The old ones are still the best. No, we're not referring to comedian Hal Roach's scripts, but to the current Top 100 courses in the world, as published by Golf Magazine. Among the top-10, the youngest creation is Augusta National, a lively toddler of 69 years.
These lists tend to give the impression of being arbitrary, but one has to assume that David Feherty, the lone Irishman on the selection committee, trenchantly promoted the courses of this fair land. Still, the Irish representation is down to five, from the previous list of two years ago, which included six.
The Old Head of Kinsale, which was a 1999 debutant in 96th place, has fallen off the list, though it is included, along with The European Club and Waterville among 31 which receive honourable mention. The fact that these also include such fine stretches as San Lorenzo (Portugal), Prestwick (Scotland) and Dubai Creek, should be a matter of some pride to the Irish trio.
Old Irish reliables in the list are Royal Co Down (8th), Ballybunion (11th), Royal Portrush (14th), Portmarnock (34th) and Lahinch (67th). Co Down's promotion from 10th two years ago could be attributed to the staging of the Senior British Open, in that the previous venue, Portrush, has slipped from 12th.
Ballybunion remains unchanged but without any increased international exposure, Portmarnock has slipped only one place from 33rd while Lahinch has actually improved three spots from 67.
The top 20 are: 1 Pine Valley; 2 Cypress Point; 3 Pebble Beach; 4 Augusta National; 5 St Andrews; 6 Shinnecock Hills; 7 Pinehurst No 2; 8 Royal Co Down; 9 Muirfield; 10 Royal Melbourne; 11 Ballybunion; 12 Sand Hills (US); 13 Merion; 14 Royal Portrush; 15 Royal Dornoch; 16 Oakmont; 17 Seminole; 18 Turnberry; 19 Winged Foot; 20 San Francisco.
Most notable newcomer is the outstanding Kingsbarns stretch, which comes in at 46th. Located six miles from St Andrews and opened in 1999, it was designed by Kyle Phillips who had 400,000 cubic yards of earth moved so as achieve the desired links appeal, along with a view of the North Sea from every hole.
This is the 12th such ranking and the magazine claim that the reliability of their biennial list is reflected by the fact that the 1999 top-25 are unchanged. Pine Valley has led since 1985 and the top seven are in the same order as two years ago.
Either way, for commercial reasons, the owners of these courses, understandably, take such lists very seriously. But for the rest of us, they should be no more than a little, gentle fun.
"He brings his rackets all over the place. I just hoped he didn't twist his ankle. I didn't want that on my watch." - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Chris Chandler, who had tennis enthusiast Sergio Garcia as a house-guest during last week's US PGA Championship.
