WIN COVER 2016 09/12/2015 12:07 Page 1 INSIDE: IRISH ON TOUR • GOLF IN IRELAND 2016 Annual Edition 2016 Price €4.95 £3.50stg A MOUTH-WATERING SEASON FOR 2016 POLAND FOR CHOICE Please keep on sale until March 31st,2016 THE DEFINITIVE VOICE OF GOLF IN IRELAND THE DEFINITIVE VOICE OF IRISH GOLF Annual 2016 Publisher/Editor: Robert Heuston foreword Advertising: James Small t says much about the standards set over the last eight years that in a season without a ‘Major’ 2015 comprised of many fine victories and highlights with Design: four different winners on the US PGA Tour, while two of the four World Golf John Barrett Ichampionship events were claimed by Irish golfers. Since 2007 no other country with the exception of the United States can come close to our percentage wins in Production: the flagship events totalling nine Major Championships and three WGC triumphs Emma Meade in that period which is impressive. Contributors: The 2015 list of winners includes Padraig Harrington (Honda Classic), Shane Lowry Charlie Mulqueen (WGC Bridgestone Invitational), Graeme McDowell (OHL Mayakoba Classic) and four wins from Rory McIIroy (Dubai Desert Classic, WGC–Cadillac Match Play Championship, Philip Reid Wells Fargo Championship and DP World Tour Championship). (Irish Times) For McIIroy his ankle injury suffered during a soccer ‘kick about’ mid–season was a key factor in him losing his status as World No.1 (for now). The end of season Greg Allen (RTE Radio) victory however in Dubai provides us with a sign that Rory is coming back to his best form and we look forward with great anticipation to the revival of his rivalry Declan Brennan with Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler amongst others in 2016. (Freelance) There were other highlights including Amateur Paul Dunne who shocked the golf world by leading The Open Championship at St. Andrews after 54 holes and while Emma Meade his hopes evaporated on the Sunday he went on to claim his Tour card in November. (Freelance) We hope that the Greystones man leads the charge of the new generation that will keep Ireland at the forefront of International golf. Photography: Alex Jackson The year ahead promises a mouth–watering selection of quality golf with Paul Wayne Scott McGinley, Irish Captain for the Olympic Games and Darren Clarke assuming the PGA of America mantle of European Ryder Cup Captain. Polish National Tourist Office The Olympics take place in Rio de Janeiro in August with Team Ireland likely to TaylorMade Adidas Golf be comprised from 2 of 3 from McIlroy, Lowry and McDowell in the Men’s event and Visit Scotland Stephanie Meadow and possibly Leona Maguire in the Ladies. Much may change in the months ahead however golf’s return to the Olympics will be seen by many as a welcome Front Cover Picture: addition to the 2016 calendar. Darren Clarke – Hazeltine is the venue from September 30th – October 2nd when Europe and the TaylorMade Adidas Golf United States lock horns and re–commence battle for the Samuel Ryder Trophy. Poland Pictures: Clarke’s good friend Davis Love 111 is the rival captain and one thing for sure is that Front Cover – Sand Valley Golf the battle for places will be exciting and intense. & Country Club The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open heads to the K Club in May and offers a purse of www.sandvalley.pl ?4million, a 60% rise from 2015 making the event one of the highest prize funds on Contents – Sierra Golf Club Tour. It also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Straffan venue and the www.sierra.pl 10th anniversary of Ryder Cup 2006. Looking further ahead the R&A announced earlier this year that Royal Portrush will host the 148th Open Championship in 2019 Distribution: which is also a significant boost for the island of Ireland. Easons Newspread In this edition our Travel pages visit Poland which is now firmly on the map as a leading WNS golf destination and has established itself as having some of the best courses in Europe. Also Scotland – The Home of Golf where top–class golf courses are available for visitors. Published by: Closer to home we explore a selection of great golf course and accommodation options Select Media Ltd throughout Ireland which will offer Societies and Visitors alike great value in 2016. 