The Belfry, Medinah, Hazeltine… Limerick?

There’s plans afoot down in Adare, County Limerick. Could the small Limerick town really be preparing for the greatest show in golf?

Picture it — miles of traffic as far as the eye can see, shades of rich red and proud blue under blistering sunshine. Chants, pride, craic, golden pints flowing like sweet nectar as the banter brigade rolls into full swing.

The best golfers on earth, the WAGs, the lucrative brands. Perhaps even a guest appearance from the King of Doonbeg and former US president himself. Not to mention the lushest, best drained, most technologically advanced golfing pasture in Europe.

Where is the location of this remarkable event, you ask? “Stab City”, naturally.

JP McManus, one of Limerick’s most famous and influential philanthropists, undertook the mammoth project of completely restoring and re-imagining the world famous resort at Adare Manor — nestled near the scenic Limerick/Kerry border — nearly 18 months ago.

Why would such an iconic and proud Irishman be willing to renovate an already top-class golf course? Surely he has some big end game in sight?

Whisperings drew comparisons to “the Augusta of Europe”, contributing to an extraordinary rumour that is gaining traction, it seems, month on month. Could the county Limerick club become the second Irish host of the Ryder Cup, the most decorated prize in team golf, if not golf itself? As a local and avid golf fan the notion seems laughable — until you stop and think about it.

Bar the odd teaser photo triggering a media shitstorm, the whole thing is being kept largely under wraps, building the anticipation in a glorious fashion — not willing to reveal the world-class new entrance, hotel, facilities, driving range, and naturally, course itself. It’s how McManus has always operated; professional, tidy, no-nonsense, and only revealed when the moment is optimal.

The sheer scale of the renovation is terrifying. Every tee-box, bunker, green and inch of fairway and rough has been stripped and replaced with the most up to date, modern drainage and aeration technology, to ensure the course retains it’s former status as the number one parkland on the island.

New features like “Pure Distinction” sod will ensure perfectly rolling putting surfaces, while “SubAir” will provide constant airflow. Basically, it’ll be an all-weather course in an extremely unpredictable Irish climate.

Imagine Tiger and Rory throwing shapes in Limerick’s Icon — the famous night haunt to locals and visitors alike — to dodgy renditions of Mr. Brightside, before politely being asked to move on for rowdiness and causing an international shifting scandal in the nearby Angel Lane.

Picture literally hundreds of thousands flowing, like an economic treasure trail, to every facet of Limerick, indeed, Munster, spending, experiencing, spreading the vibe that — shocking though it might be to believe — Limerick isn’t really that bad.

There’s a decent chance that you won’t get your head blown off if you visit for a weekend, and its an opportunity the region is in desperate need of. We just need a break, and JP realises its an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy based upon this.

It’s major. It’s absolutely a once in a generation opportunity to put the region on the map. If Ireland can host the Rugby World Cup in 2023, why the hell not the Ryder Cup in 2026?

The first major event to be held in the new course will be JP’s Pro-Am in 2020, and, knowing him, will draw a few very easily recognisable faces, which should boost the profile of the resort all the more, especially under the gaze of Ryder Cup organizers.

I can see it now — Patrick Reed and Phil Mickelson devouring battered sausages in Donkey Ford’s after a morning’s foresomes. Miguel Angel Jíminez getting lost on his way home from Costelloe’s famous tavern and puffing an aged Columbian cigar whilst raving with the Rubberbandits in Southill.

Not to mention essential photo-ops for Jordan Spieth getting a tour and culture lesson around Thomond Park, or Henrik Stenson perched rightfully on a turret of King John’s ancient and proud castle.

It’s probably wisest not to speculate on what Dustin Johnson might get up to; needless to say the famous Univerisity of Limerick student village, College Court, would more than likely have an extra occupant for a night or two of mild to moderate socialising.

What was once a pipe dream is fast becoming plausible. Maybe it’s not as big a deal to people from outside the region, but to those of us who seem to have to travel east for any major national, and certainly, international event, it’s huge. It will place the world’s gaze on Limerick for four beautiful days in late September, boosting the region beyond any comprehension.

Economically, socially, commercially and culturally, if this were to happen it would, in many respects, be the final piece in the “regeneration” notion surrounding Limerick, which could, hopefully, finally put her troubled past to bed once and for all. For JP McManus, it would truly leave a lasting legacy for one of Limerick’s greatest sons.