[Sean_A]

Having beat back Beau Desert, Cavendish & Broadstone...all three highly competent designs, N&P now takes on GCA.com favourite Portsalon and a little known Dr Mac design, Crosland Heath. 

#1.  All three courses offer an interesting start largely because of the approaches. Both P'salon and N&P are short 4s, while CH is a three shotter.  As is usually the case, I fall on the side of terrain and in that means P'salon takes the day with what may be the best hole on the course.  PORTSALON 1 SKIN


#2. This is the hole everybody talks about where P'salon is concerned.  The golfer must decide how much water to carry for this dogleg left.  That isn't all for this hole, the approach too must carry water, though I am less enamoured with this shot.  N&P doesn't enter the conversation with its dull par 5.  Crosland Heath's short hole uses the quarry very well.  However, I will almost aways go for the good par 4 over par 3...P'SALON ONE SKIN.


#3. P'salon's effort is an overly tight hole playing to a double green.  N&P's par 3 isn't of much interest.  CH's par 5 is fairly good, but nothing of particular note.  On another day I might go for the beauty P'salon, but not today.  NO BLOOD.

#4. P'salon's par 5 is another hole in much the same mold as the 4th....tight.  N&P still hasn't got going.  CH's 4th hugs a stone wall left which is a bit spoiled by trees.  However, the walll is used better as the green is tucked behind it to some degree.  Being a fan of using the man-made elements well, I will plop for Crosland Heath.  1 SKIN CROSLAND HEATH


#5. CH keeps the good golf going with a tough par 4.  P'salon's par 3 is a bit odd as the bowl doesn't look quite natural to my eye.  N&P turns up with a killer par 4 with a great cut in the fairway which easily wins the day.  N&P ONE SKIN.


#6. Another very good hole for N&P.  An odd legger left to a pulpit green.  We get more of the same for P'salon...narrow play through dunes.  CH gives another good two-shotter, but not as good as N&P's.  ONE SKIN N&P.

#7. Yet another cracking hole from N&P in the form of a knob to knob par 3.  P'salon carries on with a by now very boring theme.  CH gives us a short par 4 of some merit...but N&P takes the day.  ONE SKIN N&P.


#8. I am not even going to mention the options.  N&P is the clear winner here with its downhill par 4 seemingly set on the strand.  ONE SKIN N&P. 


#9. More very strong golf from N&P in its 9th.  The hole heads back up the slope #8 came down then plunges downhill for the approach.  P'salon gets back in the game with a solid par 4, but not in the same league as N&P's.  We are back in the quarry for CH's par 3.  I the end, the choice is clear...ONE SKIN N&P. 


The match thus far has N&P threatening to run away with the match.

N&P: 5 skins: 5-9

P'salon: 2 skins: 1 & 2

Crosland Heath: 1 skin: 4

NO BLOOD: 3

Ciao

[Stewart Abramson]

Thanks Sean. I love this. I had a great time at Portsalon and N&P. I don't know anything about Crossland Heath and will have to check your Flickr page to see if you've posted photos. I can't argue about N&P winning 5-9. Those holes going up to the higher ground and then working their way down and around are very good. I think Portsalon may win a few more on the back though.

[Jay Mickle]

Played N&P in high wind and intermittent horizontal rain but still really enjoyed the course if not the quality of views that you show. I look forward to a few more skins and an overall victory. I hope to get back in weather more suitable for for taking my time to appreciate all that I was way to uncomfortable to appreciate.

[Ally Mcintosh]

I believe Gil Hanse’s team are up at N&P presently. I haven’t been up there to see what work has been carried out, nor do I know anything of the plans other than that the course will be reduced from a Par-72 to a Par-70.


I suspect this means that a lot of Eddie Connaughton’s work from 15 years ago will be undone. But I understand this to be a redesign rather than a restoration.

[Ally Mcintosh]

EDIT: From an article I just found from my friend, Kevin Markham, the scope of the work at N&P is large:


- 15 greens will be moved and 2 of the other 3 will be altered in situ (only the 5th remains untouched)
- Greens at 7, 8, 10 and 16 have been moved closer to the sea
- 17 and 18 combined to create a par-5
- String of three par-5’s on back nine reduced to three par-4’s
- 3 brand new Par-3’s added
Par reducing from 73 to 70


Basically a new course.

