DESTINATION GOLF 2022 2026
Co. Armagh
Rosapenna( Old Tom Morris Links)
Today’ s course combines Old Tom Morris with new Pat Ruddy, who designed a new nine holes in 2009. These form today’ s front nine away from the sea. The dunes here are bumpy and low, allowing Ruddy to create plenty of deception, especially on green approaches. Old Tom’ s classic holes( with plenty of Colt and a sprinkling of Braid and Vardon) snuggle up to Sheephaven Bay, behind the resort’ s hotel. These are so natural and fluid, and they use the landscape to perfection. You only have to look at the greens to appreciate that.
Ballycastle
Seaside golf on the north coast of Antrim. There are so many elements to this course that it’ s hard to keep up or anticipate what’ s coming next. It is a stream of thrills. Ballycastle opens with a barrage of five parkland holes, before switching to links holes – a quick taste – and then up onto the headland to embrace the views across to Rathlin Island and Scotland beyond. Here you tackle the breezes that blow across the sea. A final links flourish leads you home and you’ ll be wondering which hole is your favourite. Possibly the 301-yard 6th, the first of the links holes, with a fairway of mesmerising shape, leading upwards to the green. It is called Hog’ s Back and it is easy to see why.
Co. Armagh
From the clubhouse you will get an inkling of the sort of golf course you’ ll be playing. Gentle swells, heaving trees, fine routing … they all combine to make this little known course a very worthwhile destination. At times you’ ll be amazed by the setting because this is on the edge of Armagh town, yet many of the holes are completely immersed in trees and peacefulness. Co. Armagh is also old and, on this landscape, that means big mature trees and holes gliding between them. There are water features, but not too many, and the finishing stretch with a new par three 18th hole is what is affectionately known as a card-wrecker.
Spa
This is a tidy, often turbulent parkland in the heart of Co. Down. It starts as it means to go on with a sweet and straight par four between the trees, rising to a flag that tempts you from the tee box. There is plenty of wild woodland scattered over fine flowing countryside and it gives Spa a certain elegance. From the clubhouse look down the 9th and 18th, which sit in parallel, and you’ ll appreciate the shapes Spa throws at you. Both holes descend into a deep dip before rising quickly to the green. The par three 2nd and 17th are two of the highlights, but this is a strong parkland from start to finish.
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