Oughterard
Castlebar
If you like to think your way around a golf course, then Castlebar
is just the ticket. With a par of 71 and a length of 5,555 metres
(middle tees), this is a course big hitters may feel they can take
apart. That won’t happen. This is a tidy, often tight, undulating,
tree-lined parkland just outside Castlebar town. Water
features prominently, too, so tackling the greens requires smart
positioning off the tee. Eighteen new greens were added in 2001,
taking Castlebar to a whole new level, with putting surfaces and
shapes described in glowing terms by all who have experienced
them. New holes are under construction.
Athenry
A strong country parkland moving easily between the trees and
into a woodland setting for several holes. This is country golf at
its finest, with good maintenance, nice flourishes and one good
hole after another. The 1st hole skirts a fairy ring while the par
three 12th hits alongside a desolate, broken wood. There are
no elevation changes so it is left to the trees and gently curling
fairways to challenge you.The course can play short so be sure to
play it from the back tees for the full experience – 5,859 metres,
par 70. A comfortable clubhouse awaits your return.
Gort
Gort embraces 160 acres of bumpy, tossing, Co. Clare
countryside. Some holes have big changes in elevation while
others are far more gentle, but the course can change its shape
within a few yards. It keeps you on your toes as these holes
combine some tricky doglegs, blind drives, ponds and four very
good par threes. The course opened in 1996 and was designed
by Christy O’Connor Jr. The shapeliness of the landscape was
ideal for him and he has created a course which will entertain all
levels of golfers. The views stretch in every direction, including to
the Slieve Aughty mountains and hills of Clare.
Oughterard
Oughterard has two things that make it stand out: the greens are
large and beautifully shaped (thanks to new ones built at the end
of the 1990s); and eight par fours fall between 370 and 400 metres,
from the middle white tees… making Oughterard quite the test.
The par of 70 stretches to 5,876 metres. The real fun comes on
the approach shots through avenues of trees to raised and inviting
greens. They promise deliciously tempting shots. There is only one
significant dogleg and it’s the double dogleg par five 8th… which also
happens to be the best hole on the course.
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