Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: jeffwarne on May 18, 2011, 08:37:15 PM
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So I returned yesterday from what I consider the best golf trip I've ever taken in terms of variety, fun, quirk, scenery and just plain raw golf.
On the way to the airport I stopped at a Radio Shack and bought a digital camera, got to the airport went to charge the battery and discovered the store clerk had failed to put the camera back in the box :o ??? :-[ :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
So basically this thread will die on the vine without any pictures............but
here are my thoughts on the 11 courses we visited.
Day 1
Donegal GC
Fairways considerably narrower than I remembered, Good links course with many fine holes-
Perhaps not overwhelmingly memorable a week later but a really good links course.
I remember it being big and quite wide when I was there in '97-it appeared the rough had been brought in that more pot bunkers were prevelant, but I could be wrong about the bunkers.
Quite scenic with a few holes near the water, dunes, and an enchanting looking evergreen forest on the other side of the course
a warm reception in the bar afterward by the captain and good hospitality.
a good first day course to visit and introduce links golf to the group-weather rainy and a stiff wind with intermittant breaks of sun
Day 2
Narin and Portnoo
Outstanding, wild, scenic, dramatic.......yet a very simple place.
A few new holes since I was there last, which now creates 3 consecutive par 5s, two of which were into the teeth of a 25-30 mph wind which wreaked havoc with the amateurs.
Simply a stunning morning despite several squalls blowing through along with sun and varying conditions in a stiff breeze.
No fences around the greens anymore and #1 doesn't play over 18 green anymore-the first hole is a bit busy with pot bunkers, a creek, and high graass on one side with OB on the other, but apart from that fantastic.
I can remember every hole.
Great hospitality prior to our arrival from the pro Connor Mallon, who was away the day we played, but we were treated well in his absense.
Cruit Island
I had heard a few GCA negatives about this course but our group simply had a blast.
Much more architectural interest than I expected, no doubt increased by the 25-30 mph winds blowing.
Brilliant sunshine mixed with showers enhanced the incredibly dramatic scenery,
There is far more great golf here than just the incredible 6th hole.(which we played twice in our 10 hole match)
I lost 4 balls in 11 rounds in Ireland and three of them occured on my 2 plays of the sixth hole at Cruit!
Big shout out to Donal O'Cellaigh whose father arranged to have 4 members meet our group, play with us and enjoy a great evening at the bar in the incredibly well situated clubhouse.
I of course jumped on the group with 2 members and knew we were in great shape when the former Captain conceded my birdie putt on the first hole explaining we already had a net eagle and a birdie from the two members.
Great hospitality and a really fun course with stunning views.
The drive out to the course is amazing.
Ironically, I ran into a former caddie at our club who was there with his father, the only other people on the course.
Stayed in Bunbeg at Teac Campbel(very interesting and nice guest house)-the owner knew Donal and his father and helped us to arrange the games at Cruit and gweedore.
more to come
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just did a long post on day 3 and 4 that timed out ??? ::) :-[ :'( :'(
try again tomorrow
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Cruit is best played with no other groups around. It has several blind shots that can land in another fairway. N/P is a blast. I may have played it on your recommendation, Jeff.
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Narin & Portnoo is one of my favorite courses. And it has great scenery.
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sounds like a very cool trip, look forward to reading more about it
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Day 3
Gweedore-9 holes
The weather was cool and blustery with periods of rain, clouds and sunshine (at just the right moments over the water)
Donal O'Cellaigh's father(in cahoots with Charlie Cambell from our b&b) graciously arranged for 4 members to meet and escort our group complete with a kid from Queens who showed up out of the blue and joined the group.
Again I grabbed 2 members and once again I was rewarded with the hot hand in the form of one of our 15 handicap amateurs who caught fire.
The first hole winds inauspiciously around a boundary marker which I played well wide of and was rewarded with an ideal angle where I proceeded to bogie the hole from anyway by running it through the green with my downwind pitch and run.
The second hole(a short/medium par 3 into a howling wind) has a difficult perched green that falls away on the edges. despite this I pitched to tap in length and was patting myself on my back as my partner chipped in for a net one (so much for difficult perched greens)
The third hole tee shot occupies the last uninteresting ground and turns uphill passing through a sheep fence to a severely sloping left to right green placed precisiely as the ground lays and adds great interest to the second shot and subsequent recovery/putts.
It works perfectly as we are now in a large area maintained by sheep where all grass is cropped perfectly close and firm by sheep.
Even with a semiblind second it was easy to tell what shot was required, yet not so easy to execute and pull off the shot.
Yes I three-putted my putt with 15 feet of break from behind the hole.
Four is played downhill to a longish par with the estuary on the left and a boundary on the right-played away from the spectacular view of the ocean and estuary behind us.
I witnessed the funniest shot seen in awhile there when my amateur toped his second shot through the closely cropped boundary area, caught a downslop and exploded back onto the fairway in front of the green.
The most difficult feature of the hole was a paved road which ran in fron of the green and had to be factored into the obligatory run-up approach as it was downwind.
Five is long uphill par 5 played into the teeth of the wind with a 200+ yard wide fairway.
I found this area of the course fascinating as the sheep had cut it all to one height, yet the landscape was littered with scenic small rock outcroppings which provided natural hazards. Given the wind conditions, the player had to come in from the correct angle or holding the sloped greens was all but impossible.
