Slieve Russell
As swashbuckling parklands go, few can match Slieve Russell as it
flashes over a Co. Cavan countryside of rolling hills and lakes. This is
one of Ireland’s top championship parklands and it has the languid
pace and acres of space which make inland golf so very embracing.
As part of a resort, with a well known four star hotel, visitors will
enjoy superb facilities and a warm welcome. The prize, though, is the
par 72, 6,500 yard course (middle tees). The 1st hole eases you in, but
that’s as generous as Slieve Russell gets… the par four 2nd is Index
1. It drives over a lake, over a river and doglegs up to a high green.
Thereafter the pace rarely eases off. Paddy Merrigan designed the
course in 1992, employing the hypnotic rolling drumlins and 50 acres
of lakes and streams to full and glorious effect. There are countless
strong holes but the stretch from 11 to 13 is sensational, with the
allure a nd danger of Lough Rud fully employed. Perhaps the greatest
testament to Merrigan’s work is that this plush course feels so very
natural.
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