The Heritage
The Heritage
Much of the attention focused on The Heritage concentrates on
the Seve Ballesteros connection (and design). It is little wonder. The
enigmatic Seve still conjures up all that is enthralling about the game
of golf. And plenty of that can be found at The Heritage, too. The
course opened in 2004, and golfers are met first by the statue of
the great man and then the stylish clubhouse. It is worth heading
up to the balcony and looking out over the stunning lake which
separates the 9th and 18th – two of the best holes which both
conclude underneath the clubhouse. The course is laced with water
but it is only one of the challenges you’ll face as holes flow over the
gently shaped, open Co. Laois countryside. There are dramatic and
complex bunkers throughout and they define many holes – they
certainly intimidate off the tee and on approaches.
Palmerstown House Estate
The site of a former stud, this is a muscular course built with
championship ambitions. It has that grand, glamorous feel, it
has space and length, it has a magnificent clubhouse (part of
Palmerstown House which dates back to the 1860s) and no
expense was spared in its creation. Here, water abounds with
13 holes introducing ponds, lakes and streams. From the back
tees the course measures 7,419 yards, but from the regular tees
it is a more modest and manageable 6,468 yards – Christy
O’Connor Jr was kind enough to provide four men’s tees.
Gentle mounding steers you past pampas grasses, flowerbeds
and tall trees, over generous fairways, around the water
features and towards big swinging greens.
Tullamore
Trees, trees, and more trees… Tullamore is a wonderfully wooded
course where the oak, beech and chestnut get very, very friendly.
It is an enchanting setting but if you have an unruly draw or fade
you will face intimidating shots time and again… especially off
the tee. Here you will find sensational greens, smart routing,
several knee-jangling doglegs and a superbly maintained course.
This is why Tullamore is discussed in such glowing terms. It may
not be long (par 70, 6,472 yards off the back tees) but it demands
your full respect. And when the course opens up slightly (the
5th to 8th) lakes present serious threats, while the Slieve Bloom
Mountains provide the backdrop. The final three holes will test
the best.
40
From the back tees the course
measures 7,419 yards, but from
the regular tees it is a more
modest and manageable
6,468 yards.