26 Clare Street, There is so much to appreciate about the golf courses of Ireland and we are Dublin 2, Ireland blessed with some of greatest designs in the world today. This issue comprises of Golfing Gems including Dromoland Castle Golf & Country Club, Macreddin Golf Club Tel: + 353 1 6622266 in County Wicklow, Headfort Golf Club in the Royal County of Meath and the stunning Email: links that is Portsalon in County Donegal. [email protected] Irish Golf Review will continue to keep you fully in touch with what’s been happening in all facets of the game on an island where golf’s popularity has never been greater. All material contained in this The team at Irish Golf Review would like to wish our readers, contributors and edition is copyright of Irish Golf advertisers a Happy New Year and all the best for 2016. Review 2015 and may not be reproduced or electronically Until the next time………….. stored without the permission of the publisher. However items Robert Heuston may be freely reproduced provided the source is acknowledged. Publisher/Editor Irish Golf Review 3 Annual Edition 2016 Contents Poland For Choice Features Poland is now firmly on the map as a leading golf destination and has established itself as having some of the best golf courses in Europe. TheIrish season onpast reflected Tour many fine victories and highlights for Irish Golfers on the European and US PGA Tours, Page 42 writes Greg Allen (RTE Radio) Page 24 DARDar Golf Golf Construction Construction is an Irish Company that specialises in Golf Course Construction as we report in this edition of Irish Golf Review. Page 56 Charlie2016 Mulqueen in Focuslooks forward to a mouth–watering season in 2016 which includes The Olympics and Ryder Cup. InGolf this edition in Irelandwe provide a profile 2016 on a selection of leading Page 28 golf courses and accommodation providers throughout the provinces of Ireland. Page 60 Scotland Delights Irish Golf Review explores Scotland – The Home of Golf Golf Course Features where top-class golf courses and quality accommodation await for visitors. Page 34 TheMacreddin spectacular Macreddin Golf Golf Club Clubis set within the scenic Wicklow countryside. It was designed by Ryder Cup winning Captain, Paul McGinley who has created a challenge for all golfers. Page 32 4 Irish Golf Review Dromoland Castle Golf Portsalon Golf ClubPortsalon Golf Club is one of & Country Club the nine founding members of The Dromoland Castle Golf & Country Club golf course on the the Golfing union of Ireland and Dromoland Estate is a captivating test of golf, surrounded by has a proud tradition with a great the wonders of the Irish Countryside. golfing history. Page 54 Page 72 A Golfers Getaway in The RoyalMake it your Countymission in 2016 to visit one of Ireland’s leading parkland courses at Headfort Golf Club in Kells, County Meath and stay in the equally renowned Titanic Golf Club Golf in Turkey Club offers golf lovers a very special Headfort Arms Hotel. experience and is surrounded by the Taurus Mountains and Page 74 the Mediterranean. Page 58 Subscriber Offer Subscribe to Irish Golf Review and have each delivered to your doorstep over the next 12 months. Page 81 Irish Golf Review 5 NEWS ROYALRoyal Portrush Golf Links PORTRUSH TO HOST THE OPEN IN 2019 he R&A has announced that The 148th Open will be played at Peter Unsworth, the Chairman of The R&A’s Championship Committee, Royal Portrush in 2019, marking a historic return to Northern said: “We are very much looking forward to bringing The Open to Royal Ireland for golf’s oldest Championship after nearly 70 years. Portrush in 2019 and believe it will be a tremendous venue for the T The Open, which was played at Royal Portrush in 1951, when Championship. We know there is great anticipation throughout Ireland Englishman Max Faulkner lifted the famous Claret Jug, is expected to be at the prospect of welcoming the world’s top golfers and it promises to the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland, generating be a hugely memorable week. We are delighted with the progress being more than £70 million in terms of economic impact and destination made on the course preparations and they will undoubtedly enhance the marketing benefit. challenge presented by these historic links.” Northern Ireland will be at the centre of the global sporting spotlight Ryder Cup Captain Clarke said: “This is going to be absolutely huge for from July 18th–21st, 2019, as The Open is staged outside of Scotland Northern Ireland and, indeed, Ireland as a whole. To have the world’s and England for only the second time in the Championship’s more than biggest and best golf Championship played at such a fantastic venue as 150–year history with sports fans from throughout Ireland and around Royal Portrush, with all the passion that the Irish fans will bring to the the world expected to descend upon the town of Portrush. event, is going to be amazing.” Royal Portrush proved a huge success when it hosted the Irish Open in His fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who lifted the Claret Jug at 2012, when tickets sold out on all four tournament days – a first on The Royal Liverpool in 2014, added: “Royal Portrush is one of my favourite European Tour.