GALWAY GOLF COURSE – AN OASIS OF NATURE



GALWAY GOLF COURSE

A NATURAL RESOURCE

By Peadar O’Dowd (a doubtful golfer)

Viewed from across Galway Bay, the green rolling fairways of Galway Golf Course provide a much-needed natural oasis amid the sprawl of the city. As well as giving hours of pleasure to you, its members, its natural facilities provide a haven to many species of bird, plant and tree, which can be viewed at the leisure provided by a ball planted in the middle of the fairway. For those who persist in hooking drives, these words may be of little comfort.

HOLE No. 1

From its elevated position, the tee gives a panoramic view of Galway Bay, and rather worryingly, the first hint of water in the little turlough directly in front of you. Never mind, because if it’s filled with water, do admire the green-headed Mallard and his dusky mate – in bird life, it’s often the male that dresses best! Beyond, you have the first real water hazard in the shape of a near circular pond, usually empty except for warring Mute Swans fighting for tenant rights.

HOLE No. 2

The water hole, and the watery grave for so many fine drives. Be careful here, of course, because the resident pair of swans use this little circular lough as their nesting site, and also the base from which to attack any of their peers seeking similar facilities in the nearby waters in February each year. Battle is usually joined as the first streaks of light appear above the nearby diving tower, and early-rising golfers have faced near decapitation on a number of occasions by these feathered-cuffed birds. Mind you, these fighting swans don’t mind intrusions by Mallard or even the gentle Moorhen or “baldy” Coots onto their hallowed water.

HOLE No. 3.

Water to the left and water to the right, so straight out you go. The largest natural water feature now is a danger to the left, its semi-brackish water a host to creatures big and small. The most obvious in February are migrating Brent Geese, although they much prefer to park themselves on the fairway, their droppings adding a new hazard to golfing woes. Never mind, they are lovely birds to behold as they await low tide and the chance to waddle along the nearby shore. Thankfully, their numbers are usually too many for the nearby fighting twins, with forty-five being recorded here in January, 2004.

HOLE No. 4

Pine tree hazards, left and right, now greet the long hitter, while the first real nasty furze copse guards the fairway on the right. The pine trees harbour the buxom Wood Pigeon, whose ‘United’ call can be heard as Spring gives way to Summer and the grasses warm to the touch of the pitching wedge. Meanwhile, Winter 2005 has seen a new natural phenomenon in the shape of a clutch of Moorhens grazing beside the newly planted furze beds at the practice area with not a Wild Mink in sight!

HOLE No. 5

With sea and water expanses behind us, linear rivers of long-planted pine stretch towards the distant green. As Summer dawns, listen yet again to the Woodpigeon here, while also the male red-breasted Chaffinch joins in the chorus, with the odd passing Greenfinch adding also to the musical pitch. In the deciduous copses on either side, listen also for the little Wren, as he sheds Winter hibernation from his ruffled feathers and sends his shrill eager call looking for that mate.

HOLE No. 6

The tee here, surrounded by Pine, Beech and Ash, not forgetting that rich yellow veneer of Furze (in bloom so many times each year), hosts perhaps the jewel in the feathery crown of our golf course. Listen for the high-pitched ‘zii-zii’ call of the tiny Goldcrest, the smallest bird in Ireland, which nests here. If the eyesight is really good, see these minute birds sport the most elegant of crowns, orange or yellow edged in a black head-band only Philip Treacy could replicate. Sometimes the reason for bad drives by lady golfers here!

HOLE No. 7

Galway’s version of Amen Corner. Here is my favourite tee although I often duff my drive here in April and May. There is a sound reason for this, of course, because the Song Thrush is in full voice just then, his song consisting of repeats of rambling melodic notes as his mate sits on her nest in the lush growth of the multi-varied tree line verging the left-hand side of this long fairway. Switch to early September, and one must thread one’s second shots through low-flying Swallows, as they daisy-cut the fairway in fantastic turns of flight in pursuit of flies and nasty midges. Sunny Africa beckons just then, and we wish these twittering blue-black birds well for yet another year.

HOLE No. 8

Concentration is easily interrupted on the tee here, especially in the middle of the swing, if the small rookery overhead is in full throttle during late Spring. The noise can be intense just then, but spare a thought for those who live in the near vicinity of these noisy Rooks. Much nicer are the Blackbirds, often seen here also, because the mixture of garden and wild growing furze is just too much for this beautiful yellow-beaked bird, whose song compensates in March and April for the harsh cacophony overhead.

