Pitch and putt club to swing back to former glory shortly

By Mary Dennehy

THE Creek Pitch and Putt club in Rathfarnham is swinging back into action after the unique family-run facility was forced to close its doors last August after 52 years on the green.

Opened by Billy Walsh in 1964, the Creek closed following a tough decision by Billy’s wife Jean who, running the club since her husband’s death 20 years ago, was faced with rising insurance costs and dwindling numbers attending the Rockbrook club.

Known for its challenging course, which criss-crosses the Owendore river in several locations, the 18-hole, five-acre Creek Pitch and Putt club has been taken over by Knocklyon resident Niall Fitzharris – who runs the nearby Hazel House woodwork school and craft café.

Located three minutes up the road from the Creek in Tibradden, Hazel House is home to woodwork classes and a craft café – which, open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner, sells crafts made by Niall and other local artists.

Niall told The Echo: “When I heard the Creek was closing I thought it was an awful shame, it’s a beautiful spot and I played it many times as a kid growing up in Knocklyon.

“The more I thought about it, the more I realised that the Creek was a good fit for Hazel House and, while it’s not connected, it’s only three minutes down the road.”

He added: “The club needed somebody to take it over and it needed a lot of work, which we are doing at the moment in the hope of opening in May.

“It’s a great asset to the local area and really is a beautiful spot.

“We offer a range of classes and team-building events to schools and business here at Hazel House and believe that the Creek will also give us another activity to offer those who visit.

“It will also provide a great amenity to the local community, who can drop up for a coffee or a bit of breakfast or lunch in Hazel House before or after a game of pitch and putt.”

Niall told The Echo that work to restore the Creek to its former glory, with a few new twists, is currently ongoing in anticipation of a May opening.

He is also working alongside a greenskeeper in developing the course to a professional standard.

For further information visit the Hazel House Facebook page, the Creek Pitch and Putt by the Hazel House Facebook page or www.hazelhouse.ie