To those sceptics in our midst, the professionals' blanket approval of Fota Island, has provoked the sort of deep suspicion famously associated with gift bearing Greeks. So it will come as no surprise if scoring is so decidedly hot when the £1.26 million Muprhy's Irish Open get underway this morning.
Not one serious complaint has been voiced by the time preparations were completed in bright sunshine yesterday. Indeed Darren Clarke, who has previously viewed this event as something of an unwelcome chore, found himself saying: "They've done a great job here; the place is good for me."
That from a player whose best Irish Open performance was a share of 15th place behind Colin Montgomerie at Druids Glen in 1997. And his mood was enhanced by what he described as a charming experience last Monday evening, shortly after he had moved into the harbour-master's house at Cobh.
Offering a reminder of the child in all of us, he enthused: "We're so lucky with the house because there are three killer whales in the harbour, about 150 yards from out patio. A fantastic sight. Big ones. I sat with a cup of coffee and the whales started messing around, 150 yards away. Amazing." To which locals could have proudly reminded him of the time, almost 50 years ago when Herman Melville's fictional, white killer, Moby Dick, was filmed down the road at Youghal, with Gregory Peck playing Captain Ahab.
The decision to come here has given the owner, Tim Mahoney, the distinction of playing host to the Irish Open at two courses - Mount Juliet from 1993 to 1995, before he bought Fota Island three years ago. And the tree-lined parkland terrain, has since been upgraded by architect Jeff Howes at a cost of £2.2 million.
"The key elements of our design approach were to bring the extensive water and the abundance of magnificent trees more into play," he said. "In rebuilding the greens, we used a more subtle approach to contouring to make them more receptive, yet they will be demanding and enjoyable to putt on." Montgomerie, who won back-to-back in 1996 and 1997 but, significantly, absented himself from the celebrated links terrain of Ballybunion last year, was among those happy to endorse the work. "It's a very good course which has been playing as easily as we'll see it," he said. "The pins are going to be a lot tougher over the next few days." Apart from his two victories, the Scot was runner-up at Killarney in 1991 and Druids Glen in 1992. And when reminded of his record here, he expressed surprise at being twice runner-up, as if winning were no more than his due.
Time was. He hasn't won in Europe since the Volvo PGA Championship 13 months ago, though he captured the Australian Masters last February.
Having turned 38 last Saturday, could it be he's looking towards retirement? "I will know it's time if the best I can do is 10th in a tournament," he replied sharply. "The best I can do now is win. And here I am." Ireland's representation of 21 challengers includes the big three of Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley. But it could be a far more valuable exercise for Philip Walton, who, in attempting to regain the card he lost two years ago, might have done better than a share of 10th place at Ballybunion.
Interestingly, he is joined in a three-ball over the opening two rounds here by Ronan Rafferty, reviving memories of 1979 at Portmarnock where the pair, as promising amateurs, made debut appearances.
Victory by Andrew Coltart at Slaley Hall means that the field includes the winners of no fewer than 14 European tournaments this year, the others being - Adam Scott, Thomas Bjorn, Tony Johnstone, Des Smyth, Darren Fichardt, Ian Poulter, Robert Karlsson, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Andrew Oldcorn, Thomas Levet and Peter O'Malley. And what of an Irish winner this time around? The omens are good, according to sports psychologist Jos Vanstiphout, who hit the jackpot at Southern Hills by guiding Retief Goosen to a play-off triumph in the US Open. The Belgian, whose 18 clients include Levet and Coltart, also works with McGinley and was helping Harrington until two months ago.
"I predicted Retief's victory and I can tell you Paul will win," he said. "I'm like a mum, dad and grandparents to these players and I can feel it when they are ready. With Paul it will happen soon, maybe this week. That's a promise." The problem is that with so many contented challengers around, the competition could be tougher than usual.