Donal's father pointed out the bunker Donal had painstakingly built over several weeks during his Captaincy (the father's)which had caused quite a stir at the time.
The bunker has since been changed/eroded.
In the middle of the hole you crest the hill and are treated to a spectacular view of the ocean and estuary.
6 is a medium par 4 from an elevation played down again towards the water.
Again you can pick your angle depending upon the wind/pin.
Truly a glorious feeling aiming at a 200 yard wide" fairway" in such a setting.(fairway may imply flat, but the terrain was anyathing but flat with multiple valleys and ridges and and an overall tilt toward the water behind,left and right-rolling would best describe it-and I don't think a camera would capture it)
7 plays back up the hill and central feature of the courseand is a long difficult hole, the second 1/2 of which plays beyond the fence again and out of the perpetual fairway,
8 and 9 are good holes played on the more mundane terrain near the clubhouse, 8 enhanced by a difficult 2 tiered green with a large dip in front of the green. I did birdie 9 to salvage our match ;D
Donal's father and the goup which included the current Captain couldn't have been nicer, regailing us with stories about the history and future plans for the place (many new greens were being constructed with the plan to have less course on the common grazing grounds and more on their property.
While I wasn't clear on the future layout, I do know that losing the holes on the huge grazing area would be a loss and would take away from the incredible uniqueness and even the strategy involved in such a large fairway.(to say nothing of the incredible views and largeness of the place)
It appeared #3 green was going away and I found that to be a fascinating green and greensite (which were one and the same)
They did explain that playing through sheep dung got a bit tiresome......
All in all an unforgettable and unique experience.
Dunfanaghy
weather about the same 20 mph wind, some squalls, some sun.
Played in the "14 hole Dunfanaghy Open"( for 10 euros each for the 6 amateurs,free for the pros ;D)
We paid 15 so we could play all 18.
Stunning views all around, played over some flat land early, but interesting well designed holes routed around and though manageable fescueand a few burns.
In the middle of the course the holes climb and 7 through 10 are spectacular scenic holes played near/over pieces of the bay/estuary with great views of both and the beach.
15-18 are a difficult stretch with 16 playing uphill to a plateau green with views around another inlet and the course and 17 a stout par 3 along the inlet in a scenic little area.
Many tucked pins which made it difficult to get close with the wind if you had taken a safe line off the tee,(which I tend to do on a first time play and on a course with multiple boundaries on one side)
All in all a scenic and hospitable place.
Very well worth playing
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Day 4
Rosapena Old Tom Morris
played this in '97 and again in 07.
The new Strand nine designed by Pat Ruddy and tweaked by Tom Doak is now used as the front nine,replacing the holes on the high land of the old back nine which had been bastardized in recent years by development, but did contain several noteworthy holes.
The Strand nine was good, perhaps a little bit of valley golf, but 9 good holes nonetheless routed(thankfully) through dunes smaller than on the sandy Hills course, but larger than those on the Old front nine of the Morris course (now the back nine)
Greens in rough condition, the only poor greens we played.
The back nine now starts (after an awkward through the parking lot and by the large clubhouse) at a 90 degree angle to the Old second hole on the Morris course, making it a dogleg left as it joins the old second fairway in the landing zone, The old high ground of the first hole and second tee has also succumbed to development.
The rest of this nine contains some subtle as well as spectacular holes in the gently rolling, ideal linksland.Bumpy fairways, strategy,a driveable par 4, good yet walkable elevation changes and some very interesting golf.
One of my favorite nines in links golf and the reason we played there and not Sandy Links which I played in 07.
The Strand nine has a feel of Sandy Links, sort've "sandy Links light", without the blisters and lost balls.
Weather,rainy, windy, with some breaks.
The place has a very sterile feel to me(I stayed there in 07),and I miss the old days of paying in the pub in Downings as the clubhouse is at best awkward
Portsalon
Going in one of my favorite courses in the world.
still is.
Great friendly welcome by Grace in the clubhouse and by the barman, despite the chaos of Holy Communion gatherings in the clubhouse.
Tried to eat lunch at Sarah's(one of my favorite haunts along with Store's pub next door) just beyond the clubhouse on the water , but they had the same Communion gatherings.
The second hole is just spectacular, downhill over and around an estuary which forms a wonderful cape, before turning into a burn in front of the green to punish those who played too conservatively off the tee,
The next few holes play along the ocean and while a bit of valley golf, are varied enough (and each great by itself) to seperate themselves.
Lots of turns and twists and later in the round after playing along the spectacular beach, the course turns up into the very edges of the nonlinks land, beneath the mountains, yet high enough to see out over the spectacular links, beach, town while in sort've a micro climate complet with trees which come into play on 2 holes.
Kind've have to see see it to appreciate it but 13-17 is an enchanting piece of land between the mountain and the links where tees are placed which play back out onto the links while overlooking the whole scene.
17 is a great par 5 looking out to the ocean and playing around a stream again links land bordering the adjacent farmland.
Weather cloudy, same 20-25 mph wind no rain
I could easily stay in Portsalon for a week and commute outward for the odd round.
Spent the night at The Water's edge in rathmullen which I heartily recomemnd although a bit pricier than the rest of accomodations.
