124 Golf WorldAugust 2017
TOP 100 COURSES IN IRELAND
51 RoyalCountyDown
(Annesley)(35)
Newcastle, Down. Steel, Ebert.
Design 18.3 Setting 17.0 Holes 7. 3
Presentation 15.3 Playability 12.0
Consistency 6.5 TOTAL 76.4
IT’S LIKE RCD, Portrush (Valley).
GW VERDICT Three new holes (see
panel left for full details) have
added real weight to what is a short
(par 66), tight and gorse-drenched
links. A huge rise for this quality, fun
links to the cusp of the top 50.45 Cork( )
Little Island, Cork.
Dr Alister MacKenzie.
Design19.4Setting15.0Holes7. 3
Presentation16.0Playability12.0
Consistency7.0TOTAL 76.7
IT’S LIKETramore, Mullingar.
GW VERDICTThe Alister MacKenzie
heritage is proudly embraced at this
club and the quarry holes remain
thehighlight.OneofIreland’smost
underrated inland courses.43 Slieve Russell(27 )
Ballyconnell,Cavan.PMerrigan.
Design 19.7 Setting 15.1 Holes 7. 5
Presentation 15.2 Playability 12.1
Consistency 7. 2 TOTAL 76.8
IT’S LIKE Luttrellstown, The K Club
(Palmer), Palmerstown House
Estate.
GW VERDICT A massive climb up
the list that indicates our panel feel
this beautiful, peaceful parkland by
the late Patrick Merrigan is
deserving of more recognition.48 Belvoir Park (3)
Belfast, Down. Harry Colt.
Design18.5Setting15.0Holes7.0
Presentation16.5Playability12.3
Consistency7.4TOTAL 76.7
IT’S LIKEMullingar, Tullamore.
GW VERDICTAlongside Malone,
the stand-out parkland among
averyconsistentandevenly-
balanced selection in Belfast. This
one belongs to Harry Colt and it
moves up a worthy three positions.53 Palmerstown
House Estate(5)
Johnstown, Kildare.
ChristyO’ConnorJnr.
Design19.5Setting14.4Holes7. 3
Presentation15.7Playability12.2
Consistency7.1TOTAL 76.2
IT’S LIKETheKClub,CartonHouse.
GWVERDICTOften referenced in
termsofitswaterhazardsand
impressive bunkering, the course
is back to its best.52 Clandeboye(3)
Newtownards, Down. Von
Limburger/Thomas/Alliss.
Design 19.3 Setting 15.0 Holes 7.4
Presentation 16.1 Playability 11.5
Consistency 7.1 TOTAL 76.4
IT’S LIKE Cork, Rathsallagh.
GW VERDICT Starting up high, this
Co Down parkland eases its way
down into the woods before rising
to the top once more. Unlucky to
fall slightly for it is a fine course.49 Cruit Island(13 )
Kincasslagh, Donegal.
Michael Doherty.
Design15.5Setting18.8Holes9.2
Presentation14.2Playability11.7
Consistency7. 2TOTAL 76.6
IT’S LIKEOld Head, Carne.
GW VERDICTDramatic, raw and
impossibly scenic, this Donegal
outpostisnineholesofheaven.Its
rise–intothetop50forthefirst
time – may seem punchy for ‘only’
nine holes, but the fun and beauty
of Cruit (pronounced Critch) must
beexperiencedtobebelieved.47 Fota Island(18)
Fota Island, Cork. Christy
O’Connor/Peter McEvoy.
Design 17.8 Setting 15.9 Holes 6.8
Presentation 15.4 Playability 13.9
Consistency 6.9 TOTAL 76.7
IT’S LIKE Headfort (New),
Luttrellstown.
GW VERDICT This resort course
suffered at the hands of this panel,
who felt it lacked the star quality to
maintain a top-40 slot.44 Malone( )
Belfast, Antrim. CK Cotton.
Design 18.4 Setting 16.0 Holes 7. 5
Presentation 16.2 Playability 11.2
Consistency 7. 5 TOTAL 76.8
IT’S LIKE Druids Glen, Tullamore.
GW VERDICT Tree-lined parkland
and a back nine wrapped around a
lake. An elegant affair laid out by CK
Cotton and sits very comfortably
among Antrim’s big-name venues
by the coast and further inland.46 Carlow( )
Deerpark, Carlow.
Cecil Barcroft/Tom Simpson.
Design 19.3 Setting 15.0 Holes 7. 2
Presentation 16.0 Playability 12.0
Consistency 7. 2 TOTAL 76.7
IT’S LIKE R Curragh, Druids Heath.
GW VERDICT Heathland terrain
promises ideal playing conditions
as holes flow easily over charming
countryside thanks to a skilled
original routing.54 Bunclody ( 3)
Carrigduff, Wexford. Jeff Howes.
Design 19.0 Setting 15.1 Holes 7.6
Presentation 15.1 Playability 12.6
Consistency 6.8 TOTAL 76.2
IT’S LIKE Dun Laoghaire, Farnham
Estate, Luttrellstown.
GW VERDICT A tale of two
different nines with a stunning
finish through forest, beside the
river. Well routed through the
woodland by Jeff Howes.50 Strandhill ( 3 )
Strandhill, Sligo. Hackett, McIntosh.
Design 19.4 Setting 17.2 Holes 7.0
Presentation 15.2 Playability 12.0
Consistency 5.8 TOTAL 76.6
IT’S LIKE Laytown & Bettystown,
North West, Dooks.
GW VERDICT Quirky links designed
by members of yesteryear and now
being improved by Ally McIntosh.
Some modest holes among the
classics, otherwise it’d be top 40.EVOLUTION OF
THE ANNESLEY
Martin Ebert explains
the changes to Royal
County Down’s high-
rising ‘second’ links.Martin Ebert, half of the
Mackenzie&Ebertfirm,
advisestheR&Aonmany
of its Open venues.I have been
advising at
Royal County
Down for over
20 years, first with Donald
Steelandsince2005with
Mackenzie & Ebert. It has
coveredprojectsonthe
Championship links but
also the 1995 Annesley
extension, when the 7th
and 8th (previously 9th
and 10th) were added.
That gave a first glimpse
of the incredible
dunescape and the sea
beyond the current 8th.
Atthatstagewelookedat
theareaoccupiedbythe
three newest holes but it
wasn’tuntil2012thatthe
clubaskedmetoassess
an extension. Now, there
are a number of views
from the Annesley that
couldbeconsideredthe
equalofanyonthe
Championship. Although
itisnotoneofthethree
new holes, the view
beyond the 8th green is
incredible, with the dunes
forminganendless
backdrop and the sea to
its right. The view from
the9thteeisperhapsthe
most impressive, looking
from height across the
Championship back to
Newcastle with the spires
of Slieve Donard Hotel
and the Mountains of
Mournebeyond.Nextis
the elevated tee shot for
thenew10th,whichplays
alongside the coastline
more closely than any
otherholeatRCD.Itisstill
ashortcoursewithmany
shortpar4s,alotofpar
3sandnopar5s,but
Iseriouslybelieveitis
one of the very best short
courses and is true links.
Itisatremendousfoilfor
the club’s famous links.Palmerstown
House Estate.Cruit Island.