126 Golf WorldAugust 2017
TOP 100 COURSES IN IRELAND
39 Ardglass (2)
Ardglass, Down. David Jones.
Design19.7Setting15.7Holes7. 5
Presentation15.0Playability12.7
Consistency6.8TOTAL 77.4
IT’S LIKE Old Head, Connemara.
GW VERDICT A start as good as
you’ll find – including an all-world
first tee shot – as you race across
clifftops and down to a handful of
links holes. Some gentler inland
holes but worthy of this top-40 slot.35 Killeen Castle(1)
Dunsany, Meath. Jack Nicklaus.
Design18.9Setting15.3Holes7. 2
Presentation16.4Playability12.0
Consistency7.7TOTAL 77.5
IT’S LIKE Mount Juliet, Carton
House, Dromoland Castle.
GW VERDICT A vast old estate is
home to this Jack Nicklaus design.
Expect muscular, dramatic green
complexes and a round brimming
with elegance.41 Royal Portrush
(Valley) ( 1 )
Portrush, Antrim. Harry Colt.
Design 19.4 Setting 16.0 Holes 6.4
Presentation 16.4 Playability 12.8
Consistency 6.0 TOTAL 77.0
IT’S LIKE North West, Rosslare.
GW VERDICT How can it rise after
losing some great land (for the
Dunluce)? Because the climax is
now much stronger. This low-lying
links haslotsofmovementtofool
you and small greens to find.
Strongpar3stotestthebest.36 Killarney (Killeen)(1)
Killarney, Kerry. E Hackett/W
O’Sullivan, T Mackenzie.
Design16.7Setting17.8Holes7.4
Presentation16.1Playability12.4
Consistency7.1TOTAL 77.5
IT’S LIKEMount Juliet, Clandeboye.
GW VERDICTWrapped along the
shorelineofLoughLeane,thisisa
charmingparklandwithafaststart
anddramaticfinish.Don’texpect
the roaming deer to be interested,
though, in how you’re scoring.31 Ceann Sibeal ( 1 )
Ballyferriter, Kerry. E Hackett.
Design18.5Setting 17.2 Holes 6.7
Presentation16.5 Playability 12.0
Consistency7. 5 TOTAL 78.4
IT’S LIKERoyal Dublin, North West,
Dooks.
GW VERDICT A smartly laid-out
links on the edge of the world, with
wind sure to tease you from every
angle and a solitary burn constantly
threatening. Lacks the star status of
Kerry neighbours, but very worthy.33 Dooks ( 6)
Glenbeigh, Kerry.
Martin Hawtree.
Design 18.2 Setting 17.9 Holes 7. 5
Presentation 14.1 Playability 12.9
Consistency 7.4 TOTAL 78.0
IT’S LIKE Co Sligo, Ceann Sibeal.
GW VERDICT Terrific setting as the
marks indicate, but the holes didn’t
quite capture the panel’s
imagination as they have
previously. One of the fallers in this
ranking that feels on the harsh side.32 Carton House
(Montgomerie) ( 2)
Maynooth, Kildare. C Mont’merie.
Design19.3Setting 15.2 Holes 7.6
Presentation17.8 Playability 10.5
Consistency7. 8 TOTAL 78.2
IT’S LIKEThe K Club, Lough Erne.
GW VERDICT Open terrain hosts a
challenging and heavily-bunkered
course, designed with a links-like
feel. Robust experience but enough
appeal to keep it in among the elite.34 Rosapenna
(Old Tom) ( 9 )
Downings, Donegal. Morris, Ruddy.
Design 19.0 Setting 15.5 Holes 7. 5
Presentation 16.2 Playability 12.6
Consistency 7. 2 TOTAL 78.0
IT’S LIKE R. Portrush Valley, Dooks.
GW VERDICT A mix of the silk-like
old links holes (Morris) and more
abrasive new (Ruddy), this move
into the top 35 is overdue. Gives
Rosapenna 36 high-calibre holes.40 Royal Dublin(6)
Bull Island,Dublin.HarryColt.
Design19.4Setting15.5Holes7.1
Presentation16.1Playability11.7
Consistency7. 3TOTAL 77.1
IT’S LIKELaytown & Bettystown,
Ceann Sibeal, North West.
GW VERDICTNotscenic,butalow
flowing,out-and-backclassiclinks
by Colt handsomely compensates.
Beautiful greens and you’ll be into
the wind all the way home.42 Macreddin ( 12 )
Macreddin Village, Wicklow.
Paul McGinley.
Design 19.0 Setting 16.2 Holes 8.1
Presentation 14.1 Playability 11.3
Consistency 8.1 TOTAL 76.8
IT’S LIKE Farnham Estate.
GW VERDICT An impressive rise for
this pine and gorse-drenched
course, draped astutely across the
sides of a charming valley by Paul
McGinley in his first design project.37 Concra Wood(1)
Castleblayney, Monaghan.
Christy O’Connor Snr and Jnr.
Design17.7Setting17.7Holes8.1
Presentation14.7Playability12.0
Consistency7. 2TOTAL 77.4
IT’S LIKEK Club Palmer, Bantry Bay.
GW VERDICTLake Muckno comes
in to play frequently on this young
parkland. Holes have been routed
smartlyoverasurprisinglyhillysite
anditkeepsrisingupourranking.38 Narin & Portnoo ( 2 )
Portnoo, Donegal. McNeill,
Wallace, Connaughton.
Design 18.5 Setting 17.0 Holes 7. 3
Presentation 15.1 Playability 12.8
Consistency 6.7 TOTAL 77.4
IT’S LIKE Ballybunion (Old),
Portsalon, Castlerock.
GW VERDICT A towering stretch
of dunes sits at the heart of this
Donegal links, with holes routed
around and through it.Killarney (Killeen).Narin & Portnoo.Killeen Castle.WHY I LOVE...
By Padraig
HarringtonPadraigHarrington,
whogrewupplayingat
Stackstown and still lives
nearDublin,isathree-
time major champion.I’ve always said
Portrush is
right there at
the top as one
of my favourite courses, if
notmyfavouritecourse,
in Ireland. I like the fact it’s
alinkscoursethatgives
you something.
Ihaveoftenfoundit
frustrating playing a links
course–evenifthefact
thatIwontwoOpenson
the tougher links courses
kind of goes against it.
But, it’s tough when
yougooutonalinksand
youfeellikeyou’reonly
going one direction; that
youcanmakeabogey
and you’re never getting
it back.
Whereas at Portrush,
thebeautyofitis,ifyou
hit good shots, you can
make birdies and eagles
and if you hit bad shots
you are making bogeys
and double-bogeys.
It entices you into good
golf,andisamore
enjoyable links course as
a result. It’s an absolutely
fantastic layout and a
fantasticcoursethat
didn’t need to do much
with outside of the 17th
and18thholes.
The layout of the
course is spectacular and
thewayitplaysisspoton
–meaningit’sacourse
thatcanbeenjoyed.
It’s unbelievable that
TheOpeniscomingto
Ireland. Three or four
years ago you’d have said
it had no chance of
getting it. But when it
goestoPortrush,I’dsayit
will be one of the greatest
Opensever.Thepeople
that will turn out and the
atmosphere they create
will be second to none.
Ithinktheraw
atmosphere will be
unbelievable; the players
won’t have experienced
anything like it before.