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Day 5
Otway
(Based on Donal's recomendation)
Spectacular scenery wild course.
The first hole is a basic par 3 from an elevated tee.
end of basics
The second hole plays over #3 green to a fairway shared by 4 holes!
After hitting a barbed wire fence on my shot from the fairway, I then played to the wrong green.
At one point there were 16 balls in this one fairways yet it all works because the tees are on the perimeters so everyone hits while the fairways are empty, then plays to the greens while everybody's in the fairways.
We had some good fun with the members who took great interest in our being there, and as the course is set up you can't help but encounter them in the fairways and often on the tees ,some of which are yards apart.
All of this is bordered by spectacular scenery of cliffs and rock formmations of the Lough swilley on our right.
The 6th tee plays over one green, over a cliff into anothe fairway that the last 4 holes share.
the 9th and final hole is played from out on a cliff in one of the most spectacular settings anywhere. (think 16 or 17 at Cypress,9 tee at Turnberry)
The shot is played out toward 6 and 7 green, with 8 green just on the right.
the second shot is played straight uphill over 6 green to a loft perch where the first and 7th tee are located.
our driver,an actor and very funny guy who's also a registered guide and originally from Donegal who now lives in Dublin(who was in Braveheart amongst other major movies) put it
"Otway-where the sheep wear helmets"
he had played there as a kid.
Nothing like it in my experiences, anywhere.
many unique, and very cool holes.
A lawyer's wet dream, it all works because of the remote tees, but "fore" is heard often.
Weather, steady drizzlly fog , 20 mph wind.
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Day 5 afternoon
Northwest GC
So after a slow round at Otway due to the rain and unfamiliarity, we decided in the afternoon to play twosomes and have singles matches-no side bets to keep play moving (we had multiple 4-some,twosome and singles matches in other rounds)
I drew an opponent who was shall we say, very inspired to play the pro.(complte with the cocky talk about how poorly I had been putting which was true)
I decided a Commissioner's beatdown was needed.
The pro Gary could not have been nicer and made us feel very comfortable (our amateurs reciprocated by buying out the store).
The course starts out with a stern 434 yarder which swings to the right at the end and ends up into the wind. driver 3 wood two putts -good start-one up.
I had read some guidebooks written by Americans wich dissed the course due to its' lack of high dunes and elevation change.
I found the course fascinating, particularly with the wind up 20 mph to start and probably 25- 30 mph in the middle of the round.
The holes wound throgh small dunes and fescues, was easily walkable and from the white tees(the back), was plenty of course -6350 or so in those conditions.
It is squeezed between Lough Swilley and the road and is losing its' battle with the sea, but a clever routing and a bit of backtracking give it plenty of length and reasonable width. Much of the course was played in crosswind as the holes run mainly parallel to the sea with the wind coming directly off the sea.
They call it the St. Andrews of Scotland and its' lumpy terrain with minimal overall terrain change make that a reasonable statement.
many of the greens are tucked behind hollows and a variety of shots and imagination was required.
While it may appear flat and is easily walked, it does not feel flat when playing it as there was a variety of gentle elvation changes.
back to the match
I birdied the par 4 5th after a stinger 3 iron that never got higher than 10 feet off the ground to go 5 up.
On the par 4 7th I threeputted after driving too conservatively off the tee, making it impossible to get anywhere near the pin in the severe crosswind to stay 6 up.
As we walked off the green I looked at the nearby 8th green which was elevated on all sides, a bit of a postage stamp and a boundary fence just to the left-all coupled witha stiff right to left wind. I thought "that's a bitch of a green"
a true "2 or twenty" hole
To reach the tee, you had to walk backwards and play back near the 7th geen where our trailing group was approaching, and also near the ninth tee where two of our group were now playing.
138 yards, runup not an option, hard right to left wind, boundary just left of green.
I took a 7 iron , hit a low fade which the wind held most of the way before gently turning it to the left and dropping it 15 feet short and right of the hole=one bounce trickle and it gently fell into the cup for a one.
witnessed by the group in front and behind.
birdied nine to go 8 up-beatdown now officially in progress.
As we turned 10, 11, and 12 were the windiest portions of the course, all long, difficult par 4's boundary on one side, ocean on the other.
I bogied all three, but closed out the match on 11.
the back nine was well routed as well and had series of interesting holes weaving in and out of small undulations and dunes, all made more interesting by the wind.
It is interesting to play a course when playing well as strategy actually means something if you have a good chance to execute the shot and angle you are attempting.
a 93 yard par 3 on the back was pretty cool with a tiny skinny green that I airmailed.
All in all a really fun interesting course that I can highly recommend-warm welcome as well.
Best greens we played in Ireland.
I managed to right the ship and birdied 17 and 18 for 69 and my low round of the trip.
Fortuneately there was no one in the bar so after buying drinks and dinner and more drinks in the bar in Buncrana(our bartender was a Northwest member) for the group I still eaked out a small profit as we had a 100 euro bonus per man for holes-in-one.
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Jeff,
That is a great travelogue. You have convinced me of what I previously intended. Next time is Donegal only!
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Jeff,
That is a great travelogue. You have convinced me of what I previously intended. Next time is Donegal only!
Our driver who freelances for several major tour companies (I set it all up myself) told me before the trip he thought I was crazy.
