Seve Ballesteros was in Killenard, Co Laois, last evening to spearhead a new course development in which he and Jeff Howes are co-designers. When a projected 104 houses are included, the development will extend to £75 million.
The celebrated Spaniard and Dr McDaid, the Minister for Sport, performed the sod-turning ceremony for the Heritage Golf and Country Club. The course and clubhouse will be officially opened in 2003 and the entire facility is scheduled for completion two years later.
The promoters are GMK Management, led by Tommy Keane, a prominent Portlaoise businessman and an eight-handicap member of The Heath GC. "As a keen golfer, I'm very proud to see the project under way," he said yesterday. "And it is a particular thrill to have Seve Ballesteros on board. He was my idol for many years."
Though Ballesteros was already committed to the Murphy's Irish Open, this is, in fact, his second involvement in business matters here in recent weeks.
He was in Dublin last month to promote the staging of the Seve Ballesteros Trophy at Druids Glen next April.
"Ireland has contributed greatly to golf and golfers internationally, so I am delighted to be involved in this project," said Ballesteros, who arrived at Killenard last evening by helicopter from Dublin Airport.
"Working with Jeff, I will become a familiar visitor to you over the next few years."
Though he was linked at one stage with a design at Killeen Castle, The Heritage will be the Spaniard's first Irish undertaking.
He already has eight signature courses in various part of Europe, including Novo Sancti Petri outside Jerez, Spain, which was being promoted at one stage as a likely venue for the 1997 Ryder Cup.
Howes, who was a member of the Jack Nicklaus team at Mount Juliet, was responsible for major remodelling work at Fota Island. And he also designed the new course at Gowran Park, which will be opened on July 1st.
Meanwhile, the course at The Heritage, which is situated on 240 acres about 50 miles west of Dublin, will have an overall length of 7,354 yards.
