The downturn was tough for big resorts such as spectacular Mount Juliet in Co Kilkenny but things are changing at the Jack Nicklaus designed track which has taken on Waterford native Kevin Phelan as its touring professional.

Like the 46A bus to Dun Laoghaire, which would take an age to come and then arrive with another stuck to its exhaust pipe, there are signs that things are about to start moving apace in Irish golf.