HOLE No. 9

The hole most associated with little Robin Red Breast, who will certainly let you know he’s there, even in the darkest days of Winter. Competition in sound can come from Wren, Green Finch and especially the Chaffinch in Spring, when love is in the air as emphasised by the cooing Woodpigeons in the nearby pine copse. Note how the cutaway furze is regenerating beside the tee and soon a blaze of yellow will finger point to the green of this favourite hole. Never mind if you drop into the little stream guarding the back of the green - admire the flowing water cress, which can hide small eels fresh up from the sea.

HOLE No. 10

Early morning Blackbirds or clubhouse-nesting Swallows may be a distraction as you start your back nine and then wonder did these high-flying Sand Martins guide your long drive into that facing bunker. Never mind, the flag beckons way off down below and see can you put the cluster of Jackdaws to flight from in front of the green. Enjoy the ‘ack-ack’ of nearby Magpies as you do just that. Yes, you are out in the country again.

HOLE No. 11

Although this is only a par three, concentration is at a premium as that damn Hooded Crow scolds you a thousand times from atop of those strangely-shaped pine trees outside the boundary fence. The flight of the Bumble Bee across your brow adds to the distraction as you plough your ball into the furze in front of you. Just say a little silent prayer to Jude, the saint of hopeless cases and enjoy the call of the nearby Wren – bigamy is not a crime in his little world!

HOLE No. 12

Sadly, the second drive here suffers from the first signs of feathered vandalism. The oily-coated (sign of a good Winter) Rook, Crow to you and me, has been at work, and pitch marks are more evident than usual as our dark friend neatly turns over each well-healed scraw in search of that tasty morsel. Sometimes the Black-headed Gull joins in and choice language can be heard here, emitting usually from disgruntled male golfers who duff third shots because of what they claim are potholes. You have to have some excuse! Or perhaps it’s distraction from this year’s cluster of Swallows as they daisy-cut the fairway beside the green that causes scores to mount. Golf can be full of such distractions for those who always find the fairway!

HOLE No. 13

Forget yet another scolding, this time from a Great-backed Gull atop the nearby ball alley. Concentrate! However, the thunderous clap of pigeon wings as three alight on the nearby ivy of the boundary wall is not what you need just now. Naturally, you know what should be put into each black berry swallowed by these gluttons as you contemplate escape from the pot-bellied bunker on the right of the not-too-distant green.

HOLE No. 14

There is no truth in the rumour that Ian Woosnam almost killed a hovering Kestrel on the lookout for young rabbits during the 1984 Quinncentennial golf tournament as he drove the green from this elevated tee. Lesser mortals often have other targets to aim for, however, because groups of birds, such as Rooks, Black-headed Gulls, and Starlings like to congregate within the landing range. We wouldn’t like to hit any of them, of course, just a gentle hint to leave our fairways alone!

HOLE No. 15

More furze to contend with here as we send our drive on its way – the blaze of brilliant yellow can be hard to contend with, especially if these prickly plants are inhabited by Coal Tits, or even the beautifully coloured Blue Tits, who also delight in plucking a million insects from the pine trees on our left. The mark of Rooks are evident here also as we climb the hill - divots lie uncovered, disturbed by these glossy-blacked, purple-sheened and baggy-trousered ruffians. At least, they don’t steal our golf balls as their cousins did out in Tuam golf course some years ago.

HOLE No. 16

Never mind the Sahara facing you as you drive, but as you reach for that sand wedge on the way down from the tee, prepare for a shock if the day is warm, bright and the two clumps of variant buddleias on your right are covered in Red Admirals, the most exotic of our butterflies. These branches have sagged in seas of black, white and rusty brown at special times in June and July, with up to two dozen or so of these beautiful creatures decorating each branch in a frenzy of Summer colour Van Gogh never even knew. Escape from the Sahara is but an afterthought after this.

HOLE No. 17

While the corner is always there to test mere mortals, spare a thought for these poor unseen divot-chasing Rooks or marauding household cats when heavenly missiles land about them and instant flight is called for at the most inconvenient times. Shaggy-flanked foxes have been seen on this fairway in the past, but the past is the past now, and only straggly flocks of inbound Starlings may alight here in the winter months, asylum seekers of the feathery clan.

HOLE No. 18

A blind drive over yet more furze might bring down a high-flying multi-coloured Goldfinch or even a tail-dragging Magpie as we head for home on the final lap. Sometimes, if the weather is really severe, the black and white flash of Oyster Catchers have been seen in the former swampy landing area in front of the last green, while frost will bring the odd Fieldfare and even Redwing on to the course. Reed Buntings have been noted in the watery section to the right top corner of this fairway, but you know your round is complete when the resident Robin greets you as you clean your gear. Obviously, Nature is never far from you on this marvellous city course.

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