Irish golf is not just about links courses, therefore it's easy to understand why Great Britain and Ireland will defend the Ryder Cup against the Americans at the Kildare Golf Hotel and Country Club next September. Ireland is blessed with one third of the seaside links courses that exist in the world, dotted all around the coastline of the Emerald Isle, but some of the best parkland tests are to be found in the Irish countryside, many of them in old country estates. As sporting events go the Ryder Cup attracts the third largest viewing audience for any sporting event world-wide, the only bigger events being the World Cup and the Olympics. But when the television cameras beam the action from the 36th confrontation between the teams next September, all eyes will be on the tiny village of Straffan in County Kildare. If ever a golf course reflected the personality of its architect, it is surely this 7337 yards track Arnold Palmer designed and officially opened in July 1991. Acknowledged as the country's most challenging layouts covering some 220 acres of prime Kildare landscape, negotiating 11 lakes and the River Liffey, the course provides a stiff examination of technique, temperament and skill. Out of bounds left and an imposing cross bunker off the first tee sets the tone of what lies ahead but as a par 5 it offers a realistic birdie opportunity. The second hole is a much more fearsome proposition, a sharp dogleg left where water threatens the drive and approach. The third is an alluring par 3 where a watery grave awaits any tee shot left of the green while the next three holes guide you away from the club house with the second of the par 3s played across a pond directly towards the ruins of an ancient church. The seventh has been described as the greatest par 5 in Ireland. Measuring over 600 yards from the back markers, it is one long, adventurous and perilous voyage of discovery. There then follows a lovely walk through the trees to the eighth tee. The path passes behind the back of the Kildare Hotel and offers marvelous views of the hotel and its delightful gardens. The entire length of the hole accompanies a bend in the River Liffey. The ninth "Eye of the Needle" isn't quite as difficult as the names implies but with a giant tree standing defiantly in the centre of the fairway, a par four here provides a satisfactory conclusion to the outward half. Two comfortable par fours are followed by a stunning par three played over water to a shallow angled green in the start to the back nine. The 13th is an excellent par 5 and appropriately is named "Arnold's Pick." A very long tee shot can set up the prospect of going for the green in two, but whichever the hole is played, the myriad of bunkers, trees and water must all be negotiated. Next comes an extremely challenging trio of par four holes. The 14th is very long and uphill, the next is dramatically downhill while a watery grave awaits the 16th. Countless promising rounds have been shipwrecked at this stroke index one hole. Nestling beside the banks of the river with a splendid backdrop of trees, the last of the par three holes resembles a scene from a Constable painting. Not only is the 18th brilliantly conceived, it is the perfect finishing hole. There is more than one way to play it, but the hole's very shape encourages - and rewards - a daring strategy. Fulfilling the dream doesn't come cheap - not that the starter's sheet has too many vacancies. There's no change out of one thousand euro for a four-ball (including buggy) but cost doesn't come into the equation in the quest to play this wonderful course ahead of the world's best. While all eyes may be focussed on the Ryder Cup venue, the Smurfit Course at the K Club has been described as probably the greatest inland course to be developed in Ireland. The course has many dramatic landscapes with dune type mounding throughout. Some 14 acres of water have been worked into the design, especially through the final phase of holes 13 to 18. The added bonus here is the course has been forced to take a back seat in the build up to next year's historic event with a tee off time virtually guaranteed. Another double-header relatively new and within easy travelling distance of Dublin city centre is the Citywest Hotel Conference, Leisure and Golf resort. Just 20 minutes from the city centre and Dublin airport, the complex boasts two courses (The Championship course and the Lakes course). The health and leisure club provides one of the most luxurious leisure facilities in Ireland. A state-of-the-art gymnasium, a large deck swimming pool, extensive spa facilities, steam rooms, and a range of beauty treatment and tanning facilities are available. The Christy O'Connor Championship course in a wonderful parkland setting includes perfectly