Galgorm Castle
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.
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 is what is
affectionately known as a card-wrecker.
Galgorm Castle
Parkland golf doesn’t get much more elegant or tranquil than
this. Two rivers run through the course while charming lakes
lace several fairways. They threaten and divide holes. With
no changes in elevation this is as gentle a round as you’ll
find… but it is also the home of the Northern Irish Open, so
you know the quality will be excellent. Galgorm Castle is
not designed to be punishing but the doglegs will test your
positioning skills and the water can prove magnetic. And then
there are the many mature trees spread over the estate (the
castle lies to your left on the drive in). Very inviting greens the
whole way around, sweet par threes and great facilities, too.
Hilton Templepatrick
From the back tees, Hilton Templepatrick is a beast of over 7,000
yards – a result no doubt of its championship ambitions when
it was opened in 1999 – but from the mortals’ forward tees it
measures 6,200. Regardless, this is an expansive parkland affair
behind the Hilton hotel and it flows over a gentle landscape.
There is lots of water and the estate’s mature trees have been
used to give character throughout the course… with many more
trees planted since opening. The five lakes, stream and river
may be the most prominent features but you will undoubtedly
remember the remarkable and very inviting green complexes.
145