Week by week, the number of people stopping cars to peer over hedgerows into what were once undistinguished fields has grown. "Like sheep looking over a fence and getting ready to jump," is how Joe O'Connor, one of those involved with the South County Golf Club project, describes the curious onlookers to the development unfolding in Brittas, on the foothills of the Dublin mountains.

But, as impressive as the visual impact is, it's the sheer speed of it all which is probably the most remarkable aspect. In the space of 13 weeks, since the first sod was turned in June, old farmland has been transformed into what promises to be an intriguing new test of golf. Greens have been built (already!) - to USGA specifications - and tee-boxes, to the same specs, are all but completed; and a lay-out that not so long ago belonged in the imagination of its designer, Nick Bielenberg, is obvious to everyone.

We've waited and waited for some sign, just the smallest hint, that there might be a slow-down to the booming golf development industry which has seen over 110 new courses constructed in Ireland since 1990.

There is no slow-down in sight, and the appetite of the Celtic Tiger's cubs remains voracious. The difference with this development, however, is that the members are also the owners and, if they so wish, in time, they are free to sell on their shares.

The concept of the South County club is relatively new to this country, although it has proven to be a successful formula in the United States. Not only are members paying to become members, but, in parting with their money, they are becoming owners too. A relatively low-key launch early in the year saw the first 150 shares (at £10,000 apiece) snapped up. The second phase of owner/membership shares is currently available at £12,500 with the third block due to be increased to £15,000. A ceiling of 695 has been placed on the number of members (owners).

For their hard-earned money, the members are getting quality. Bielenberg's wellington boots squelch their way to the fringes of what will be the 18th green. It is the last of the greens to be built and it gives him the opportunity to show exactly what sort of care and attention is being put into their construction: perforated drain pipes are laid in the bottom layer of pebbles and also in the 10 inch rootzone layer of peat and sand while the grass being used on the putting surface itself is a traditional Scottish mixture of bent fescue which, in Bielenberg's experience, is less prone to spiking.

All of the greens measure between 500 and 600 square metres and a nice touch is the mounding, and generous bunkering, surrounding them. Unlike some modern creations, there is no excessive undulations on the greens. "I'm conscious that something like 70 per cent of golfers are over 18 handicap, and this is a course that members will want to play," explains Bielenberg.

What has been achieved over the summer months is quite remarkable. Bielenberg, who designed the course at Luttrellstown Castle, has taken a hands-on approach to the course construction at Brittas and is effusive in his praise for the work of course builder Tom Bryan and his team of shapers. Certainly, the mounding, especially around the greens where the hillocks are in keeping with the smooth outlines of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains that dominate the skyline, is very tasteful.

"I'm something of a traditionalist by nature," explains Bielenberg, "an admirer of the works of Donald Ross, Alister Mackenzie and AW Tillinghast. I've been influenced by a lot of the older courses and I like to work with the land."

The land, all 180 acres of it, straddles the Dublin and Wicklow border. It is naturally undulating and has allowed the designer scope to lay out a course (measuring 7,013 yards off the back tees, but with four different sets of tees to cater for all standards of player) that ensures a variety of holes. Wherever possible, existing trees have been retained although the most spectacular cluster will actually lay alongside the clubhouse in an elevated area known as The Fort. However, there are plans to plant some 25,000 new trees which will augment the natural terrain.

Although there have been 20 pieces of machinery on site since work started, a ring-road has been in use around the development to keep most of the heavy machinery away, and Bielenberg says earthmoving has been kept to a minimum. One American course designer described too much earthmoving as "scraping, raping and shaping" and Bielenberg, for one, is not into that facet of construction. "Digging around too much doesn't suit the Irish climate," he insists.

But with irrigation engineer Peter Bunbury supervising that aspect of the development, and with all the latest computerised irrigation technology on board, the project team expect the course to have no drainage problems and to be maintained to an exceptionally high standard. Eddie Connaughton has been retained as consultant agronomist while Conor O'Gorman, previously based at Greystones, is in situ as the course superintendent.

Indeed, one of the first sights that greets you driving through the entrance is an imposing man-made lake which is fed by an underwater mountain stream. The par three 16th - measuring 209 yards off the back tee - has the potential to be the course's signature hole. Also, the water influence over the finishing holes is increased by the clever use of the River Lisheen which comes into play on five holes.

So much, it seems, has been achieved in so little time. Bielenberg attributes the speed of the work to a number of factors. "Firstly, we have tried to work with nature rather than fight against it. There has been considerably less earth-moving here than on other, similar projects. Then, we have a brilliant contractor (Tom Bryan). He's a good, experienced golfer himself and he must take a lot of credit for what has been achieved. And, also, the man above has been very helpful. We were late starting and I was a little worried if we'd make it, but the weather has been almost perfect for the work we have carried out."

A number of other courses - Slade Valley, Dublin Mountain and Ballinascorney - are nearby but, already, the South County project has attracted much interest. O'Connor, head of marketing, explains that there is a "good mix" in those who have already signed up with a cross-section of people who previously had country membership, others who were five-day members in city clubs who "have the chance to be part of something new and exciting" and, also, a number of returned emigrants.

Its location, too, is a factor in the level of interest for a course which won't be playable until next July (and only to members at first). Situated five miles from Tallaght, on the Blessington road, O'Connor explains that there has been exceptionally high interest from the likes of Dalkey and Killiney because the new southern cross route will increase accessibility.

"We were lucky to find such a suitable site," says Bielenberg. "It's difficult to find 180 acres today of such quality available so close to Dublin." O'Connor, previously the director of golf at City West, adds: "People have been waiting for a club like this to happen. They feel they are getting into something special, and they are."

What they are getting into is something unique in an Irish setting, the chance to become owners of their own club. It is surprising, in fact, that the equity share concept - especially in this economic climate - didn't surface sooner, although you could argue that the golfing pioneers of over a 100 years ago envisaged much the same thing. Those involved with the South County project are insisting on quality to make sure that the concept works, and perhaps serve as a pointer to future such schemes in the country.