Gowran Park
Gowran Park
A golf course which combines tree-lined parkland holes with race-
course holes. Yes, this is the only course in Ireland that asks you
to play into a horse racing track… and out again. And the course is
all the more entertaining for it. You start and finish inside the rails,
playing over undulating, exposed terrain, buttered with gorse. Then
it’s into the woods for a parkland feast where you’ll do well to avoid
the trees (just wait till the straight par four 15th) and several water
features (the par four 4th, par five 8th and 12th are particularly
vexing). The ‘clubhouse’ sits on the third floor of the racing stands,
with views for miles.
Greenore
Greenore sits on the Cooley Peninsula, curving around
Carlingford Lough, where an old train line mirrors the shape
of the beach below. Several front nine tee boxes sit up here,
promising tempting shots to the fairways and greens below.
This is mostly a flat, open course with some links-like undulations
close to the sea and matchstick-like pines soaring above holes
closer to the clubhouse. It is a fun mix in an attractive setting
where water features threaten often. So, too, does the wind.
Expect a big day with the driver and with so much space you’ll
want to open your shoulders.
Portarlington
As gentle and peaceful a parkland as you could hope to find,
Portarlington sits a couple of miles outside town alongside the River
Barrow. The course weaves through mature trees and demands
strong driving and an impressive ability to draw or fade the ball on six
holes. It tests you plenty without ever losing the joy of playing here.
Index 1 is a prime example: it is a par four of over 400 metres, sliding
through a tight corridor of Beech and Oak, but two more wonderful
shots you will not hit… and you might well encounter red squirrels
en route to the hole. Behind the green lies the river which makes
a dramatic appearance late in the round. This is a well maintained,
lovely country course, which punches way above its weight. In holes
7, 8, 14 and 15, Portarlington has some of the best holes you’ll play.
Headfort (Old)
Headfort’s Old course opened in 1928, stretching elegantly
across the bucolic Headfort Estate. When the exceptional New
course arrived in 2000, the shorter Old took a back seat… yet
this is pure parkland golf with swathes of mature trees providing
tremendous character to holes. Many tower over tee boxes and
form intimidating backdrops. It is a charming par 72, with the
gentle undulations promising nice views of the hole and tempting
targets off the tee. There are no climbs and, combined with the
rhythm of the trees, golf here is peaceful and easy. That’s not to
say the course itself is easy. Even though there is no water there
are subtle doglegs everywhere and that means trees will prove
a nightmare if you stray offline. Then there are the small greens
which can only be attacked if you are on the fairways.
49