Finegan quotes Pat Ruddy as follows “Simpson’s greatest strength as a designer was the ability to create green that were great to look at but devils to play to. His work at Baltray is a prime example of his craft: pulpit tees and plateau greens abound, with surfaces that writhe as though some deeply troubled giant was having a bad sleep beneath those verdant quilts.”
Co Louth (also known as Baltray ) is generally bracketed with Portmarnock, Portrush and Co Down as one of Ireland’s very finest links, yet it is given no time on here compared to the more picturesque links in the West of Ireland.
I had the pleasure of meeting with Ally Mcintosh and John Marrinan who played an epic match there last Friday. The wind howled, with the radio warning of Gales, but the course remained playable and magnificent throughout. (Guys there’s a rumour that a very famous course in England cancelled their competition that day – Shurely shome mistake
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Due to some recent discussion on here I wasn’t expecting so much movement in the greens but they are fantastic, varied and set at all kinds of angles and levels of blindness. The play a The East of Ireland Championship here and the Irish Open as recently as 2004. IN Ireland it is appreciated for it’s greatness but not sadly abroad.
Ally and John.
1. A spirited start 454 yards and on the day into the wind.
2 A Par 5, with the strong wind behind Aly turned 482 yards into Driver wedge
3 Another par 5 and a magnificent hole of544 yards. The green is hidden, well below the level of the fairway. You have more than the usual dilemma of whether to go for it or not. A miss to the left will leave you 10’ below the surface of the green
This is also the first of 3 holes with not bunkers. (NB there are 8 holes with no bunker defending the green). Yards
4 This was the old first, before they built a new clubhouse. No bunkers just fantastic terrain
5 The first of the short holes and it’s a beauty.
this gives some idea of the contours on the greens.
6 Depending on the wind for the medium/ short hitter, effectively 5out of the first 6 holes are par 5s!
7 another corking par 3
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