manicured fairways and superb putting surfaces. The par four sixth hole is regarded as the key hole to the outward half while the 18th is considered one of the greatest finishing holes in Ireland. An acute level of accuracy is required from the tee. A narrow gap is protected by mature trees on both sides of the fairway and at the same time the first of two lakes running down the left side must be avoided. The main obstacle facing the second shot to the green is a lake that runs right up to front edge of the putting surface. First glimpse of the Lakes course consisting of eight par 3s and a par of just 65 suggests a low scoring round but played with a stiff breeze circulating, it's far from easy. Various water features and impressive bunkering ensures the course is aptly named and the challenging nature explains its recent involvement in professional events and continued popularity among societies and groups. Inland courses in Ireland have been carved out of mountain sides, through valleys, alongside rivers and lakes, atop cliffs and in tree-lined country estates. The hidden gems are not just confined to seaside courses and one of the lesser known inland courses worth discovering includes Coollattin Golf Club. Set in mature trees, yardage of this course is not long, but what is lost in length is more than made up in accuracy. Nine new holes built in 1996 by Peter McEvoy contrast greatly from the old nine. The Garden Hole (the 12th measuring just 124 yards) looks straightforward, but it is a postage stamp green. Find the green a birdie putt awaits, miss the green and a par becomes a rarity. The new 16th hole is also a personal favourite of the designer. A short par 4 is made more difficult because of the trees in the fairway and out of bounds left. "To me these two holes epitomise Coollattin, beautiful and subtle," said McEvoy. "I feel it is the best site we have ever had to work with. It wasn't easy but it was very enjoyable." Coollatin house was built in 1796 but it was not until 1995 the golf club acquired the house and 63 acres of land for a sum of £555,000. Long-term plans are in hand to refurbish the house and when completed will add a tremendous facility to Shillelagh Village. In the meantime the four-star Glenview Hotel situated in the Glen O' the Downs offers a high standard of hospitality and comfort and is within easy reach of many golf courses in the Dublin area. Facilities on offer at the 70-bedroomed hotel set in elegant surroundings and stunning views include body treatments and skincare for both sexes, a five-star leisure club and snooker room. Hospitality at the 19th hole is well renowned in Ireland but for anybody looking to sample the traditional "Olde World" charm, then a visit to Johnnie Fox's pub is a must. Situated snugly in the small rural hamlet of Glencullen, the winding roads take you on a breath-taking scenic route on the way to the highest pub in Ireland. The stone-flagged floor, strewn with sawdust, is hammered nightly by dancing feet and accompanied by first-class entertainment - not to mention the delicious home-cooked cuisine. Competition between low-cost airlines and ferry companies has increased in recent years but there are several advantages when you travel with your own car (ie not having to lug golf clubs and luggage). Irish Ferries make five crossings daily from Holyhead to Dublin and a further two from Pembroke to Rosslare. The Ulysses, the largest car ferry in the world takes three hours 15 minutes and the fast ferry the Dublin Swift only 1hr 49mins. The fare structure is flexible with choice of route, vessel, time of year and length of stay determining the cost. ********** The K Club,
Straffan, Co Kildare.
Tel 01 6017300.
Email: golf@kclub.ie
Green fees: Jan/Mar: residents 75 euros. Non res 115 euros; Apl & Oct 90/185 euros; May/Sept 105/265 euros. Special group rates 265 euros. Coollattin Golf Club,
Coollattin, Shillelagh, Co. Wicklow.
Tel 00353 055 29125.
Email: coollattingolfclub@eircom.net
Web: www.coollattingolfclub.com
Green fees 35/45 euros. 30 euros for groups of 20 or more. Citywest Hotel Conference, Leisure and Golf Resort,
Saggart, Co Dublin, Ireland.
Tel 00353 1 401 0500.
Web: www.citywesthotel.com/golf.htm
Green fees: residents 25/40 euros; Individuals 30/45 euros. The Glenview Hotel,
Glen of the Downs, Delgany, Co Wicklow.
Tel 00353 0 1287 3399.
Email sales@glenviewhotel.com Johnnie Fox's,
Glencullen, Co Dublin.
Tel 00353 055 2955647. Irish Ferries (UK) Ltd,
Corn Exchange, Brunswick Street, Liverpool, L2 7TP.
Telephone bookings & general inquiries: Tel 08705 17 17 17.
Email: ferriestoireland@irishferries.co.uk
Web: www.irishferries.com For further information on golfing or indeed holidaying in Ireland:
Web: www.tourismireland.com or call 0800 039 70. | 
Golfing Destinations