After the trip and seeing the reactions of my members (all of whom are members of 6 and 7 digit initiation clubs) he said he learned a few things and that he never thought a successful golf trip could be just in Donegal.
Also the scenery in Donegal is just absolutely stunning, particulrly in he most northwest regions.
and it rained EVERY Day
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Thanks for this Jeff...
I have a Donegal trip planned myself for August, in the main back to courses I know but also to some I haven't visited (including North-West)...
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Portsalon
The second hole is just spectacular, downhill over and around an estuary which forms a wonderful cape, before turning into a burn in front of the green to punish those who played too conservatively off the tee,
Since you lost your camera :)
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/wcb323/Ireland%202009/CIMG0036-1.jpg)
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/wcb323/Ireland%202009/CIMG0035.jpg)
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/wcb323/Ireland%202009/CIMG0038.jpg)
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nice Bill
Day 6 to come
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I think #1 at Portsalon is better than #2 . The way that green sits up is so intimadating.
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I think #1 at Portsalon is better than #2 . The way that green sits up is so intimadating.
#1 is a good use of land and good architecture which='s a great hole
#2 is a great hole in a spectacular setting which whets your appetite for the rest of the day as you look out over the course and area.
Brian,
i'll throw in some recs later.
many I did not visit as we were foursomes and play with the wet weather(the courses were mainly empty) was slow so we didn't have a lot of time to hit the restaraunts and pubs I had mapped out, but we hit a few ;D ;D
This itinerary would be more doable in a threesome format, my preferred way to travel.
or two threesomes
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Jeff - were all of the courses you played links courses? I've played the more well known ones you have mentioned but never heard of the others.
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Steve,
Otway would not be considered a links but rather a seaside course-it's right on the water and has spectacular views
maybe a semi-links.
It wasn't playing as firm as the others but I'm sure it could be
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Who needs pictures when you can have narrative like this. Well done Jeff. You've caused me to go and look to find where in Ireland that Donegal actually is!
I'm very excited to be making my first trip to Ireland this fall and though I won't be up in that part of the country, I can certainly see myself going back someday and wanting to get up to see these wonderful places you describe, that I quite frankly have never heard of!
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I think #1 at Portsalon is better than #2 . The way that green sits up is so intimadating.
The drama of Hole #2 is almost unmatched, it is consistantly rated in the top 18 in Ireland and one of the most memorable holes i have ever played. However, Hole #1 does make great use of very cool land forms.
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/wcb323/Ireland%202009/CIMG0032.jpg)
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/wcb323/Ireland%202009/CIMG0033.jpg)
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Day 6
Ballyliffin Glashedy
I had heard mixed reviews of Ballyliffin.
The weather was atrocious with 40+ mph winds and a steady driving rain.
the only day I played in rain gloves, which I hate but had no choice as I was sick of fighting to keep a dry grip by the ninth hole.
Putting in that wind was really rough and scoring was brutal.
started on Glashedy, the very helpful woman who set us up was busy trying to explain why we may not want to play the furthest tees back(7400 yards_ when I politely interupted and told her we were going 2 sets up to the 6300 yard tee-which was plenty of golf course.
I had heard the Glashedy fairways had been flattened and while they were not bumpy like the Old links, they certainly had plenty of gradual undullation.
I found the course to be quite good,but frankly the wind was howling and it was hard to even stand or look up on some of the holes at the higher elevations. I shot 83(I had 2 shots I barely moved after an aggressive club choice on two holes) and did quite well in most of my bets giving tons of shots.
I definitely need to go back but from what I could see, a lot of interesting holes and great scenery.
the hospitality was fantastic.
i did not find the course overly narrow, despite the wind and overall came away pleasantly surprised after some of the negatives I had heard. The locals are very fond of the courses.
The Old
On the front I made 8 bogies and a double and felt I had played pretty good other than a topped stinger three wood from 170 into a gorse bush.
Again with the weather it was quite difficult to focus on the architecture as I was simply focusing on keeping the ball in play and surviving.
A nice mix of holes I thought.
On the back a couple of guys dropped out and the remaining four(two had already flown back that morning) of us engaged in a death match.
this inspired me to come home in 39 birdieing 2 of the last three which easily carried the day as our team won and I won my money back and then some after the 45 on the front.
Toward the end of the day around 15 the rain stopped and some great views were observed
as well as some really good closing holes with great variety and memorability.
By the way, I'm not a stroke play guy, but I know my score as my bogies and double were counted nearly every time in a 2 bb of 4 format (that's how bad the weather was)
Sorry for this crappy review but the weather was so bad I just can't remember many of the holes on both courses as they were somewhat intertwined and I was simply focused on the shots at hand.
definitely need to go back.
a much better feeling about the place than say Rosapenna.
less sterility, great hospitality, and much better scenery (although I do love the Morris Back nine-the old front)
stayed in Buncrana the last two nights, flew out of Belfast
6 days golf, seven 18's ,four 9's
Great trip, great value.
The people everywhere were polite and quite happy to see us, much like the southwest of 20 years ago.
If anyone needs any help planning a future trip feel free to IM me.
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Who needs pictures when you can have narrative like this. Well done Jeff. You've caused me to go and look to find where in Ireland that Donegal actually is!