[Thomas Dai]

Thanks Ally for the N&P update. I was wondering what was going on there.
Atb

[Mark_F]

EDIT: From an article I just found from my friend, Kevin Markham, the scope of the work at N&P is large:


- 15 greens will be moved and 2 of the other 3 will be altered in situ (only the 5th remains untouched)
- Greens at 7, 8, 10 and 16 have been moved closer to the sea
- 17 and 18 combined to create a par-5
- String of three par-5’s on back nine reduced to three par-4’s
- 3 brand new Par-3’s added
Par reducing from 73 to 70


Basically a new course.

That's really sad, Ally.


Some of those Connaughton greens, especially 6 and 10, were fantastic.  7 Is a brilliant hole as is.

[Sean_A]

I knew Gil would be making drastic changes, but I didn't appreciate just how far the work would go.  My impression is the new owner wants to put N&P on the Irish map with a "modern Scottish links" style new course that will get tongues wagging ala Coul Links, Trump Aberdeen etc.  The downside is the green fee will steeply rise. It seems to be the way of the world.

Yes, N&P has a load of good holes, but man was the course a jumbled mess as an overall product. 

The Match Cont.

10. N&P will win this hole as well with its tumbling par 5 played between sentinel dunes for those brave enough to have a go in two.  That said, I quite like P'salon's lay of the land short hole, but a good par 5 pips a good par 3 all day.  CH's blind par 4 isn't in the same class.  ONE SKIN N&P


11. We may now see the other courses catch up because N&P's purple patch is over.  That said, the par 3 is a good hole.  However, I also like P'salon's par 5 effort.  The drive is open and the green is quite small for par 5.  CH's par 4 heads back toward the quarries and simply doesn't have the terrain to compete.  This one is a tough call because I am not a particular fan of any choice, but with a par 5 in with a shout I will plop for P'salon.  ONE SKIN P'SALON


12. To be honest, both N&P and P'salon don't give us much to shout about for the 12th, but that is the case for CH as well.  All are decent efforts, but I can't pick one.  NO BLOOD

13.  I am not keen on the trees left of P'salon's par 4, but the hole is good.  N&P is well in the doldrums.  CH's par 5 is good, but not special.  I think P'salon is default winner.  ONE SKIN P'SALON

14. P'salon's blind, split level par 4 is wonderful.  I especially like the open green site which really sets it apart from the front nine.  N&P wakes up with a serpentine hole which is really too tight.  However, CH's tiny par 3 with very cool shaping stole my heart.  ONE SKIN CROSLAND HEATH
   

15. Unfortunately, CH can't keep up with the good work.  P'salon's uphill short hole to an angled green is very cool.  The constricting nature of N&P's good downhill par 5 with a terrific setting leaves doubt in my mind.  NO BLOOD

16.  CH gives us a cracking par 4 with its green nestled in mounding and gorse.  Trees up the left spoil the concept somewhat.  P'salon's slip away green makes for a good hole.  However, P'salon's rumbling par 4 down the hill and over water wins the day.  ONE SKIN P'SALON


17.  I don't think it is necessary to talk about anything but N&P here.  Perhaps the best hole among a clutch of very good choices, the humpty bumpty par 4 with a fallaway heart shaped green is one of the best holes in Ireland.   ONE SKIN N&P


18.  The match is well and truly over which is a good thing because the final hole doesn't provide a clear favourite. 

It would seem Crosland Heath simply couldn't keep up with some terrific links terrain...this despite some very good if similar par 3s in the quarry.  It seems to me there is a better course sitting on the Portsalon property if the front nine wasn't so samey with narrow holes played between dunes.  It doesn't help that the man-made architectural elements fail to create much variety in that stretch. N&P is extremely inconsistent, but there is no doubt about its highs. 

N&P 7 skins: 5-10 & 17

Portsalon 5 skins: 1, 2 ,11, 13 & 16

Crosland Heath 2 skins: 4 & 14

I am going to change up the next match and square off the two courses which seem to have performed the best in this albeit very inexact system.  After 10 matches I am by far most impressed with Cavendish.  It has little to no reputation, short in yardage and in an area which is difficult in terms of keeping the course firm.  The match is basically man-made architecture V terrain.

