Ireland Revisited

[Tim Rooney]

A recent June visit,with it's incredible 'Irish Breakfast', was most enjoyable but perplexing,determining Eire's greatest------Lahinch or RCD?Old Head with 3/4 Great holes, on a spectacular land parcel, provided an otherwise K Club/American perception.Carne was 'Awesome' with abusive wind,Links fairway bounces and the 'Wild Irish' uncertainty only comparable with the Kiawah Ocean Course.Construction enquiries yielded the following: Engh/Carne (9) continues,slowly advancing through even better dunes-scapes; Bartra Island is a Dustin Johnson drive from Enniscrone possessing unique subdued terrain 'nay touched' by shovel; Lough Rhynn Castle(Cty Leitrim/Faldo) is rough graded w/irrigation & electricity completion but no progress since '07--------rumored (9) eventually opening.It should be compulsory that in addition to sweater,rain jacket that an Irish caddie always be added with their rare Green sleuthing ability and Lost'n Found golf ball recovery!   

[Scott Warren]

Did you play any on the east coast of the Republic, Tim?

Bartra Island is a Dustin Johnson drive from Enniscrone

Bartra Island is 60 yards to the right of Enniscrone?

[Martin Toal]

Oh Dear. RCD would be very perturbed to be considered part of Eire. RCD is the club of the Protestant Ascendency in Northern Ireland, part of the UK.

Old Head is an abomination.

I am sure you could not have hit a golf ball anywhere worse than the caddy has previously seen.

[Tim Rooney]

Scott, also played Portmarnock which is a very good Links w/blind T/shots however, somewhat lacking the flair and elevation movement of the Great Irish links.Have played a very good Baltray a previous visit.

[Tim Rooney]

Martin, I was the only player of the group of (12) who rated Old Head last within the (7) course rotation.Sir, I am very aware of Erie's geography and it's suffered History.The RCD Pro Shop chuckled when mentioned I had previously played Ireland's Greatest----Old Head.

[Martin Toal]

Martin, I was the only player of the group of (12) who rated Old Head last within the (7) course rotation.Sir, I am very aware of Erie's geography and it's suffered History.The RCD Pro Shop chuckled when mentioned I had previously played Ireland's Greatest----Old Head.

They probably thought to themselves 'What an American eejit. Still, he pays the bills round here'.

A lot of different names are used to describe The Republic. My mother still calls it 'The Free State'.

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Tim,

I'm glad you enjoyed Ireland.

Any news on Bartra Island?

Has Faldo put this project on the long finger? I haven't heard anything about it since the legal dispute a number of years ago.

[Sean Leary]

Old Head is an abomination.

Might be a wee bit strong.

 Not what it could have been, but ABSOLUTELY worth playing, IMO.

[Wade Schueneman]

It is kind of nice that so many people now think that Old Head is an abomination, because the rates there are MUCH lower now than they used to be (160 euro after 3 I think). 

[Martin Toal]

Old Head is an abomination.

Might be a wee bit strong.

 Not what it could have been, but ABSOLUTELY worth playing, IMO.

I have wanted to use the word 'abomination' for a while. OH just happened to offer an opportunity.

I don't think it is an authentic Irish course of the sort that I could recommend to visitors. Nor is the K Club, for that matter.

[Rory Connaughton]

I have never played Old Head though I have been to Kinsale many times and wandered the cliff side adjacent to the club.  When I see photos and read about the architecture at Old Head, I am always left to wonder whether the architecture is truly bad or perhaps it does not quite live up to the site?  I am also curious as to architectural comparisons between Old Head and Ardglass.  Ardglass sits on one of the most scenic headland sites I have ever seen.  My perspective from one play was that the course a lot fun interesting holes on the outward 9 and parts of the inward 9.

Martin or anyone else, can you provide some comparison between the architecture at Ardglass and Old Head? 

[Tim Rooney]

Guys, Bartra Island was virgin untouched during/previous my visit.Kindly Email the following outstanding American golfer/Enniscrone caddie master(Randal Cross) for an update: Enniscronegolf.com.The Enniscrone Dunes appeared more dramatic than Bartra

[Bill Brightly]

Ardglass sounds wonderful, perhaps someone who has played it can chime in?

http://www.ardglass.net/gerry.html

[Sean Leary]

Old Head is an abomination.

Might be a wee bit strong.

 Not what it could have been, but ABSOLUTELY worth playing, IMO.

I have wanted to use the word 'abomination' for a while. OH just happened to offer an opportunity.

I don't think it is an authentic Irish course of the sort that I could recommend to visitors. Nor is the K Club, for that matter.

Nothing authentic about it, I agree. Still the most spectacular place I have been to in my life. Is it a great golf course? No. Is it worth a special trip to play, I think it is.

[Tim Pitner]

Ardglass sounds wonderful, perhaps someone who has played it can chime in?

http://www.ardglass.net/gerry.html

Are those mats from which players are teeing off in the video? 

[Ally Mcintosh]

If you ever see good links land in Ireland, someone has been trying for years to get a golf course on it.

I have been travelling a lot around the country lately.

I have seen the best bit of land to exist anywhere. I will not be naming it but quite clearly others know about it.

I also saw the Kilshannig site for the first time (36 holes - Doak / C&C) which will more than likely come to nothing.

I had a good look at Bartra Island which may happen in time.

I further confirmed my previous belief that big dunes do not make the best golf.

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