August 2017Golf World 131County Sligo.Trump Doonbeg( )
Kilkee, Clare. Greg Norman, Martin Hawtree.
Design20.1Setting17.7Presentation16.7Playability12.7Holes8.7Consistency8.4TOTAL 84.3
IT’S LIKEPortstewart, Royal Portrush (Dunluce), Ballybunion.
GW VERDICTWe have consistently rated the links formerly known as Doonbeg
higher than others, enjoying the hugely-entertaining holes laid down over a rugged
landscape.DrMartinHawtreewasentrustedbyPresidentTrumpwithanoverhaul,
havingworkedonhisAberdeencourse,andwhenGolf Worldspoke with the
EnglishmanlastyearattheEuropeanInstituteofArchitects’conferencehewas
buoyantabouttheworkhisfirmhadcarriedoutinClare.Ourrecentvisitcertainly
showedatestofgreaterconsistencyandfairness,whileremainingthemajestic,
Atlantic-edge links that has never underwhelmed owing to a lack of excitement.8
OUR VERDICT ON REVAMPED ‘DOONBEG’
RenovatedunderthePresident’sownership–butarethechangesasuccess?
FIRST PLAY
7 The European ( 2)
Brittas Bay, Wicklow. P Ruddy.
Design 21.8 Setting 17.5 Holes 8.8
Presentation 17.6 Playability 10.7
Consistency 8.6 TOTAL 85.0
IT’S LIKE Ballyliffin (Glashedy).
GW VERDICT Loses a couple of
places owing to the ‘Playability’
category. So long as you don’t
mind a test, it scores extremely
highly in all other aspects. An
essential experience even if you
leave Wicklow a bruised golfer.5 Portmarnock ( 2)
Malahide, Dublin. George
Ross/William Pickerman.
Design 23.3 Setting 17.5 Holes 8.8
Presentation 19.0 Playability 10.3
Consistency 8.0 TOTAL 86.9
IT’S LIKE Co Louth.
GW VERDICT A return to the top
five for a connoisseur’s links. Not
as many invigorating views as
others in the top echelon, but
instead you have a strategic,
probing examination. Pure class.6 Ballybunion (Old) ( 2)
Ballybunion, Kerry. Lionel
Hewson, Tom Simpson.
Design 21.8 Setting 18.2 Holes 9.4
Presentation 17.2 Playability 12.2
Consistency 8.0 TOTAL 86.8
IT’S LIKE Portstewart,
Rosapenna (Sandy Hills).
GW VERDICT A small fall but by
the smallest of margins; there is
very little to choose between
No.6-No.3. A slow-burning start
but a spectacular site and one of
Irish golf’s essential pilgrimages.9 County Sligo ( 3)
Rosses Point, Sligo. Harry Colt,
William Campbell, Pat Ruddy.
Design 21.2 Setting 17.6 Holes 8.7
Presentation 15.6 Playability 12.8
Consistency 8.1 TOTAL 84.0
IT’S LIKE Co Louth, Dooks.
GW VERDICT Rosses Point
makes its debut in the top 10.
The historic, brooding links in the
shadow of Benbulben has a
notable depth of hole variety and
is intriguing throughout. The
setting is pretty special too.