Next match:  Cavendish V Narin & Portnoo

Previous matches

Match IX: Cavendish V Narin & Portnoo V Beau Desert V Broadstone
www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,66075.msg1577226.html#msg1577226

Match VIII: Cavendish V Narin & Portnoo V Beau Desert V Carnoustie Burnside
www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,63990.msg1525230.html#msg1525230

Match VII: Beau Desert V Cavendish V Narin & Portnoo
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,63838.msg1519815.html#msg1519815

Match VI: Cavendish V Littlestone V Rosapenna OTM
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,63756.0.html

Match V: Cavendish V Prestbury V Liphook
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,63743.msg1518020.html#msg1518020

Match IV: Kington V Huntercombe V Cavendish
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,63725.msg1517854.html#msg1517854

Match III: Kington V New Zealand V Huntercombe
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,63708.0.html

Match II: Cleeve Cloud V Royal Ashdown Forest V Kington
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,63674.0.html

Match I: Minch Old V Painswick V Cleeve Cloud
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,63660.0.html

Ciao

[Niall C]

So N&P is getting drastically altered and no one is up in arms ?! Is it because perhaps it's been done by one of the favoured architects of this discussion board, surely not ? 

Niall

ps. Sean - don't know any of these courses so can only say I'm enjoying the composite course that you are posting. Portsalon in particular looks like my kind of course.

[Ally Mcintosh]

How do you know no-one is up in arms, Niall? See Mark’s post for a not altogether positive reaction.


As for me, N&P is about the only links course in Ireland I haven’t seen.


But I can assume the total overhaul is more than is strictly necessary and seeing some of those greens from the photos change (especially 7,8,9) seems a little superfluous for sure.

[Mark Pearce]

EDIT: From an article I just found from my friend, Kevin Markham, the scope of the work at N&P is large:


- 15 greens will be moved and 2 of the other 3 will be altered in situ (only the 5th remains untouched)
- Greens at 7, 8, 10 and 16 have been moved closer to the sea
- 17 and 18 combined to create a par-5
- String of three par-5’s on back nine reduced to three par-4’s
- 3 brand new Par-3’s added
Par reducing from 73 to 70


Basically a new course.

Wow.  N&P was, after Portstewart, my favourite of the courses I played when BUDA was in Ireland.  I could see why you might do something with the first 4, and why you might want to do something about the routing on 13-16 but this sounds bonkers.

[Sean_A]

So N&P is getting drastically altered and no one is up in arms ?! Is it because perhaps it's been done by one of the favoured architects of this discussion board, surely not ? 

Niall

Niall

There was a thread or a hijacked thread that generally discussed changes at N&P after the new owner moved in.  I think most were against changes, which imo is a bit naive for two reasons.  First, the previous situation didn't work, so it shouldn't be a surprise that a new owner (who I believe had Hanse lined up for the job well before the take over deal was completed) would want to remake the course along the lines of something that would attract more visitors.  Second, the course could easily have been improved a great deal just by going after the many holes which really added nothing to the design. 

All that said, I am a bit surprised by the degree of changes, however, I strongly suspect that overall N&P will be improved.  My only hesitancy about the changes is I think the already fairly expensive green fee will begin to rival that of the very expensive Irish links.  Surely a 175-200ish Euro green fee is the goal of the immediate future.   I hope I am wrong, but the signs definitely point in that direction.

Ciao

[jeffwarne]

So N&P is getting drastically altered and no one is up in arms ?! Is it because perhaps it's been done by one of the favoured architects of this discussion board, surely not ? 

Niall

ps. Sean - don't know any of these courses so can only say I'm enjoying the composite course that you are posting. Portsalon in particular looks like my kind of course.

I'll just say this.
The last time N&P altered their course(and renovated their clubhouse)they went bankrupt and ended up losing control of the course.
The original course was quirky, shorter and charming(and as Sean highlights) was full of great holes. The newer version simply has more slog holes and no more charm.
No doubt the newer version will be "Championship" and cost more to play.
I have nothing against Hanse, but there's no money in doing less.....
I'm sure it will end up being a fine course-just not one I'm in any hurry to seek out-the same as Trump Aberdeen and Castle Stuart(which I've yet to play).
May have to go back to Gweedore and see their home made renovations since I was last there.