I'm very excited to be making my first trip to Ireland this fall and though I won't be up in that part of the country, I can certainly see myself going back someday and wanting to get up to see these wonderful places you describe, that I quite frankly have never heard of!
Eric.
Thanks but I need pictures.
Keep them coming Bill ;D ;D ;D
I've already got withdrawal
Amazing how I can remember every hole on some courses, and the holes run together on others( Ballyliffin).
I attribute most of that to weather that last day.
I took no notes, no pictures and played most rounds with a Guiness in my hands. ;) ;)
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Jeff,
I agree with you re: Bill's pics - they're terrific.
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Day 5
Otway
(Based on Donal's recomendation)
Spectacular scenery wild course.
The first hole is a basic par 3 from an elevated tee.
end of basics
The second hole plays over #3 green to a fairway shared by 4 holes!
After hitting a barbed wire fence on my shot from the fairway, I then played to the wrong green.
At one point there were 16 balls in this one fairways yet it all works because the tees are on the perimeters so everyone hits while the fairways are empty, then plays to the greens while everybody's in the fairways.
We had some good fun with the members who took great interest in our being there, and as the course is set up you can't help but encounter them in the fairways and often on the tees ,some of which are yards apart.
All of this is bordered by spectacular scenery of cliffs and rock formmations of the Lough swilley on our right.
The 6th tee plays over one green, over a cliff into anothe fairway that the last 4 holes share.
the 9th and final hole is played from out on a cliff in one of the most spectacular settings anywhere. (think 16 or 17 at Cypress,9 tee at Turnberry)
The shot is played out toward 6 and 7 green, with 8 green just on the right.
the second shot is played straight uphill over 6 green to a loft perch where the first and 7th tee are located.
our driver,an actor and very funny guy who's also a registered guide and originally from Donegal who now lives in Dublin(who was in Braveheart amongst other major movies) put it
"Otway-where the sheep wear helmets"
he had played there as a kid.
Nothing like it in my experiences, anywhere.
many unique, and very cool holes.
A lawyer's wet dream, it all works because of the remote tees, but "fore" is heard often.
Weather, steady drizzlly fog , 20 mph wind.
This sounds a whole lot like a day at Painswick! Isn't it great going to the UK/Ireland and playing courses that are just unthought of here in america!
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Jeff,
I'm really enjoying this thread. You should get paid a percentage of Donegal's 2011 tourism revenue for this excellent review.
I only made a few phone calls, so no need to thank me. I'm glad you got to play with the members at Cruit and Gweedore. You definitely need a guide in Gweedore as they have alternate tees for both the gents and ladies; that's 36 tee boxes on 9-holes !!!!
I think Donegal has a a really good mix of links courses. You probably all heard of Portsalon, Rosapenna, Ballyliffin and Donegal (Murvagh), but Nairn & Portnoo (we just call it Portnoo) and Dunfanaghy can certainly stand alongside those 4 with pride. There's also an 18 hole course at Greencastle that dates from 1893. It is said to be the equal of Dunfanaghy, although I have not played it. Throw in the 9 holers of Gweedore, Cruit and Otway, and you have the perfect mix in my opinion. There are a few parkland courses, namely Ballybofey & Stranorlar (18), Letterkenny (18) and Cloughaneely (9) in Falcarragh town. The former two are not that interesting IMO, but Cloughaneely has views of the sea and is set in the grounds of Ballyconnel House (former residence of the notorious landlord John Olphert). I've only played Bundoran once many years ago, but it isn't that well appreciated by those that I have spoken with.
I will come back with some more info and some non golfing photos, but for now, here's a link to a Gweedore thread I wrote a while back:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41990.0.html
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This sounds a whole lot like a day at Painswick! Isn't it great going to the UK/Ireland and playing courses that are just unthought of here in america!
Bill,
Bernard Darwin enjoyed Otway that much, he wrote about the course in his classic book The Golf Courses of the British Isles which was published in 1908;
I must put in one word for the quaintest and most charming little nine-hole course at Macamish, also on the shores of Lough Swilly, which can be reached by sailing across from Buncrana or by driving anywhere else an interminable number of Irish miles over a rocky make-shift road. It is the most purely amateur course in the world, and also, if more than two or three are gathered together upon it, the most perilous. The holes cross and recross each other and everybody aims at his own particular hole in a light-hearted, pic-nicking frame of mind, and perfectly regardless of the lives of others. For pure, unadulterated fun I have yet to see the equal of this course.
By all accounts, Otway has changed very little since Darwin wrote the above description. One still needs to be wary of the whereabouts of other golfers, and the proximity of rock outcrops means that ricocheting golf balls are a constant threat. Having said that, it is one of the most unique and unusual courses existing today and is always enjoyable to play. After my first visit to Otway, I came away from the course with the amusing thought: “Bring a crash helmet the next time”.
I believe the course was named after the 19th century academic Caesar Otway who had connections with the area.
Proof that you don't need a 7000+ yds course and 200 acres to have fun; here's the Otway scorecard. I think the course takes up about 40 acres at most.
4134 YDS, PAR 64, SSS 60
Hole Length Par
1st 103 3
2nd 180 3
3rd 304 4
4th 162 3
5th 333 4
6th 257 4
7th 209 3
8th 255 3
9th 264 4
Total 2067 32
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This sounds a whole lot like a day at Painswick! Isn't it great going to the UK/Ireland and playing courses that are just unthought of here in america!
