CLIENT FEATURE
Introducing Greg Norman's Doonbeg
and the Majestic
Old Head Of Kinsale
Special to TravelGolf.com
"Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire; you will what you imagine; and at last you create what you will" - and so the words of Irelands famous play write George Bernard Shaw would seem to have informed Greg Norman's latest creation, Doonbeg.
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Nestled between Ballybunion and Lahinch the links of Doonbeg is being hailed as "the most original links course ever built." Located in County Clare, Doonbeg Golf Club encircles 1 ½ miles of crescent-shaped beach along the Atlantic Ocean. Developed by Kiawah Development Partners of South Carolina, the course was officially opened in July 2002. Norman himself while espousing the virtues of the course said, "This is a course I want to be identified with, one that I will be able to say with great pride, 'I did this one'.
The course a par-72 plays along 6,885-yards and is designed as
a simple concentric loop of 9 holes out and 9 holes back. The
landscape, which is defined by the ocean and given character by
time - plays host to marram-grass dunes of some 100 feet in height
standing as monuments to the past. In keeping with Norman's laissez-faire
principals and 'least disturbance' philosophy the bellow of the
bulldozers were rarely heard in the tranquil setting. Incredible
twelve of Doonbegs fairways were simply mowed while the undulations
of the greens follow the natural lie of the land. The result of
Norman's temperance and mother nature is a quite uncommon combination;
five par-3s and five par 5s.
Golf critics who have previewed the course have written extraordinary reviews. Sports Illustrated proclaimed the course to be "Greg Norman's Mona Lisa" and rated Doonbeg's 14th and 15th holes as the best par-3 and par-4 in southwest Ireland - even before the course was complete. While personally I believe the signature hole to be the closing 18th, a mighty par-4 that doglegs along the rugged coastline, playing to a magnificent green and protected by a collection of awesomely deep bunkers. It's a grand finale for a truly grand links. Indeed Alan Shipnuck of Sports Illustrated observed, "I'm not sure I've ever trespassed across a course that begins and ends with such memorable holes as those at Doonbeg."
While the constant beating of the ocean and its winds have created
a unique links venue it has also molded some other wonders of
nature which are not to be missed on a visit to the South West
coast of Ireland. The Cliffs of Moher to the north of Doonbeg
rise some 700 feet above the Ocean and on a clear day, the Aran
Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills
of Connemara. These wonders of nature define the beauty and ruggedness
of the landscape. While nature has created the raw materials man
has refined much of these to his liking, indeed the historic Drumoland
Castle exemplifies this. Dating to the 16th century this castle
turned five star hotel will exceed all expectations. Located in
Co. Clare just 8 miles from Shannon Airport, Drumoland Castle
offers the comforts of today along with centuries old charm. For
more on Doonbeg please click
here.
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While many are comparing the spectacular terrain of Old Head to that of Cypress Point and Pebble Beach - the landscape and views are if anything even more impressive. While as many as nine holes bring the 300 feet cliff faces into play, the entire performance is played out to the backdrop of a 19th century lighthouse. Ireland is a country well versed in the vagaries of weather patterns and no where is this better personified than on the links of Old Head. As the promontory strikes a blow for opposing the natural forces of the ocean it is met with coarse Atlantic winds and rolling fog which add to the challenge and suspense of the golfer.
The natural symmetry of the land has allowed for a 6,650 yard,
par 72 course configured as two returning loops. In picking a
signature hole one is reminded of the challenge faced by a child
raiding a candy store - every hole is so impressive it is hard
to chose just one. My personal choice would be the 17th, where
history, nature and the elements fuse to excite and defy the golfer
in equal measure. The 17th a 628-yard par 5 begins all but within
the lighthouse and ends with a black hole downhill approach -
in between you traverse some magnetic fairways.
The town of Kinsale much like the golf course is a happy melody
of old world charm and contemporary comforts. Regarded as the
gourmet capital of Ireland, Kinsale has many fine restaurants
with fresh seafood a must for every visitor. While a trip to Ireland
wouldn't be complete without sampling the national treasure 'Guinness'
and enjoying the craic in any of the local hostelries. For more
on the Old Head of Kinsale please click
here.
In introducing these new wonders of Irish golf we should not forget
the courses that have made Ireland a golfing mecca. Royal County
Down, Portrush and Port Stewart in the north complement Ballybunion,
Lahinch and Waterville in the south to create the ultimate list
of links venues. While courses such as Mount Juliet and the K
Club have become well accustomed to hosting the worlds elite,
with the latter busily preparing to be the first Irish venue to
hold the Ryder Cup in 2006.
If you would like to find out more information on any of the courses discussed or would like to book a package tour to Ireland then drop us a line at travel@irelandgolf.com or call 00 353 66 71 23733. While further information is also available at www.irelandgolf.com
Pierce Wall
Managing Director
Ireland Golf Travel Ltd.
Church Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland
