Rich Mulligan scopes out a putt on the new Mulligan Course, named after his father, at Ballyneal Golf Club. —Johnson Publications
Jim Roberts of Wray prepares to putt at the new Mulligan Course at Ballyneal Golf Club. Owner John Curlander, pictured at left, and Rich Mulligan joined him in the first round of golf at the opening ceremony. —Johnson Publications
12 new holes now open
“Charlie loved Ballyneal; it was his second family.” Myrna Mulligan seemed right at home herself as she took in the opening ceremony of the new golf course that honors her late husband.
Last Thursday, July 13, Myrna was joined by her son Rich, club owner John Curlander and family friend Jim Roberts at Ballyneal for the opening ceremony of Mulligan Course. Although Charlie’s other son, Skip, could not be there, he intends to be at the course’s grand opening this fall.
As the men played the first round, talk of Charlie was frequent, and everyone agreed that he would have been proud of the course.
Charlie is known as the original caddie at Ballyneal. His close friend Roberts, however, let it be known that the two of them debated that title often. As Roberts tells it, the two became friends because they were the only people who would walk the course at Wray Country Club. Roberts was the one who told Charlie about Ballyneal when it first opened in 2006. With time, the “senior caddie” came to know every inch of the course and became the club historian.
He was known for his commitment to caddying well, as well as mentoring the younger caddies. In May of 2016, Charlie was awarded an honorary lifetime membership at the club.
Charlie died just less than a year ago at the age of 71, and his death was truly a loss to the Ballyneal community. Myrna said that even as Charlie’s health declined, he still wanted to go out to Ballyneal and keep caddying.
Mulligan Course was designed by Tom Doak of Renaissance Golf Design, who also designed the original 18 holes at Ballyneal. The Mulligan, in contrast, consists of 12 greens that can be played to eight-hole and 10-hole loops. The holes on the par-3 course range from 85-190 yards, all on winding terrain.
According to the Ballyneal website, “The unique layout allows for a golfer’s creativity to be expressed both in the shots they mold and the order in which they play the holes.” The new course is meant to be an expression of the land, the game and the player.
Curlander, quite pleased with the new addition to Ballyneal, said the course is harder than it looks.
Also on the Mulligan July 13 was Jon King, who was the first member to play a round on the new course. He was accompanied by Ballyneal’s general manager Dave Hensley, course superintendent Jared Kalina, director of operations Kent Hiller and facilities manager Pat Vasa for the occasion.
With the course’s opening ceremony completed, the Mulligan is now open for play; club members and their guests are already enjoying the new challenge.