[jeffwarne]

While I will concur with Sean that there is a bit of similarity at Portsalon in holes 3-6, each of the holes is at least very good in their own right-and it's a very humpty bumpty linksy environment.
I'm hardly a consistent driver and calling the 3rd hole overly tight is just not the case as there is room on the right for all but a wild drive.
None of the holes in that stretch comes close to the tightness of the last 2 par 5's at Narin and Portnoo, that are not only stupid tight, but incredibly elevated and exposed.


There was much exhilaration and discovery in playing N and Portnoo, especially before they added the slog holes,but Portsalon has nearly equal amounts of exhilaration with very few of the lows.The worst hole at Portsalon would be as good as the 9th best hole at N&P in its soon to be gone form.


N&P was once one of my favorite courses as it's highs were only interrupted by at worst simple home-made charm. The slog holes changed that and created the need for what is happening now.
I hope it works out for the members.

[Thomas Dai]

I very much liked the version of the course at N&P that Sean is using in this comparison. No real weaknesses as a test of golf. As a course I recken N&P was probably a shot or so harder than Portsalon, which I also like. I wish I’d had the opportunity to play the earlier version of N&P that Jeff mentions.
As to the new N&P, I reckon the golf will most likely be of the highest order although I have reservations as to it’s  longterm viability given its slightly awkward location, money etc. I do though wish them all the very best.
Great part of the golfing world to visit what with Cruit Island, Gweedore, Dunfanaghy, the seemingly expanding Rosapenna, Murvegh/Donegal and Portsalon all on the same section of gloriously picturesque coastline plus others north and south too. Not the quickest area to drive around on a golf trip, quit the opposite infact, but a pretty special area nontheless.
Atb

[Ally Mcintosh]

I know Sean alluded to N&P becoming a high-end modern test in the style of Castle Stuart and Balmedie. But is that true?


Sean - do you know this or are you only surmising? It is after all being reduced in par by three shots.


Still - definitely appears that we will have a bunch of modern green complexes and no matter how good, they will replace some natural lay of the land ones.

[Peter Pallotta]

Just from the outside looking in: so many holes at these three old courses remind me of C&C's 14th at Bandon Trails. And judging from the complaints/changes at BT, one could surmise that if the retail golfer had more clout in GB&I there'd be hardly a golf hole left in tact at those courses.
P

[Stewart Abramson]

Just from the outside looking in: so many holes at these three old courses remind me of C&C's 14th at Bandon Trails. And judging from the complaints/changes at BT, one could surmise that if the retail golfer had more clout in GB&I there'd be hardly a golf hole left in tact at those courses.
P

Peter - I've not played Crosland Heath, but I can't think of holes at N&P or Portsalon that remind me of #14 at BT.

[Jon Wiggett]

I have only played CH of these courses. I am not sure if it is a case of links bias or if the other two are so much better but I find the poor impression that this play off thread leaves of CH is neither justified nor I suspect intended. The course is certainly lessened by poor tree planting which has a detrimental effect on many holes none more so than the 4th where the approach to a left side pin position was over the wall but which is no longer possible. However, the course is well routed with holes changing directions almost each time and great use of the quarries on what is otherwise a quite bland piece of land. As Sean says, the 14th is a gem of a short par 3.

[James Reader]

Coincidentally I played Crosland Heath for the first time this afternoon.  The par 3s and the 16th were the highlights for me, and the routing into, across and out of the quarry is great.
I’ve not played either Portsalon or N&P but from your photos I’m not sure it was entirely a fair fight.  I enjoyed Crosland - and it could hold its own against many courses - but it looks like it could have done with a few shots in that company!

[Sean_A]

Jon & James

A big part of the reason for me doing this series is to review some courses I am not high on as others.  As such, I will make some odd pairings to see how well some of these courses hold up.  After reading my review of Crosland Heath I thought I may have been a bit hard on the old girl because individually there are some excellent holes.  I get the feeling Dr Mac was damned if he did and damned if he didn't...max out the quarry use.  Its a great feature, but leads to many similar aerial approaches.  Perhaps more irksome is that to get to the quarry we must go uphill on many holes. I think this match confirmed for me that CH as a whole is not as good as its individual parts.  I think tree removal would help me enjoy the course more, but that wouldn't materially change the bones of the course. 

Crosland Heath Tour
www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,64800.msg1545090.html#msg1545090

A great surprise and joy of this series is a better understanding of just how good Cavendish is. 

Ciao

[Niall C]

Sean

Good on you for featuring these types of courses. You've certainly piqued my interest.

Niall

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