were worried about the long hitting, but not always accurate play of the amateurs of that era. Secretary/ Manager Matt Sands is happy to report that no such fertilising will be required this time and the course will only see the reshaping of some fairways.

"We were thrilled earlier this year to see the inaugural playing of the Munster Strokeplay Championship in May", said Sands. This was originally the Cork Scratch Cup, but gained Championship status last year. Conor Doran of Banbridge won the event with a level-par score of 288. "We are happy that this shows the course will stand up to the best amateurs and expect a good "eld again next May as they warm up for the Close."