About
Irishman, of farming family background. Graduate in agricultural science from University College Dublin. Interest in sport and golf developed from an early age which later led to departing the academic world of agricultural science and working with the renowned Irish golf course architect Eddie Hackett at the links in Waterville in the seventies. The links made an indelible impression on his design philosophy evident in his creations.
Departing Waterville, he set out alone consulting to golf courses on course management, golf course agronomy drainage and course enhancements. In 1997 Merrigan was elected a member of the British Institute of Golf Course Architects following a period of study and examination.
A background in soil science, a practical sense of learning by doing, a passion for the game and an imaginative innovative creative mind, formed the basis for a professional career in golf course architecture.He has travelled widely ..to China, Africa, Continental Europe and America studying the great courses of the world.
His design philosophy embraces great personal attention to detail during the construction phase .. which he personally supervises, his design being sympathetic to nature, player and maintenance.
He has worked with a wide range of terrain types in differant climatic conditions, designing and building golf courses to suit the needs of the market, budget and landscape. For example, Slieve Russell golf course was built on swamp land, now a leading PGA course on the European Tour. Similarly, the Old Head Golf Links, on the Irish South Coast was fashoined out of virgin heathland atop cliffs in excess of 100m above ocean level, aimed at the American and International descerning golfing market. Indeed it has been aclaimed worldwide. In contrast he has also designed an 27 hole municipal golf complex aimed at the average and novice golfer and funded by South Dublin local aurthority, selling in excess of 50,000 rounds of golf annually.
