Looking at the golf course not just from the distant back tees and from the overall design details. The green complexes and bunkering were short of inspiring. I would agree that the views are nice with the mountians wrapping around the course and the view of water. Starting out on the course I felt ok until hole #2.
The plantings behind the green and boringness of the complex was a disappointment. Hole #3 plays directly west and yes it is 417 with water on the right and a rock wall holding the green up on the right side at the water. Uggh! I mean I can see this type of design in the US on many other courses.
As far as playing the golf course from the back tees and thinking its the best thing....makes me wonder if its just all about the tee shot. Yes I agree with Paul about the BAck nine being the best. Concerning the details on GCA's course reviews...I would agree the Par 3's are nice.
But if I just look at it concerned for the best player, then I missed the greatness of the course since I am not in the category of the great players. I was evaluating the course for the overall design details...ie: greens, bunkers, and contours. For instance the leftside bunkers on 11 were goofy. They sat several feet above the fairway and the green was distanced from them making uterly useless and it seemed like they were placed to meet a bunker qouta.
I also think the plantings along 2,3,16,17,18 take away from the golf holes being more dramatic. I liked 4,5,9,11,12,15,16,17...and yes the back tee on 18 makes the golf hole. I can only offer my less than good player opinion, but I feel there is definitely an argument why the course is not in the top 100...oh wait a minute its in the 100 club....the above 120 euro club.
I just felt that it missed the design details that Co. Louth possessed. Sure they are too different layouts in length etc. But some of the design details of bunkering and greens complexes were interesting. Sure the Par 5's were short but the holes sat on the land and the greens rolled great with interesting greens complexes. I enjoyed the saddles in the fairways and the placement of bunkers...maybe cause I was in alot of them.
Sure 16, 17, 18 were a bit less characteristic of the other holes. But from what my friend told me the routing was changed to accomodate the clubhouse. I liked #3 semi-blind shot Par5 to the green with drops on the left and right since from what I read good players have a harder time judging right or left than long or short.
Green on #2(depression behind the green)plus the right hand bunker from the fwy 28yds from green was nice.
Holes 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14(great short hole with some very nice contours and green)
Looking at them both from a golfer that is not great. I would play Baltray over Waterville. Sure I did enjoy the drive from Sneem to Waterville but hey I guess you have to be able to drive long to enjoy Waterville? I think to be good its got more to do with other things than just being a long course.