The Heritage
The Heritage
Much of the attention focused on The Heritage concentrates on
the Seve Ballesteros connection (and design). It is little wonder. The
enigmatic Seve still conjures up all that is enthralling about the game
of golf. The course opened in 2004, and golfers are met first by the
statue of the great man and then the stylish clubhouse. It is worth
heading up to the balcony and looking out over the stunning lake
which separates the 9th and 18th – two of the best holes which
both 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.
Tullamore
Trees, trees, and more trees… Tullamore is a wonderfully wooded
course where the oak, beech and chestnut get very, very friendly.
It is an enchanting setting but if you have an unruly draw or fade
you will face intimidating shots time and again… especially off
the tee. Here you will find sensational greens, smart routing,
several knee-jangling doglegs and a superbly maintained course.
This is why Tullamore is discussed in such glowing terms. It may
not be long (par 70, 6,472 yards off the back tees) but it demands
your full respect. And when the course opens up slightly (the
5th to 8th) lakes present serious threats, while the Slieve Bloom
Mountains provide the backdrop. The final three holes will test
the best.
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Headfort (New)
Headfort has two very different but excellent parkland courses.
The New opened in 2001, spread across a swathe of the old
Headfort Estate. It is home to majestic trees, bountiful water
features and two islands which are at the heart of the course. Holes
fit elegantly into the undulating landscape and, despite its length
(6,164m middle tees), every shot is enjoyable. Big (and straight)
hitters will love it. The par threes are exceptional. The natural water
features are, not surprisingly, a constant highlight, appearing in one
shape or another on the opening 10 holes, as well as three more.
Holes 9 and 10 demand big drives over a lake, so finding land is a
victory. A couple of pretty walks to and from tees only adds to the
feeling that this course has been here a long time.
Rosslare
Rosslare 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 two holes 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.