IT'S hard to believe, standing on the bank where the waters of the Avoca and Aughrim rivers gently meet, that this place could ever resemble anything other than paradise. Woodenbridge Golf Club, set in a wooded vale, has, however, experienced the ravages of mother nature, most notably the effects of the infamous Hurricane Charlie in the summer of 1986.
Back then, as when an earlier hurricane struck in 1965, Woodenbridge was a nine-hole, almost undiscovered, gem which became submerged in torrents of storm water. "As you can expect, we're not looking forward to 2007, the next 21st anniversary, with too much eagerness," says Henry Crummy, only half-jokingly, who was honorary secretary on those two occasions. Yet, it is indicative of the care and thought taken by golf course architect Paddy Merrigan, who is responsible for the course's expansion to afull 18 holes, that any possible recurrence in the future won't inflict the same level of destruction.
Merrigan, in moulding the splendid new holes on the course, has created greens which are raised, almost imperceptibly, above the levels which the waters reached during the height of the second hurricane. It is a tribute to his designing genius, too, that the new holes, like a carefully crafted modern extension to a Georgian period house, have blended in quite naturally with holes eked out when the club was founded by Colonel Bayly in 1884.
There is a magical aura about Woodenbridge, almost from the time you walk across the railway line - carefully following the green cross code - to the clubhouse, part of which was swept away in that first hurricane some 32 years ago (and they have the photos on the bar walls to prove it). A recent e.g.m. has given the go-ahead for the facility to be expanded to cater for the growing numbers flocking to savour the course's delights.
For my first visit to Woodenbridge, I was blessed with two guides who knew the course intimately. Crummy was honorary secretary for 23 years before taking on the position as secretary/manager two years ago and club captain, Gerry Phelan, a publican in Aughrim, is a six-handicapper who appreciates fast greens and knows well the desired route to them.
Even on a kind day such as the one we experienced, a swirling wind was omnipresent. The reason is that winds from different vales arrive in Woodenbridge, as if to augment the inherent difficulties of the course itself.
Still, the opening hole is a gentle test, typical enough of the first few holes. The greens on this part of the course are of the traditional poa annua variety. Crummy surveys the slick second green and remarks, "these same greens have been here for a hundred years."
Not so the fourth, however. This is one of Woodenbridge's more famous offerings, perhaps the highpoint of the old nine. It is currently out of play, though. The "Punchbowl", as it is known, is being reconstructed (it should be ready for play next May) and Merrigan's imprint is obvious. "I can't wait for this hole to be ready," remarks Phelan, with obvious relish. The elevated green, surrounded by mounds and a devilish bunker, will be some three times bigger than the original one when ready for play and has been built to the same sand-based specifications used on the newer holes. At 183 yards long, with out-of-bounds (the River Avoca) to the left, it promises to be a real heartbreaker.
The fourth is the only hole on the old nine currently out of play (although a substitute par three is adequately filling the void and will be properly maintained in the future to provide relief should it be required) and the new tee-box constructed alongside it adds some 30 yards in length to the fifth hole, a fine par four.
A number of alterations, mainly mounding, are being carried out, tastefully, to some of the older holes, but the sixth is untouched and, as Phelan comments, "is still punitive." It measures 437 yards with out-of-bounds all the way up the left hand side and it takes a mighty second shot, and a brave one, to find the green, while the seventh hole is your classic drive and pitch hole to a green which resembles an upturned saucer.
The magic of the old nine is well known, but the new holes, now in play for three years, are enchanting. The first of these, the short eighth, just 123 yards to a Postage Stamplike green, is deceptive but gives a breather of sorts because all the other par threes are quite imposing.
Merrigan's use of water - inspired by the proximity of the Avoca (unfortunately, at present, a "dead" river due to the residue of the old copper mines further upstream) and the Aughrim rivers - is extremely effective and blends in extremely well with the natural beauty of this piece of the "Garden of Ireland."Indeed, there is a touch of history too, because the Holm Oak tree which guards the left side of the ninth fairway was reputedly a meeting place for John Redmond's followers, i.e. the Redmondites.
There isn't a weak hole among the new creations, and in particular the two par threes - the 11th and 17th - are as demanding as you'll find. And the 293 yards par four 14th hole (index 18 for the men) demonstrates that length is not everything, even in modern design. A tree is positioned wickedly in the middle of the fairway some 40 yards short of the green and although the really big hitters will be tempted to draw their tee-shot over the river or fade around the tree, the danger factor is inordinately high.
"These two finishing holes will make or break your card," remarks Crummy of the 17th, a par three over water (hidden from view from the tee) to a crescent green, and the 18th (the final hole on the old ninehole course), a par three which requires a well-struck tee-shot, not only to evade the river, but also for position.
Yes, Woodenbridge, with its friendly ambience and magnificent test of the game, will prove a beguiling encounter for one and all, as an increasing number of visitors are discovering.
