Destination Golf Ireland 2019 * | Page 116

Favourite Hole: The par four 13th is one of the most stimulating holes you will play in Ireland, with a tiny green hiding behind two sentry dunes… none of which can be seen from the high tee. What's in the Bag? A sense of adventure and finding creative ways to play this beautiful game. Strandhill The sea squeezes this stunning links on two sides. Riders of the waves prefer the west, while riders of horses favour the south. You’ll see them from a course that hugs the water but also rises up the dunes in the centre, sending holes scattering down the bumpy slopes to some severely undulating, natural greens. There’s no magic design formula (the members did much of it), which works in Strandhill’s favour because holes like the 5th, 13th and 15th are off the charts for sheer fun and adventure. The smart clubhouse sits at the top, too, showing off much of the course. Appreciate it for what it is… an absolute gem and a quirky one at that. The course is currently undergoing a series of upgrades by Ally McIntosh, with new bunkering providing additional character and challenge to many holes. Perhaps, most telling of all, is the club’s tagline which is ‘Friendship in Sport’… and that says it all for Strandhill. www.strandhillgolfclub.com 114