Ah, St. Patrick’s Day. Ireland is home to this festive holiday, great green “swing oil” and some of the world’s most sought-after golf experiences, accounting for many golfers’ must-play bucket-list locales.
So what makes this charming area so desirable? Its rugged, historical courses and off-course stops are just the start. A sampling of Ireland courses follows.
Co. Sligo Golf Club
One of the oldest golf courses in Ireland (founded in 1894) and one of the founding clubs of the Golf Union of Ireland, Co. Sligo GC is situated five miles west of the town of Sligo in an area known as Rosses Point. Sligo is a true links course with no trees and ever-present winds. It also hosts the West of Ireland Championship each Easter, one of the country’s four national amateur championships. The view from the fifth hole, The Jump, which tumbles from the highest point on the course down into the valley, is breathtaking. Info: www.countysligogolfclub.ie
Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Links
There are 45 holes in this complex, including the Old Course (with nine holes designed by Old Tom Morris in 1892) and Ruddy’s dramatically situated Sandy Hill Links course, which runs along the sand dunes overlooking the Old Course. Tom Doak has been brought in to rework the greens on the nine holes that connects with the Old Course. As the name indicates, there’s a hotel on the property. Info: www.rosapenna.ie
Portsalon GC
Consider this to be one of the “hidden gems” of any journey to this area. The club was founded in 1890, nearly went under a couple of decades ago, and then was reborn by members and remodeled by Pat Ruddy. Portsalon GC is a wonderfully quirky layout that melds the old (a cross marks the spot where ancient religious groups worshiped) and the new in a winsome way. Info: www.portsalongolfclub.ie
Ballyliffin GC
If Portsalon is the “hidden gem,” Ballyliffin might be the biggest surprise because its two top-quality layouts are studies in contrast. The Old Course, which Old Tom Morris reportedly had a hand in designing, has recently been renovated by Nick Faldo’s company. Nonetheless, it remains golf as nature designed it with fairways that meander over the land carved by wind and rain. Ruddy and Tom Craddock made ample use of modern earth-moving equipment to carve the Glashedy Links between mounds and hillocks with a surprising amount of elevation. Playing — and walking — this course is quite a challenge. A striking new clubhouse adds to the enjoyment. Info: www.ballyliffingolfclub.com
Located within a half-hour of each other are three excellent courses:
Portstewart GC
Most people come here to play the Strand Course, a championship layout with dramatic views and huge dunes covered with Marron Grass. Walking this course is a real challenge, so expect to take longer than normal (in Ireland) to complete a round even if the wind isn’t howling. If you’re looking for an easier round, consider the Riverside course, a par-68 layout. The Old Course (which dates from 1894) is actually located east of the clubhouse. Info: www.portstewartgc.co.uk
Castlerock GC
Far less known than its two neighbors, Castlerock exudes the flavor of a family home. It’s located within the town limits and prides itself on being part of the town. The 27 holes includes the championship Mussenden Course, where the best-known hole, “Leg O’Mutton,” is a 200-yard, testing par-3 with a railroad track lying just to the right of the hole. Info: www.castlerockgc.co.uk
Royal Portrush GC
Although the club dates from 1888, it became famous when H.S. Colt redesigned the Dunluce Links in 1947; four years later, it became the first Irish course to host The Open Championship, and has gone on to be the site of numerous championships. One of the world’s most scenic layouts, many holes have panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The club also has the Valley Course, but it’s the Dunluce Course (named for the nearby ancient Dunluce Castle) that everyone should play. Info: www.royalportrushgolfclub.com
Royal County Down
About three hours south of the Antrim Coast lies Royal County Down, indisputably one of the finest courses in the world and site of the 2007 Walker Cup matches won by the United States. Situated in Newcastle, where (to quote the oft-repeated words of Percy French, “The Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea”), Royal County Down draws raves from everyone who visits. Tom Watson says, “It is a tremendous test of golf and the outward half especially is as fine a nine holes as I have ever played.” Info: www.royalcountydown.org
If you fly into Dublin and begin your tour from there, you can travel south from Newcastle and return to Ireland’s capital, where, among the many courses in the region, are:
Portmarnock Hotel Golf Links
Designed by former Masters champion Bernhard Langer and located on the grounds of a five-star hotel, these links opened in 1995. It’s also less than a mile from the venerable Portmarnock GC, site of the 1991 Walker Cup and many playings of the Irish Open. Info: www.portmarnock.com
