They looked; they marvelled at its beauty and then they set about figuring a way to cope with its very special challenge when the u £1 million sterling Murphy's Irish Open gets under way here on the Old Course tomorrow. But in the words of Seve Ballesteros, they will need "greater imagination and shot-making skills than anything I have ever known."
The Spanish veteran of a thousand links battles, including three British Open triumphs, visibly glowed with admiration for what he had experienced in yesterday's practice round. "It made me feel the same way as when I first saw St Andrews," he said, recalling the Open of 1978. "The magic is the same."
Ballesteros went on: "It is a piece of art, a unique stretch of land; not like anything I have ever played. It demands all the shots, especially around the greens. I wish I had more time to get to know it better because I can see that local knowledge is going to be very important."
When I asked how he responded to Tom Watson's assessment of it as the best course in the world, he said: "I can understand that." Then he added: "It would be better if there was more room. They didn't have to bring the rough in so close. The course was already demanding enough."
There was a time when slashing his way through those wild, seaside grasses would have been part of the irresistible Ballesteros magic. But sadly, his 43-year-old body is no longer capable of delivering the sort of spectacle which won countless Irish admirers over the years.
Meanwhile, others were less effusive, clearly preoccupied with the crucial work of preparation. And it became so comprehensive as to cause major delays, to the extent that some of them were forced to abandon plans for a full practice round. In the case of Darren Clarke, his activity was limited to two holes, the rerouted 14th and 15th, while Sandy Lyle quit after one.
Costantino Rocca fared somewhat better, but the frustration on his wonderfully expressive face more than compensated for faltering English. "It take me nearly five hours to play 12 holes," he said. "The course is very difficult and there were too many balls and too many shots."
Miguel Angel Jimenez, joint runner-up to Tiger Woods in the US Open at Pebble Beach 10 days ago, faced a different problem. After completing a practice round in the company of fellow Spaniards Jose Maria Olazabal, Domingo Hospital and Jose Rivero, he complained of flu symptoms.
A doctor advised him to go immediately to bed and he has withdrawn from today's pro-am in the hope of being fully recovered in time to take his place in the first round of the tournament. Jimenez is drawn to go into action with fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Ian Woosnam at 8.20 tomorrow morning.
Clarke, unhappy with his ball-striking despite a third-place finish behind Lee Westwood at Slaley Hall last Sunday, returned to the clubhouse after two holes. "I was hoping to play 11, but it's impossible out there," he said.
As to his current form, the 6 to 1 favourite for the tournament added: "I slipped into bad habits during the US Open and, quite frankly, my ball striking is poor at the moment. Everything seems askew, but I'm hoping to work my way through it." Had he any plans to contact coach Butch Harmon by way of remedial action? "Not at the moment," he replied.
At that stage, Irish colleague Paul McGinley was to be found on the adjoining Cashen Course, where some of the greens have been specially prepared for short-game practice. Coach, Pete Cowen, had him working on plugged bunker recoveries.
"The lads are trying to adjust to playing from softer, finer sand onto elevated greens," said Cowen. "It means that the flange on the sandwedge has to create more bounce, which calls for a change of technique."
McGinley's last experience of Ballybunion was an unintentionally brief one, when he lost to the eventual winner, Gary McNeill, in the first round of the Irish Amateur Close here in 1991. "Having taken three of the last four weeks off, I feel fully refreshed and ready for action," he said.
Sam Torrance also seemed happy with the impending challenge. The veteran Scot holds the distinction having won this championship both on the links terrain of Portmarnock in 1980 and on the classic parkland of Mount Juliet in 1995.
"Magnificent," he enthused. "I have always had a special feeling for Irish links courses. This is what Irish golf is all about."
When initial courtesies have been observed, however, the cream of Europe's professionals will get down to the serious business of carving themselves a profitable share of the handsome prize fund. And however formidable Ballybunion's defences, we know that a certain few will find a way of breaking through.
"We saw it recently in the Wales Open at Celtic Manor, where the dramatic changes in elevation made for a very difficult challenge," said McGinley. "You'll be surprised how well these guys will adapt."
