Corballis
Castleknock
Opened in 2006, Castleknock wraps around a stylish clubhouse. The
drive in shows off a hotel and several holes. It is a tasty introduction
to this new suburban course where holes move over a shapely
terrain. As a young course it feels quite open so it is left to the
well-placed, attractive bunkers and water features to threaten tee
shots and approaches. Greens are often hidden by the swells of the
fairway. There are five par fives and five par threes, which keep things
interesting, and this is most noticeable on the impressive side-by-
side par threes – the 9th and 18th – which hit over a lake to a double
green beneath the clubhouse.
Corballis
Corballis has the honour of being the only public links in
Ireland. It lies next door to the mighty Island Golf Club, even
sharing some of the same dunes. A par of just 66 (seven par
threes and only one par five), this is tremendous fun and
great value. It is also an ideal introduction to links golf with all
the trials and tribulations that links golf can bring. Stretched
along the coastline near Donabate, with views to Howth and
Ireland’s Eye, there are several excellent holes here. The new
holes (4 to 7), designed by Ron Kirby in 2009, are the most
thrilling: two cracking par threes and two short, testing par
fours.
68
St Margaret’s
It has been a fantastic return to form for one of Dublin’s most
enjoyable parklands. St Margaret’s plays over mostly gentle
terrain, with mature trees and lakes adding colour and challenges.
Where there are changes in elevation they are used to dramatic
effect – on the par three 5th particularly – but this is about the
easy rhythm and holes curving gently between the ever-present
trees to sweet greens. The lakes add tremendously to the heart
of the course (holes 7, 8, 12 and 13) and especially on the long
Index 2 18th. The par threes are all strong and the facilities are
excellent.
Balbriggan
Balbriggan Golf Club is a rhythmic flowing parkland to the north
of Co. Dublin. The course was redeveloped in 2009, by Eddie
Connaughton, and the club has benefitted as a result. The water
features which come in to play on seven holes have added to the
character, but the course has and will always be defined by the
strong movements to the land and the dense evergreen corridors,
through which the holes sweep. It promises many thrilling shots.
The new greens always make attractive targets, especially where the
water comes in to play. Enjoy the 1st hole – it is a perfect appetiser
for what is to come.