The current champion and past Irish Open winners have applauded a decision to take the 2014 Irish Open back to Fota Island at Cobh in Co. Cork.
The European Tour will finally rubber stamp next Monday confirmation of the venue and the event to be staged from 19th – 22nd June.
While Fota Island hosted the 2001 and 2002 Irish Open the parkland gem has been without a major event since staging the 2007 Seniors Irish Open.
England’s Paul Casey is the reigning Irish Open winner and is looking for a big ‘home town’ support.
Reigning Irish Open winner Paul Casey hoping for ‘local’ support at Fota Island . (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
“I want to say the name Casey is a southern Irish name, and I want to say also it is from the Cork area so hopefully I will get a lot of followers despite an overwhelming interest, of course, in Irish players,” he smiled.
“But then it’s a great decision as I played both Irish Opens down there and when Freddie Jacobsen had a hole-in-one and we all got free Murphy’s as they were the sponsor.
“It was also really hot one year and everyone was eating ice creams so it should be good fun and I don’t know whether the course suits me as I can’t remember much about the layout only the last is downhill other than where Seve (Ballesteros) I think took an ‘11’ in 2002 and his last Irish Open appearance.”
Naturally, Padraig Harrington is also supportive of the move having won the 2007 Irish Open at Adare Manor and just weeks before his Brititsh Open triumph while he has fond memories of capturing the 1995 Irish Stroke-Play title at Fota Island.
“I got the heads up from the Tour it’s not going to be announced to Monday but then news of Fota Island is all over the place,” said Harrington.
“It’s a great venue. It really is. It’s an all-inclusive place, and just a good venue for the Irish Open.”
Darren Clarke has confirmed his presence in Cobh but remembers Fota Island for contrasting reasons.
“The two Irish Open’s at Fota Island were really successful and especially there at 18 with water all around the hole, and the course will have matured a lot since we were there the last time,” he said.
“But then it was the only time in my career I was warned for slow play. I have to say also it was not really me who was the problem.”
And Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, who won the third of three Irish Open’s in 2001 at Fota Island, recalls vividly a double delight 13 years ago.
“I stayed that week with John Magnier and it was the weekend also his horse, Gallileo won the Irish Derby and I was staying with him, and I won the Irish Open so it was a good weekend for both of us,” said Monty.
“It’s my style of golf course where you have to keep the ball in play and hit it very straight. I played the last round when I won with Adam Scott and managed to hold on and that was 2001.”