Bill,
Bernard Darwin enjoyed Otway that much, he wrote about the course in his classic book The Golf Courses of the British Isles which was published in 1908;
I must put in one word for the quaintest and most charming little nine-hole course at Macamish, also on the shores of Lough Swilly, which can be reached by sailing across from Buncrana or by driving anywhere else an interminable number of Irish miles over a rocky make-shift road. It is the most purely amateur course in the world, and also, if more than two or three are gathered together upon it, the most perilous. The holes cross and recross each other and everybody aims at his own particular hole in a light-hearted, pic-nicking frame of mind, and perfectly regardless of the lives of others. For pure, unadulterated fun I have yet to see the equal of this course.
By all accounts, Otway has changed very little since Darwin wrote the above description. One still needs to be wary of the whereabouts of other golfers, and the proximity of rock outcrops means that ricocheting golf balls are a constant threat. Having said that, it is one of the most unique and unusual courses existing today and is always enjoyable to play. After my first visit to Otway, I came away from the course with the amusing thought: “Bring a crash helmet the next time”.
I believe the course was named after the 19th century academic Caesar Otway who had connections with the area.
Proof that you don't need a 7000+ yds course and 200 acres to have fun; here's the Otway scorecard. I think the course takes up about 40 acres at most.
4134 YDS, PAR 64, SSS 60
Hole Length Par
1st 103 3
2nd 180 3
3rd 304 4
4th 162 3
5th 333 4
6th 257 4
7th 209 3
8th 255 3
9th 264 4
Total 2067 32
Donal ,
Thanks again for the advice and help with our "craic".
The card at Otway is quite different now.
#1 is 165 yards on the card-I hit 5 iron in the howling wind-ams hit drivers
2 is at least 350 (played across the entire property)
7 is 95 yards
8 is 175
9 I hit killed driver 8 iron to the back of the green but was into a strong wind
I'll post it tomorrow
The valley that 6 crosses did not appear to be used anymore other than for 6 to cross so perhaps that accounts for the differences
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Proof that you don't need a 7000+ yds course and 200 acres to have fun; here's the Otway scorecard. I think the course takes up about 40 acres at most.
4134 YDS, PAR 64, SSS 60
Hole Length Par
1st 103 3
2nd 180 3
3rd 304 4
4th 162 3
5th 333 4
6th 257 4
7th 209 3
8th 255 3
9th 264 4
Total 2067 32
Donal ,
Thanks again for the advice and help with our "craic".
The card at Otway is quite different now.
#1 is 165 yards on the card-I hit 5 iron in the howling wind-ams hit drivers
2 is at least 350 (played across the entire property)
7 is 95 yards
8 is 175
9 I hit killed driver 8 iron to the back of the green but was into a strong wind
I'll post it tomorrow
The valley that 6 crosses did not appear to be used anymore other than for 6 to cross so perhaps that accounts for the differences
Jeff,
I have two different cards for Otway from the 1980s. They may have switched the holes around at some stage in 1984-85. Here's the other scorecard I have:
Hole Length Par
1st 162 3
2nd 363 4
3rd 257 4
4th 209 3
5th 255 4
6th 264 4
7th 123 3
8th 180 3
9th 304 4
Total 2117 32
There was one hole, maybe the 6th or 7th where you hit blind over a high mound and then made you way to green by walking through a gap or pathway. It's been so long ago, I can't remember.
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stayed in Buncrana the last two nights, flew out of Belfast
6 days golf, seven 18's ,four 9's
Great trip, great value.
The people everywhere were polite and quite happy to see us, much like the southwest of 20 years ago.
If anyone needs any help planning a future trip feel free to IM me.
Jeff,
So, did you play the 9 hole course at Buncrana? What's it like?
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stayed in Buncrana the last two nights, flew out of Belfast
6 days golf, seven 18's ,four 9's
Great trip, great value.
The people everywhere were polite and quite happy to see us, much like the southwest of 20 years ago.
If anyone needs any help planning a future trip feel free to IM me.
Jeff,
So, did you play the 9 hole course at Buncrana? What's it like?
Donal,
That second card is the one.
after the ace at Nortwest things got a little uh........ ;) ;)
so no we never made it out to Buncrana.
I had eventually scrapped it from the formal itinerary
Looked nice from the road (my assistant and I were going to sneak over for late evening round/grudge match but the celebration intervened)
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Paging Donal
White courtesy phone ;D
headed back to Donegal-looking for thoughts on Greencastle.
anyone seen it?
I have found a few attractive pictures on the web
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Jeff
I played Greencastle on my honeymoon in 1991 when it was a 9 hole course, and it was lovely wee course with superb greens. I haven't been back since, but I can't think that Eddie Hackett did aything but enhance the golfing experience when he extended the course to 18 the next year or two. Play, enjoy and please report back.
Rich
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Jeff - I look forward to your renewed report, fingers crossed that I make this trip next Spring so looking for all sorts of commentary and recommendations.
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Jeff,
Thanks for bumping this one, hope you've heard from Donal? I've an e-mail for him so will DM it to you if you want?
I'm thinking of adding some of this to make a longer trip next year to Buda, but cost, time and logistics are all still way up in the air. But plenty of food for thought here so thanks.
