128 Golf WorldAugust 2017
TOP 100 COURSES IN IRELAND
28 Castlerock(2)
Castlerock, Derry. Sayers/Colt.
Design19.6Setting17.4Holes7. 2
Presentation17.2Playability11.6
Consistency6.8TOTAL 79.8
IT’S LIKEPortstewart, Carne.
GW VERDICTAverycompetent
and often breathtaking links that
is now getting the recognition it
deserves. Ideal accompaniment
to Portrush and Portstewart.27 Druids Glen(3)
Newtownmountkennedy,
Wicklow. Ruddy/Craddock.
Design18.6Setting16.0Holes8.1
Presentation16.8Playability12.2
Consistency8.1TOTAL 79.8
IT’S LIKECarton House
(O’Meara), The K Club (Palmer).
GW VERDICTWell-manicured
parkland-woodland south of
Dublin that is tough enough to
have hosted the Irish Open yet
can offer a serene experience off
forward tees.29 Ballybunion
(Cashen)(1)
Ballybunion, Kerry.
Robert Trent Jones Snr.
Design18.6Setting16.2Holes8.7
Presentation15.7Playability11.9
Consistency8.5TOTAL 79.6
IT’S LIKEPortstewart, Carne,
Enniscrone.
GW VERDICTHigh-octane links
that split the panel: some view it
inthetop25,othersdidn’tso
much appreciate its quirkiness.
Definitely play it with the Old.30 Headfort (New) ( 3 )
Kells,Meath.CO’ConnorJnr.
Design19.5Setting16.1Holes8.2
Presentation16.1Playability12.0
Consistency7.7TOTAL 79.6
IT’S LIKELuttrellstown, Fota
Island, Bunclody.
GWVERDICTTree-lined and
water-laced,thisoldestateeven
throws in two islands to add some
extra oomph to proceedings. Its
top-30 slot might surprise some,
butwe’reconfidentit’swarranted.Druids Glen.Portmarnock Links ( 3)
Portmarnock, Dublin. Bernhard Langer/EGD.
Design 20.0 Setting 16.1 Presentation 16.3 Playability 12.1
Holes 7. 8 Consistency 8.0 TOTAL 80.3
IT’S LIKE Co Louth, Portsalon, Rosapenna (Old Tom).
GW VERDICT Investment on and off the course has
reaped rewards for this resort. We always rated the
Bernhard Langer/EGD design more highly than some
and the renovation has enhanced it further, witnessed
by this notable rise to the cusp of the top 20. A
traditional links that runs fast in dry spells, it can hold
its own with neighbours Portmarnock and The Island.22
Portmarnock Links
hasheldafavourable
position in all of our
Irish Top 100s and has
been a candidate for
our GB&I list too.
Even when it was
labouring as a
business – largely
owing to the
recession – the links
managed to retain
sufficient appeal to
remain one of the
leading modern
courses in our
ranking. With fresh
investment though,changes were as
predictable as they
were welcome,
refurbishing the links
to great effect. More
than €1million has
been spent on the
links by Kennedy
Wilson Europe Real
Estate, who bought
the property in 2014
for close to €30m.
Moira Cassidy has
been the consistent
figure from day one
at PH&GL and as Golf
World played the
renovated links withherinApril,herpride
at the evolution of the
course was evident.
“There’s no doubt
it is looking the best it
ever has. A lot of
investment has gone
in – off the course too- and it is reaping
rewards,” she says.
The links was in
astonishingly good
nick for spring.
Pristine tees and
greens plus
immaculate, tight
fescue fairways mean
this Bernhard Langer
design is now being
presented at its best.
A new high tee at the
1st offers a fabulous
opening view and a
new dog-leg par-5
13th are the key
structural alterations.
But all the bunkers
have been refaced
and several added
to further stiffen an
impressive ‘resort’
course that, whisper
it, but is more linksy
than some historic
courses of that ilk in
this Top 100.ALINKSTHATBELONGSINTHETOPTIER
Chris Bertram on the €1m refurbishment of revitalised Portmarnock Links.