GALWAY CITY TRIBUNE 61 FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 2014 CITY SPORT ’sGOLF top ten courses Salthill rated sixth best course in Galway after and

course that doesn’t get the credit KEVIN MARKHAM it deserves. This one is tucked www.theirishgolfblog.com away at the far end of one of Ire- land's unique landscapes and BEARNA Golf Club got in you should enjoy the journey as touch recently about a 'Top much as you relish the round. It's Ten Golf Courses in Galway' a links that plays over more open that they'd discovered online. ground with spectacular views of They sent over the link and it the Twelve Bens and ocean. was enough to make your hair Fairways are crumpled, dunes stand on end. pop up sporadically and the Not only was Bearna not on greens beg for bump and run. the list, neither was Connemara After the flatter holes of the Golf Links (aka Ballyconneely). opening nine the back nine Add in that the renowned Gal- changes pace entirely. Greater el- way Golf Club was listed as a '9 evation and greater thrills, with hole executive golf course' and a cracking final stretch. Holes 13 the list is shockingly bad. Actu- and 14 are a stand out par three, ally, it's embarrassing. par five combination, and the Part of the problem is that the par five-par five finish will ruin list was published in 2008, but many a scorecard when the type 'best courses in Galway' wind blows. into Google, and the list still makes the first page of results. The concern is that anyone 3. Galway Bay (1993) looking to play in Galway is Christy O'Connor Jr designed going to get inaccurate informa- and redesigned this course tion. Perhaps that's a bit strong, which races out to Galway Bay as some copy is relevant, but amid flurries of gorse, low bent then you get this: " trees and an ocean of bunkers. The approach to the 17th, the signature hole on Portumna Golf Course. Golf Course is one of Ireland’s Condition is excellent, greens oldest (over 80 years) and most are like velvet and the swans feel to it (his affinity for mound- loved golf clubs." perch on lakes like Hollywood ing came later), with plenty of Neither of those statements is starlets. sweeping doglegs, water fea- true. Yes, it is one of the oldest, Expect wind on a course that tures and a natural wildness that but it's 119 years old – a far cry demands accuracy between the is enchanting. A set of strong par from 'over 80'. That's like saying bunkers and which offers little threes provides a solid backbone the Dead Sea Scrolls are a few forgiveness around the greens. for this under-rated and ex- centuries old! And most golfers From the walk to the 1st tee you'll tremely enjoyable course. outside Galway and surrounding get a good chance to eye up the counties will never have heard course – look left and you’ll see of Ballinasloe, let alone love it. the 12th curling around a lake; 6. Galway (1895) It's a good country course but it’s a brute of a par four and pos- An oldie and a goodie. Galway 'most loved' is comparable to sibly the best hole of the round. falls into that 'classic parkland' 'probably the best lager in the bracket. It dates back to 1895, al- world' in terms of over- though the clubhouse is an en- selling.The plan, therefore, was 4. Bearna (1996) tirely more modern affair. Every- to produce a Top Ten Golf Perfect Connemara moorland thing works in harmony (even Courses in Galway which, would has provided a rich environment the four holes separated by the usurp such inaccuracies. Here’s for flora at Bearna, creating strik- road) and its design demon- the list: ing colours, dark turf and water strates the beauty of a mature features like chocolate. It also course and the skill of the de- creates the most intriguing signer. 1. Portumna (1913) rough; there isn’t much of it but Set into a gentle hillside, with A view from the tee box at the par four 14th on Connemara golf course. A beautiful and under-appre- if you happen to find it you can views over Galway Bay and out ciated parkland coasting over wave goodbye to your ball. to the , gorse These include an impressive 9. Ballinasloe (1894) the county, you'll find Cregmore the gently rolling terrain of an This is a relaxed kind of place abounds – as do bunkers which clubhouse and a wonderful pair Park to be well structured and old estate. It comes with big soli- where there is room to open threaten constantly. The greens of side-by-side par threes (3 and Ballinasloe is well over 100 routed across a flat and mostly tary oaks, dense woods of pine, your shoulders and have some have big shapes and are nearly 12). years old and is a country park- bare landscape. tall stone stacks (from where fun. Its easy rhythm rises as you always visible from the tee, land that can cause chaos if That may not sound thrilling ladies watched horse races) and move away from the sea and up showing just what is required of you're not playing smart golf. but bunkers and tall, wispy deer using the course as their the slopes for the final holes. you. 8. (1973) Doglegs abound, many on rough give strong structure to personal fiefdom. Here the views out to the Aran Is- Oughterard begins with a run short holes routed around holes and the greens are always It's lazy, sweet golf, with room lands and across to the Burren of holes curving over the gentlest trees. inviting targets. Arthur Spring, to play off the tee and attractive get even more spectacular with 7. (1902) of crests and between the trees. The top section of the course the designer, took simplicity and approach shots, made all the every step. Sweet, uncomplicated park- Greens open up from the crest- is on a gentle slope, which can turned it into something consid- more striking by the forest back- land. There are no climbs so it top and offer exciting shots in. make club selection just that lit- erably more dynamic. drops. The par five 17th is the promises a relaxing rhythm as It’s a sweet, uncomplicated start tle bit tricky; the bottom part hole of the round, tall pines on 5. (1924) you play between lines of ever- that gets you into the swing of plays over a bog and has a  Kevin Markham drove around the left, lake on the right, the Another Christy O'Connor Jr green trees towards tempting things. much wilder appeal. If a course Ireland in a camper van a few fairway curving between the creation and one that tumbles green sites. You have space to It may not be an A-lister but it is defined by the number of fun years back playing and reviwed two. over a peaceful, rolling land- play – but not too much – and does everything so well and so shots you have to play, Balli- every 18 hole golf course for a scape – the Slieve Aughty Moun- there's a strong finishing stretch smartly that you'll be having too nasloe delivers. book entitled ‘Hooked’. He has tains a mere turn of the head that builds the tempo. much fun to notice. an active blog and contributes to 1. Connemara (1973) away. Athenry does everything you This par 70 course comes with various golf magazines in Ire- As for Portumna, Connemara As one of his earlier creations, want of a strong country park- a splash of water (9th-11th) and a 10. Cregmore Park (2007) land and the UK, as well as other (in equal 1st position) is another there is a more natural flow and land with a few extras thrown in. dash of brilliance (par five 8th). 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