120 Golf World August 2017
TOP 100 COURSES IN IRELAND
60 Rosslare(1)
Rosslare, Wexford.
Fred Hawtree, JH Taylor.
Design19.4Setting15.3Holes7. 3
Presentation14.0Playability13.3
Consistency 6.6 TOTAL 75.9
IT’S LIKE L&B, R Portrush (Valley).
GW VERDICT Too remote for
some, but this is a rumbling links
with some big holes mid-links.55 Dromoland
Castle(3)
Newmarket, Clare. Kirby/Carr.
Design 18.1 Setting 16.4 Holes 7. 5
Presentation 14.5 Playability 12.5
Consistency 7. 2 TOTAL 76.2
IT’S LIKE Waterford/Killeen Castle.
GW VERDICT Castle backdrop on
the par-3 7th signals a storming
stretch of holes on a big parkland.58 Carton House
(O’Meara)(2)
Maynooth, Kildare. M O’Meara.
Design 19.5 Setting 15.3 Holes 6.6
Presentation 15.8 Playability 12.2
Consistency 6.6 TOTAL 76.0
IT’S LIKE Mount Juliet, Rathsallagh.
GW VERDICT Famous for its
Augusta-like holes by the River
Rye, but it has much more to offer.57 Portumna ( 2)
Portumna, Galway. M O’Keeffe.
Design 18.6 Setting 15.2 Holes 7. 2
Presentation 15.2 Playability 12.3
Consistency 7.6 TOTAL 76.1
IT’S LIKE Galgorm Castle, Tramore.
GW VERDICT Very much under the
radar, Portumna is a lazy parkland
flowing over an old estate lost amid
a forest. Good golf, idyllic setting.61 Druids Heath(14 )
Newtownmountkennedy,
Wicklow. Pat Ruddy.
Design 18.8 Setting 15.4 Holes 6.6
Presentation 16.5 Playability 11.8
Consistency 6.8 TOTAL 75.9
IT’S LIKE Carlow, Birr.
GW VERDICT Strong, rolling terrain
which tosses you about for the
entire round.56 Galgorm Castle ( 2)
Ballymena, Antrim. S Gidman.
Design 17.7 Setting 16.0 Holes 6.2
Presentation 16.2 Playability 13.0
Consistency 7.0 TOTAL 76.1
IT’S LIKE Palmerstown House
Estate, Portumna.
GW VERDICT Wrapped up with
two rivers, this is as relaxing a
parkland as you will find. 63 Galway Bay(4)
Oranmore, Galway. C O’Connor.
Design 17.9 Setting 16.8 Holes 7.0
Presentation 15.1 Playability 12.5
Consistency 6.6 TOTAL 75.9
IT’S LIKE The K Club (Smurfit).
GW VERDICT Seaside golf doesn’t
get much more entertaining. A bit
over-designed perhaps but it still
hitsall the right buttons.62 The Heritage ( 12 )
Killenard, Laois. Seve Ballesteros.
Design 18.5 Setting 14.3 Holes 6.8
Presentation 16.0 Playability 13.2
Consistency 7.1 TOTAL 75.9
IT’S LIKE Tulfarris, C astlemar tyr.
GW VERDICT The only Irish course
designed by Seve Ballesteros
continues to mature over a
somewhat exposed landscape.59 Seapoint ( 1 )
Drogheda, Louth. Des Smyth.
Design 19.0 Setting 15.8 Holes 6.9
Presentation 15.1 Playability 12.4
Consistency 6.7 TOTAL 75.9
IT’S LIKE Laytown & B, Galway Bay.
GW VERDICT A small move into
the 50s for a links that starts low
and keeps building until the
dramatic stretch next to the beach.64 Royal Belfast ( 5 )
Holywood, Down. Harry Colt.
Design 17.3 Setting 16.3 Holes 7.0
Presentation 16.2 Playability 12.1
Consistency 7.0 TOTAL 75.9
IT’S LIKE Carlow, Grange.
GW VERDICT Slipping down to
Belfast Lough is the second oldest
course on the island. Sturdy test has
been renovated by Tom Mackenzie.Galway Bay.Seapoint.