Whistling straits, which has already gained honourable mention here, is to be the venue for the 2004 USPGA Championship. But the high-profile Wisconsin development is back in the news - with an interesting, Irish slant - because of a second 18, which recently had its official opening.

The original 18, designed by Pete Dye and situated on top of bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, is said to have all the elements of an Irish links, because of its moonscape of sand dunes and pot bunkers. Now, the neighbouring layout, also designed by Dye, is to be called the "Irish Course".

As with the original course, the Americans believe they can fully justify the Irish connection. We are informed that Dye has sculpted more sand dunes from flat farmland and deliberately included some blind shots, bump-and-runs and awkward bounces in its overall length of 7,203 yards. Just like Royal, Co Down, and Lahinch you might say, except that some critics had suggested that it is more Dyeish than Irish. Ouch.