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Grange
Roganstown
Designed by Christy O’Connor Jr, Roganstown opened in 2004.
The course flows over a 300 acre estate which encircles a beautiful
Georgian house, now home to the resort’s plush 52 bedroom
hotel. This is a long, straight course where holes glide over a gentle
landscape and between rolling, tree-planted mounds. Water plays
a major role on 12 holes and, despite the strong bunkering, this is
without doubt a driver’s course. The biggest test is the approach to
well-defended greens… although the par five 18th stretches to 600
yards from the back tees.
Castle
One of Dublin’s premier parklands, Castle Golf Club is tucked
away in quiet Rathfarnham suburbia. It has a lovely rhythm over
flattish terrain, which is no doubt a testament to the work of the
famous golf architect, Harry Colt. Corridors of evergreens give
a dark air to the course and certainly they can make for tight
driving, with holes curling left or right. It will only take a few
holes to realise that while Castle is a short par 72, it will make
a fool of you if you don’t find the fairways. A class course from
start to the very tricky finish.
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Grange
Grange is an old and highly regarded Dublin parkland, designed by
James Braid. It is just three years older than nearby Castle, but it
has a very different rhythm. The variety of exceptionally attractive
trees and terrain means you will find constant shifts in pace, shape
of holes and the challenges that face you. Nowhere is this more
obvious than the renowned two opening holes – back-to-back par
threes. The 1st rises 173 metres; the 2nd drops 122 metres, over a
stream. Trees surround you for both. Grange has an open woodland
feel, something emphasised by the pretty wood which separates the
two stretches of nine holes. It is a quality and colourful course, with
a striking clubhouse and an additional six holes.
Beech Park
One of Dublin’s prettiest courses, Beech Park lies to the south of
the N7. Such is the density of deciduous trees that this is more
woodland than parkland. On the more open front nine trees still
shadow you every step of the way. On the back nine the trees
close in. Combined with the water features it makes Beech Park a
charming round of golf. It is short for a par 72 but the trees add scale
and give holes individuality. Nowhere is this more apparent than on
the club’s ‘Amen Corner’, where the par five 13th doglegs non-stop
around a natural lake.