First-timers on the TurfNet Trip this year likely didn't realize that as they were eating their Full Irish breakfast in the dining room of the Grand Hotel in Malahide, the golf course easily seen directly across the estuary is the Island Golf Club, founded in 1890.

Some of our group had played a very early morning round at the Island in 2010, and we added it again in 2011 as the site of the TurfNet Emerald Challenge.

Our tee times were pushed to the afternoon to accommodate a morning member event (but also giving us time to visit Croke Park), so we barely squeezed in 18 holes as the lights across the water in Malahide were twinkling and the lights of the clubhouse beckoned as the last group headed down 18 at about 7:00.

Looking across holes16 and 15 in late afternoon.

Kas Kachmarek, father of Joel and Mark Kachmarek, endeared himself to many on the trip with his wit and quiet charm.  Upon viewing the Island up close, he simply said, "Lots of bunkers and long grass...". Indeed.

Obviously a very old course, the rustic feel of the wind-blown dunes remains, with hardly a level spot anywhere on the course.

Nice up by Joan Colleran on 16 as the light starts to fade.  She hit the flagstick with this shot.

An enterprising caddie suggested that the photographer get in the group, so here's a rare photo of Peter McCormick with Kas, Mark and Joel Kachmarek (our first two brothers and father group), with Joan Colleran.