Mount Wolseley
Mount Juliet
The sylvan setting of the Mount Juliet estate is home to one of
Ireland’s most popular parklands. The course was designed by Jack
Nicklaus, and opened in 1991. Mount Juliet also boasts a magnificent
hotel and the Michelin-starred Lady Helen Restaurant. This is
top-tier stuff and the course is just as elegant, sweeping over the
landscape, through the trees and throwing in the occasional but
dramatic splash of water – the 3rd, 4th 13th and 18th most notably.
It is a generous course where golfers of all abilities will find plenty
to excite them, be it the short par three 3rd over water, the treeenshrined setting around the 13th green or the par five 17th, curving
between sentinel-like oaks. But perhaps most exciting of all is the
entire package, because the Mount Juliet experience is something
truly special.
Rosslare
Rosslar e sits alone on the south-east tip of the island, a low, fast
links streaking over sweet and subtle fairways into some deeper
dunes. It is all on show but you can be sure of hidden hollows,
unpredictable humps and deceptive approaches to greens. The
course sits on a narrow peninsula so all but one hole head out
or back, meaning wind is a very real factor when you turn for
home (the 8th). The terrain is used brilliantly, nowhere more so
than the long par four 11th. This is the hardest hole on the course,
typically playing into the wind. A good drive will still leave a
blind approach over a large ridge sliding across from the right. A
red and white pole offers directions to a sunken green but it is
always a daunting shot.
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The Heritage
Much of the attention focused on The Heritage concentrates on
Seve Ballesteros. It is little wonder. The enigmatic Seve still conjures
up all that is enthralling about the game of golf. And plenty of that
can be found at The Heritage, too. Opened in 2004, golfers are met
first by the statue of the great man and then the stylish clubhouse.
Head up to the balcony and look out over the stunning lake which
separates the 9th and 18th – two of the best holes which conclude
underneath the clubhouse. The course is laced with water but
it is only one of the challenges you’ll face as holes flow over the
gently shaped, open Co. Laois countryside. There are dramatic and
complex bunkers throughout and they define many holes – they
certainly intimidate off the tee and on approaches. This is a long
course so be grateful that landing areas are generous.
Mount Wolseley
One of our big parklands, Mount Wolseley comes with plenty
of muscle (back tees: 7,300 yards) as well as a smart hotel. This is
another Christy O’Connor Jr and choosing the right tee will make a
significant difference to your round. There is dynamic movement
to the landscape as emphasised by the opening three holes routed
through big trees and over water. This is as good/tough a start as
you will play (Indices 7, 3 and 1) but it gets you in the mood for a
round that demands strong driving. The many bunkers splashed
about protect fairways and greens vigorously, and the big, slick
putting surfaces are hard to gauge. Most of the long holes are
doglegs and the short 4th may be the biggest risk vs. reward hole
in Ireland. A sharp dogleg of 338 yards, the green is only 260 yards
away, directly over a lake.