Building a Golf Course. Beyond Everything.

Turfgrass, golf course specialist, highlight some key features of the rebuild, renovation and maintenance of The Golf Course at Adare Manor, Ireland, in anticipation of the Ryder Cup in 7 years.

The substantial brief that was handed to the golf designer Tom Fazio and all the consultants involved in the remodelling and rebuild of The Golf Course at Adare Manor, Co. Limerick, Ireland, was to build a Golf Course, “beyond everything”. JP McManus’s bold and daring vision has resulted in this prestigious golf course now being awarded the 2026 Ryder Cup.

Turfgrass, was enlisted as the agronomy, course specifications and construction management experts on this imposing project back in 2015. They have been working closely with the Adare Manor team, Fazio Design and Atlantic Golf Construction on all areas of the design to deliver a masterpiece golf course worthy of such an illustrious golf tournament.

Golf Course Superintendent, Alan MacDonnell confirms, “John and Julian became our Agronomists in 2015 to assist with all aspects of the construction, the specification of materials, the sourcing of materials, the ‘grow in’ and the development of the course. They have really become trusted colleagues and friends of Adare Manor and we are very thankful for their involvement in helping us produce the quality befitting Tom Fazio’s design.”

Adare Manor is a purpose built golf course. Both the design and construction of the course were specifically aimed at producing a challenging yet memorable playing experience for golfers of every level and most importantly to attract premiere professional and amateur golf events. Both of these objectives were met by the introduction of the very best and latest in golf course maintenance and grass technology, such as wall to wall sandcapping, ensuring a dry playable golf course all year round, with SubAir built into each of the 19 greens which regulates air, water and temperature, creeping bentgrass on the greens and surrounds and “wall to wall” low cut maintained rye grass.

Tom Marzolf, Senior Design Associate, Fazio Golf Course Designers emphasises why Turfgrass were brought in on this impressive project, “ Turfgrass has the experience and proven track record to help all levels of golf agronomy, construction project management and tournament preparations . The team at Turfgrass is professional and gifted to help with the science and the art of great golf and healthy turf .”

“We have amble experience preparing for large tournaments, working for the last four European Solheim Cups, nine ROLEX Trophies and countless other events, the team and I are well aware of all the requirements and pressures that such a tournament can put on playing surfaces and infrastructure of the golf course. “ Says Julian Mooney, Director of Agronomy at Turfgrass. “ The primary aim between now and 2026 is to continue to produce exceptional playing surfaces and if this can be achieved, Ryder Cup preparations should be relatively straightforward. Agronomically, some of the greatest challenges are influenced by weather and environmental conditions, for example, the relatively short growing season and extended cloud cover makes producing best in class creeping bentgrass a challenge. Some focus points between now and 2026 will be the management of traffic, weed grasses, and plant parasitic nematodes, which is an ongoing concern.”

Describing the continued development of the course preparation  pre and post tournament Managing Director of Turfgrass, John Clarkin highlights, “There will be some infrastructural improvements to ensure the movement and flow of spectators throughout the golf course, specifically a focused sand top dressing programme to increase the depth of sand in the rough to protect the course long term from the heavy traffic. While, to complement their tournament experience ahead of Ryder Cup, Alan MacDonnell has sent employees to numerous high profile golf tournaments such as the Irish Open, BMW PGA Championships and THE PLAYERS.” John enthusiastically adds, “It will be remarkable to see the return of the Ryder Cup twenty years later to Irish soil. A proud moment for Ireland and showcasing the country, and an especially proud moment for Irish golf and the people in the industry.”

Footnote – The Project in Numbers