Cheers,
James
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Paging Donal
White courtesy phone ;D
headed back to Donegal-looking for thoughts on Greencastle.
anyone seen it?
I have found a few attractive pictures on the web
Jeff:
I haven't played Greencastle (too far to drive from Gweedore), but I was always curious, as the aerials looked quite good. My father has played it a few times, so I'll report back to you soon.
Wow! This is my first post in a year.
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Thanks Donal-perhaps your dad is keen for a rematch!
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Not sure if this will influence your plans Jeff, but they've been playing the new holes at Gweedore for 6 months or more. It's now a 15 holes course (or is it 14; I can't remember ??? ). The layout plays the commonage holes (3rd green is retained but played as a par three from a different angle) the first time around and then extends to the new holes on the back nine. The members are happy with them and it looks like they will stick with this layout despite numerous failed attempts in the past (1980, 1981, 1984-85, 1989).
I have some photos and will try to get time to post them over the weekend.
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In review of Dónal's photo post of Gweedore, I am sorry I haven't budgeted enough time to explore Donegal, causing me to the only conclusion possible, even before I leave for this trip. I'll have to return to pick up the NW of Ireland and the Northern Irish aspect of the Isle. As I review Gweedore photos, I get the impression that it may be much like Port Fairy Australia, whilst Port Fairy may be a bit more dramatic in terrain. But the authenticity of both has its own allure to be sure.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41990.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41990.0.html)
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In review of Dónal's photo post of Gweedore, I am sorry I haven't budgeted enough time to explore Donegal, causing me to the only conclusion possible, even before I leave for this trip. I'll have to return to pick up the NW of Ireland and the Northern Irish aspect of the Isle. As I review Gweedore photos, I get the impression that it may be much like Port Fairy Australia, whilst Port Fairy may be a bit more dramatic in terrain. But the authenticity of both has its own allure to be sure.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41990.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41990.0.html)
Dick, it appears that next year's Buda Cup will be around this time at Carne and Enniscrone. That will get you right in the heart of NW Ireland, and in the company of some fine fellows as well. See you there?
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Oh yes Bill, it is on my mind! ;D 8)
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Portsalon...
wow!!!
18 lunch right back to tee
22 mph winds-perfect
No better place on earth.
To the contrary of previous reports- there are PLENTY of run-up options .only a couple of aerials req hired
Bad wifi. More. Later.
Greencadtle a gem.well worth the. Detour
Great variety better scenery.
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Run Jeff, run! ;D
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More details on Greencastle please Jeff. Sounds interesting.
Terrific ferry trip across Loch Foyle from Greencastle. A nice way to go if travelling the Ballyliffin to/from Castlerock/Portstewart/Portrush route. Not sure the ferry operates all year though.
Atb
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More details on Greencastle please Jeff. Sounds interesting.
Terrific ferry trip across Loch Foyle from Greencastle. A nice way to go if travelling the Ballyliffin to/from Castlerock/Portstewart/Portrush route. Not sure the ferry operates all year though.
Atb
Didn't take the ferry as we were coming from Belfast Airport (2 hours).
and Garland, no driver as we were just three.
Roads were great fun-I did all the driving.
Generally beat Google maps and GPS times and I'm no speed demon.
Day1
Greencastle
Quaint, perfectly situated clubhouse-a great way to start the trip after overnight flight with a pint and lunch.
First hole a bit contrived 90 degree dogleg driveable by playing over a 100% blind large heather covered hill-two of us played to wrong green after laying up with irons off the tee
Second rises to high ground revealing views out over the property and water.
Front nine felt mainly inland but had a number of good holes and views across the water and property as well as a par 3(5th?) on a rocky peninsula amidst spectacular scenery that Pebble Beach would be proud to have in its arsenal.
Back nine closer to water and linksier feeling with the highlight being the 12th hole-simply stunning dogleg right along the water with a lighthouse in background and a sunken green located behind a heathery rise in the fairway. Quite a few good holes on the back including the linksy 11th benched against a giant dune that the 12th tee sat atop as well as a well sited tte on the 13th, the good returning 14th and the 16th. 17 a weak safety-tree infested par 4 followed by a decent elevated tee par 3 18th back to the clubhouse.
Definitely time well spent, especially on a sunny breezy day. A few of the pictures look more like casa de Campo ;) [size=78%] than Donegal with palm trees and rocky cliff backgrounds[/size]
Closest comparison would be Ardglass
Stayed in a rental home Buncrana-nice town
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Thanks for the Greencastle summary Jeff. It's now on my future visit list. Agree that taking a rental house as a base to operate from is a good move. It's what I usually do on golf trips and tends to work out pretty well £$ wise as well.
Atb
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Day 2
Ballyliffin
I still can't get my arms around this place after 2 visits.
I was predisposed to like the Old but preferred Glashedy with its wilder terrain and more variety.
It just seemed like every par 4 on the Old was the same length.
Glashedy had a bit of that too as the modern obligatory usually proportionately 4 sets of tees tends to force that.
I usually remember every hole but I had trouble after the round remembering the holes, especially with the crossover hill in the middle of the course forcing long walks presumably to allow all four nines to start and end at the clubhouse.
No doubt there are numerous good to great holes on both courses but the similarity in first tee proximity, routing, terrain, and texture make it difficult to remember every hole.
