Irish Golf and More
Sure, anyone who dreams of golfing in Ireland first thinks about the spectacular seaside links courses that ring the island, as well they should, since they are among the best in the world. Names like Ballybunion, Carne, Waterville, Lahinch, Tralee, just to mention a few, have become as synonymous with Irish links golf as Guinness is to Irish beer.
But, if you have the time, there is so much more to golf in Ireland. After playing a few links courses and traveling no more than a few miles inland from the dunes-lined coast, there are hundreds and hundreds of fine parkland courses that await, like well-known Adare Manor and The K Club, both of which have or will host the Ryder Cup matches. But there are many, many more little known parkland golf clubs, especially in the “sunny southeast” of the country.
Playing with Local Golf Clubs
Closest to “home” was the New Ross Golf Club in County Wexford, so we thought it the perfect place to begin. Like many Irish courses that trace their origin to the first three decades of the 20th century (similar to the course building boom in the USA), NRGC was built in 1907 and improved over the years. Originally 9 holes, it was expanded to 18 and redesigned by Irish golf legend Des Smyth in 1995. Its multiple doglegs wind up and down through gigantic pines, oaks and beeches, requiring precise shots to avoid punch-outs from the trees.
Joining Open Competitions
Many less-known Irish courses host “Open Competitions”, where visitors may be able to play with members in a variety of tournaments. I signed up to play in the “Champagne Scramble” at Enniscorthy Golf Club, in County Wexford. The competition was friendly and fun topped by the inevitable pint and “slainte (slancha)” at the close.
Courses in Waterford
Waterford, home of world-famous crystal, oldest city in Ireland established by Viking invaders in the 900s, has several excellent courses, none of which were played by the Norsemen. If they had, perhaps some of that need for raping, pillaging, looting, and burning could have been replaced by hotly contested side bets, broken and thrown clubs, etc.
Hidden Gem: Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club
If ever there is an Irish parkland course that flies under the radar, Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club in eastern County Wexford screams out as a “hidden gem”. Not that it’s hiding, but often simply overlooked in favor of all the fantastic seaside links golf that Ireland offers.
Seaside Links Courses
Two seaside links courses awaited to finish the trip. The European Club is the culmination of Pat Ruddy’s illustrious career as Ireland’s premier designer. Tough and gritty Arklow Golf Links doesn’t get the respect it deserves when it comes to a discussion of Irish seaside courses.
Final Thoughts
Throughout all our rounds on this memorable trip, we did not once see a house or other building along a fairway except the clubhouse. We did not see one billboard along a roadway. We saw very few pickup trucks, despite this being agriculture country, but we frequently encountered huge tractors, even on the limited-access roads! This is Ireland. Treasure it.
The post IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE LINKS COURSES appeared first on Northeast Golf.
Article Link: Exploring the Unseen Beauty of Irish Golf Courses Beyond the Links