Favourite Hole: The par four 14th is a tough
dogleg around a lake but from the high tee you’ll
really want to smash the driver.
What's in the Bag? Smallish greens run fast and
true so pay attention to pin positions.
Loughrea
Loughrea was extended by close to 1,000 yards when the
club acquired additional land in 2002. This allowed a quiet
country course, first extended to 18 holes by Eddie Hackett in
1992, to build four new holes and extend its par to 71. Today,
it measures 5,825 metres from the back tees. It is the natural
feel of Loughrea’s terrain that makes golf here such a pleasure.
There is no need for glamorous touches on a course where
the landscape does all of the work… very much the design
principle of Hackett. Trees frame holes on the opening nine
especially. They’re not too intrusive but you still need to be
straight. The back nine elevates proceedings with some tricky
water features and open, tossing countryside. Even so, you can
open the shoulders here, especially on holes 13 to 15 where
you’ll get a true feel for Loughrea’s shapely terrain.
www.loughreagolfclub.com
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