I will say they are very accomodating and were kind enough to put us out in front of member groups.
We played as a threesome in 3:45 and 3:30.
Certainly a very good 2 course destination. we ate lunch and dinner there and were treated well.
I guess it was all a bit too modern standardized for me and lacked the oldish quirk/distinction I enjoy.
No doubt I am being unfair as individual holes were very hard to find fault with.
Stayed in Buncrana again.
Day 3
Northwest GC
arrived effectively unannounced as I had no email reply.
No worries as they sent us right off but unfortunately behind a large slow group.
After three holes we played back down 18 and made a quick trip to the bar and restarted with now a 6 hole cushion.
I already really liked this course (see 2011 notes)
They've made a few chances, specifically raising portions of greens and building a new 4th hole to eliminate the crossing of the 17th.
i wasn't a fan of the new greens as they looked modern and different than their charming lay of the land older greens, and the jury is out having not played the new third as it's not open.
We played with a fine 2 handicap gentleman who could really drive the ball with his compact linksy swing.
Amazingly my ball landed near his when we picked teams ;)
My one comment was that they really should cherish their status as the "St. Andrews of Scotland" being one of the oldest courses in Ireland-1891-and should highlight that rather than trying to conform to the modern norms that the course down street is stuck with. They also keep their rough pretty severe as they tend to think it's their defense, but as I said to them-"No one is coming to Northwest Golf Club because of its rough, and no one ever leaves a course and said that they wish the course had more rough".
Brought me average down to even par on the par 3 7th ;D after a double. A really tough green to hit and hold from any distance.
All in all a course really worth playing. Gary in the shop was again more than accommodating and the members seemed thrilled we had visited.
Played the 9 hole Buncrana afterward-some fascinating greens, the toughest par 3 of the trip (240 into a small bowl across the first green) and the longest par 5 (600 yards) all fit into a tiny seafront parcel.
Really interesting greens especially the par 3 9th and the fallaway semiblind 8th
Headed to Portsalon to stay in another rental house on the doorstep of Sarah's ,Store's pub and Portsalon GC
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Tale of the times.
At Ballyliffin they announced to us we arrived that the greens on The Old were running at 9 and 11 on The Glashedy (no way but beside the point)
At Buncrana GC (1892) the clerk asked us afterward how fast we thought the greens were stimping.
The greens were fantastic, yielded incredibly fast putts (as well as super slow) because of the incredible and unique slopes, not the absolute stimp which probably was about 7-8.
Pained me to even have someone mention the stimp regarding such unique greens.
I'm sure he's only now recovering from the rant I gave him ;) ;D
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Day 4
Portsalon
Awesome-see earlier comments as well as 2011 comments.
just can't see the knocks the place gets by non Ruddy fans.
Sean Arble rates it relatively highly but felt the ground game wasn't an often option (perhaps I'm paraphrasing poorly)
Played in 22 mph wind and some rain in the afternoon.
played the ground game ALL day hitting 140 yard 4 irons, runup chips, putts from off the green.
Only saw aeriels needed on 2(to carry water 20 yards short of green)
17-same issue-tough downwind even with L wedge.
Absolutely enchanting-very tough start into fierce wind.
Played it twice in favor of going to Otway
Stayed in Portsalon rental house again
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As much as you seem to like NW Ireland, will you be attending Buda next year?
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Day 5
Dunfanaghy in am
40 + mph wind-ball was moving on uncut greens that stimped about 7.
I no longer feel they could've played Friday at TOC in this year's Open ;) ;D
Better than I remember and I liked it before.
1-5 a bit repetitive-- 6-10 stunning.
Hit a driver on 207 yard downhill 7th 40 yards short.
My assistant hit driver on 135 yard downhill 9th pin high-I hit a knee high 5 iron 20 yards short.
Considering weather had best round of trip actually putting Ok in howling despite missing 2 putts inside 18 inches-shot 78.
a few pedestrian holes coming in 16-17 great holes out by water.
Lively bar scene as many players packed it in due to weather-was a day of Open competition and course was quite busy despite horriffic conditions.
Afternoon-Cruit Island
stunning-arrived 5 pm not a soul in sight.
Winds calmed down to a reasonable 22 mph, about the same I played in last time.
Played my worst 9 of the trip just couldn't do anything right but had a blast.
One of our guys who had retired after 9 in the morning at Dunfanaghy due to complete inability to cope with crazy wind shot even par at Cruit in what still was pretty good wind.
stayed in Gortahork rental home
attended Jazz festival in Dunfanaghy-great time
Sunday
Narin and Portnoo
Really like this course but must confess I'm not crazy about the new changes.
3 par 5's in a row(and 4 out of 6) help with car yardage but the last 3 run parallel.
Always used to feel like I had made sneaky quirky discovery that couldn't be explained when I played there before, but now it feels like it's been discovered and less wild and remote.
No fences around greens or gate as you enter the common ground anymore.
many good-great holes though, especially 6-13,16,17 and to be fair the early holes are improved from what they used to be.
Well worth playing though and warm welcome.
Stayed Gortahork-flew out of Belfast next day
Very hard to beat a trip to Donegal for hospitality, adventure, price/value, and the drives are stunning-especially if ones takes a few slight detours.