August 2017Golf World 129WHEREHAVE
THEYGONE?
Why three previously
high-ranked courses
are missing this time.The worst aspect of
compiling Top 100s is the
removal of courses. We
neverdoitlightlyand
always earnestly believe
thosecominginare
superior, but it is not
pleasant because we
know staff at those clubs
will work hard on the
course and members will
be proud of their venue.
So,atleastinpart,we
very much welcomed the
fact that task was made
easierforusinthislist,
with two courses being so
rigorously redeveloped
that ranking them would
have had minimal worth
given the finished results
will be so vastly different
and also still unknown.
Themosthighprofileis
Adare,No.21in2015and
whichhasoftenbeenour
top-ranked irish parkland.
It is being renovated by
Tom Fazio at the behest
of owner JP McManus
with the ultimate aim of
hostingtheRyderCup.
It re-opens towards the
endofthesummer.
The second course is
Skellig Bay, which is not
only being fundamentally
redevelopedbuthasa
newnametoo–Hog’s
Head. This coastal course
in Ballinskelligs near
WatervillewasaRon
Kirbydesignthatwas
placed in the 60s in 2015.
RobertTrentJonesJnris
rerouting almost every
hole, though, and there
mightevenbeacasefor
treating it as a new entry
shouldit,asislikely,be
good enough for the next
Top 10 0.
Sadly, the final course
missing is Rathcore, 59th
in 2015 but which is
closing imminently. It may
be purchased and
reinvigorated but we
thought it prudent to
leaveitoutfor2017and
hope it is revitalised in
time for the 2019 list.24 Portsalon(7)
Fanad, Donegal. Charles
Thompson, Pat Ruddy.
Design19.3Setting16.5Holes8.5
Presentation16.6Playability12.0
Consistency7. 3TOTAL 80.2
IT’S LIKEPortmarnock Links,
Rosapenna (Old Tom).
GW VERDICTEasy to focus on
thebrilliant2nd,butthisisafine
all-round links over varied
terrain. This significant rise sees
it make its debut in the top 25.
20 Mount Juliet()
Thomastown, Kilkenny.
Jack Nicklaus.
Design18.2Setting16.3Holes7. 8
Presentation17.9Playability12.8
Consistency7. 8TOTAL 80.8
IT’S LIKELoughErne,KClub.
GW VERDICTStays in the top
20 owing to impeccable
conditioning and a consistent
design. Perhaps lacks the nuance
of others to rise further but a
competent modern parkland.18 Lough Erne (1)
Enniskillen, Fermanagh. Faldo.
Design19.0Setting16.7Holes8.2
Presentation17.7Playability12.4
Consistency8.0TOTAL 82.0
IT’S LIKEMount Juliet, Adare.
GW VERDICT This position gives
Lough Erne daylight as Ireland’s
No.1 parkland – a competitive
category. Well designed, scenic
and beautifully conditioned, it
boasts impressive variety.25 Connemara ( 10 )
Ballyconneely, Galway.
Eddie Hackett.
Design 20.1 Setting 17.5 Holes 8.0
Presentation 15.0 Playability 12.1
Consistency 7. 5 TOTAL 80.2
IT’S LIKE Ceann Sibeal, Co Louth.
GW VERDICT Links fairways
brush up againstadesolate
rockylandscapeat oneof
Ireland’swildest,exposedlinks.
Into the top 25 for the first time –
anditcouldkeepmovingonup.
23 The K Club
(Palmer)(1)
Straffan, Kildare. A Palmer.
Design19.0Setting16.1Holes7. 5
Presentation16.4Playability13.3
Consistency8.0TOTAL 80.3
IT’S LIKELough Erne, Mount
Juliet, Carton House (O’Meara).
GW VERDICTPlays through
tranquil parkland and woodland
andisinbetterconditionnow
than since its 2006 era in the
sun. A ‘must play’ experience.
19 Donegal(2)
Murvagh, Donegal. E Hackett.
Design19.8Setting16.2Holes8.0
Presentation17.2Playability11.6
Consistency8.0TOTAL 80.8
IT’S LIKERosapenna (S Hills).
GW VERDICTArguably Ireland’s
most muscular course, ‘Murvagh’
necessitatesalotofhittingand
that didn’t appeal quite so much
to the panel than previously. If
youenjoyarobustlinksamong
dunes, it will appeal a lot.26 Ballyliffin (Old) ( 13 )
Inishowen, Donegal. Hackett/
Lawrie/Pennink.
Design 20.0 Setting 16.3 Holes 7.6
Presentation 16.1 Playability 12.5
Consistency 7.7 TOTAL 80.2
IT’S LIKE Rosapenna (Old Tom).
GW VERDICT It may sit behind
its sibling in the pecking order
but this is a links of crumpled
fairways, smart bunkering and
sweet greens. Notable rise for
the ‘second’ course at Ballyliffin.
21 Portstewart
(Strand) ( 2 )
Portstewart, Londonderry.
Gow/Park/Giffin.
Design 19.0 Setting 17.2 Holes 8.4
Presentation 17.2 Playability 12.0
Consistency 6.6 TOTAL 80.4
IT’S LIKE Royal Portrush, Carne.
GW VERDICT Nothing to do with
its Irish Open staging – this is all
about an explosive front nine
among huge sand hills. Quieter
back nine costs it on consistency.Portstewart (Strand).Lough Erne.