Irish golf-writer-turned-architect Pat Ruddy, designer of The European Club, releases his latest book

I got a package in the mail the other day from a new friend.

It was a pleasant surprise from Pat Ruddy, the interesting Irishman I met last summer while playing his magical links, The European Club, located south of Dublin in County Wicklow.

Ruddy was kind enough to send along his latest book, “Beyond His Lordship’s Wildest Dream, ROSAPENNA,” a chronicle of his relationship with the Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort over the years.

Ruddy built the highly regarded Sandy Hills Course at Rosapenna (see photo below). I’m sure he’d love one last shot at architectural glory on an Irish links by helping Rosapenna build its latest course (read about it here). I’d suspect he’s a long shot since he’s already done work there. The Casey family, the resort owners, is probably looking for a more international name, as well as variety in its architects.

During my visit to The European Club last summer (see photos here), Ruddy was kind enough to take me inside his sacred library, home to a massive collection of rare and valuable golf books. Ruddy (pictured above) pulled out a few for me to peruse. He handled each like they were a baby bird, gently opening them and turning a few pages. The care showed how much the man loves his books.

Ruddy took his own photos of Sandy Hills for use in the publication, much like he did in his 2012 book, “The Perfect Golf Links” about the European Club. His other title, “Fifty Years in a Bunker,” was first published in 2007. All three are available for purchase at the course Web site, www.theeuropeanclub.com.

Ruddy was as fine a host as I’ve ever met in all my travels. He’s full of charm and wit and a little bit of lovable kookiness, too. Some of that comes out in his writing, but it’s best experienced in first person.

I hope I can make it back soon to The European Club (see the bottom photo). Not to exact my revenge on a stunning links that had its way with me but to say hello to one of the great gentlemen of golf.