Great to see some long overdue praise for County Louth (Baltray). Whilst perhaps not a masterpiece, and yes as Mr Morrissett has commented the course comes to life with some wind, it is an oft forgotten gem of none other than Tom Simpson of Cruden Bay and Muirfield fame (and countless courses in France, few of which any of us know anything about). As long as there is a breeze, the golfer has to think on absolutely every shot, the small greens with some crazy contours and angles are challenging and like any good running course, influence the thinking from the tee.
Portmarnock is very very good, and very very fair, but i could not help that with some of its flattened fairways, and devoid of strategy off the tee, that perhaps it just misses some of the sparkle of the other great Irish courses.
Another course that really is not seen enough is The European Club. Whilst i think overall it misses a great opportunity for strategy, and the clubhouse is gharish, the actual routing is superb through dunes better than Ballybunion's, the setting is beautiful on Brittas Bay, and the 2 beachside holes are a rare chance to plonk it in the sea. And all only an hour from Dublin, i would recommend it to everyone.
As for you Paul Daley, fancy not knowing the difference between good Scottish Whisky and tatty Irish Whiskey. Ran, could we have a subsection here discussing the delicious delicacies of single malt whiskies?
I have some great pics of both Euro Club and Baltray, but don't know how to insert them! See you all in Tasmania
greg@barnbougledunes.com www.ausgolf.com.au/tasmanialinks.htm