K Club (Smurfit)
Seapoint
Seapoint offers two distinct sets of holes, right next door to
Co. Louth Golf Club. Indeed, Seapoint’s closing holes could
easily be an extension of the great Baltray links as they back on
to each other. The front nine play over sedate terrain, where
trees border the course and fairways glide smoothly between
low, rolling shoulders of dunes. Gorse plays its part emphasising
the importance of accurate driving and the doglegs have to
be respected. The turf is tight and while it doesn’t quite feel
like a links, this is exactly what it is. The back nine ramp up the
temperature, introducing the shapes and subtleties that make
links golf such fun.
K Club (Smurfit)
The K Club Smurfit course opened in 2003. Like its sibling, it
was designed by Arnold Palmer, with the aim of offering a very
different experience to the Ryder Cup course. The Smurfit is a
shapely beast with huge shoulders of earth creating channels to
play through. And water is a frequent visitor especially on the
strong back nine. The cliff and lake that dominate the 7th hole
are an intriguing (man-made) feature… but it is the final six holes
that will tempt you and test you most. The par five 18th requires
at least two excellent shots over water. The course has its own
entrance and impressive clubhouse, and considerable recent
investment has enhanced playing conditions.
Tulfarris
Tulfarris is a splash of lakeside heaven set on the Blessington
Lakes. Holes press up against the water time and again on both
the front and back nines, and even the inland holes have to
deal with some water features. All that water might make it
sound tough – and it is certainly no place for the faint of heart
– but this is beautiful golf. The course wraps around the hotel
and you only have to take a stroll around the buildings to
appreciate what the course has to offer. Recent investment has
helped to give the entire resort an important lift with pathways,
drainage and bunkering all being improved. And then there are
the holes themselves: the par threes are all delicious and the
closing four holes are an excellent mix of challenges and thrills.
The Smurfit is a shapely
beast with huge shoulders of
earth creating channels to play
through.
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