Strong St Andrews connection at Lough Erne

• The Nick Faldo-designed course at Lough Erne has been described as the 'new Loch Lomond'

It has come across the Irish Sea, where the pair are now part of the management team at the excellent Lough Erne Golf Resort just outside Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh.

Designed by Nick Faldo, the championship course has been described as 'the new Loch Lomond' and it certainly enjoys a similar stunning location to the home of the Scottish Open.

Water comes into play at 14 holes and on the course's signature hole, the par-4 tenth, the green is guarded by the Lough on three sides.

A bit like at The Carrick on Loch Lomond, the views are stunning when you play the long sixth and, in particular, stand on the tee at the seventh, a real risk-and-reward hole.

Faldo has created a course that's tight in places but one that is highly enjoyable, the test being continued right to the end with three excellent closing holes in front of the Loughside Lodges and the resort's five-star hotel that includes a Thai Spa.

Lough Erne has been described as 'the hottest thing to come out of Northern Ireland since Rory McIlroy' - the rising European Tour star is the resort's touring professional - and it's easy to see why.

• The scenic tenth is Lough Erne's signature hole

Highly luxurious, it's the complete package in terms of a top-class golfing resort, with Stapleton, the general manager, and Campbell, the director of golf, certainly having found somewhere on a par with the Old Course Hotel.

Gavin Rimmer, the resort's executive assistant manager - rooms, and Andy Peoples, the golf services supervisor, also worked at the world-famous St Andrews hotel before moving to Northern Ireland.

Since the course last July, it has hosted just over 7,000 rounds and, as Scottish golfers look for new places to play this year, it's likely that many will be making the short journey over the Irish Sea to enjoy the Lough Erne experience.