Ireland shines - Ireland

Feb 1 2005

Alan Hedley, Golf North East

Factfile Waterford Castle The Island, Ballinakill, Waterford, Co. Waterford, Ireland Tel: 00 353 51 871633 Fax: 00 353 51 871634 Email: Waterford Castle Web: Waterford Castle Faithlegg Golf Club Faithlegg, Co. Waterford, Ireland Tel: 00 353 51 382241 Fax: 00 353 51 382664 Email: Faithlegg Reservations: Reservations Web: Faithlegg GC Mount Juliet Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, Ireland Tel: 00 353 56 7773064 and 73000 Fax: 00 353 56 7773078 and 73019 Email: Mount Juliet Web: Mount Juliet Tramore Golf Club Newton Hill, Tramore, Co. Waterford, Ireland Tel: 00353 51 386170 Fax: 00 353 51 390961 Email: Tramore Golf Tower Hotel The Mall, Waterford, Co. Waterford, Ireland Tel: 00 353 51 875801 Fax: 00 353 51 870129 Email: Reservations Web: Towel Hotel Group The Tower Hotel runs a golf reservations service for Waterford golf courses and can book guaranteed tee times at the following clubs and rates: Faithlegg (Mon-Thur 35 Euros, Fri-Sun 48 Euros); Waterford Castle (35 and 50 Euros); Mount Juliet (Low season 90 and 105 Euros; High season 125 and 140 Euros); Waterford Golf Club (40 and 50 Euros); Tramore (40 and 55 Euros). The hotel can also book the 3 Club Golf Pass available to play Faithlegg, Waterford Castle and Mount Juliet for 165 Euros and also does hotel and golf packages. The South-East lays claim to being the sunniest part of Ireland. But we really tested the credibility of that claim by going there in November, not my favourite month to be golfing in these islands. Surprise, surprise, the South-East did deliver and we actually played without the need for waterproofs on all but one day. In fact, it was shirtsleeve weather at Waterford Castle - Ireland's only true island golf resort, which is reached by a ferry to the privately owned 310 acre site with the Waterford Castle Hotel and a wonderful course, designed by Ryder Cup player Des Smyth. Opened in 1992, the course runs through mature woodland and parkland and measures 6,814 yards off the medal tees with water on the second, third, fourth and 16th holes. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT The island originates back to the 11th Century and was once home to the Fitzgerald family and is still privately owned and comprises of a 19-bedroom luxury hotel and the golf course, surrounded by woodlands and the River Suir. The second is a stunning par three, followed by a stunning par four and there are some spectacular views across the Suir, but the pick of the holes has to be to par three 16th - no wonder it's called Des's Favourite. Like Waterford, Faithlegg is relatively new in golfing terms having opened in 1993 and like Waterford, the course, designed by Paddy Merrigan, boasts a superb setting on the banks of the River Suir. Merrigan has cleverly used the prevailing terrain, mature trees and parkland and there are five lakes with some excellent, tricky doglegs. With a championship yardage of 6,674 and 6,284 yards off the white markers, it's a really good test for the good and average golfer. The test at Faithlegg is in the wickedly contoured greens and they will test your patience, but take time to have a look at the scenery which is absolutely magnificent and take time to visit and eat in the magnificent 18th century Faithlegg House Hotel. If that's not to your taste, the clubhouse serves pretty good grub as well. The hotel is superb as you would expect from the Tower Hotel Group but the site also has 51 houses and apartments for groups who prefer that. What strikes you about Faithlegg, besides the quality of the golf course, is the professionalism and quality of service for all quarters headed by manager Darragh Tighe. Playing Mount Juliet just days after the American Express World Golf Championship was a real privilege and the par 72, 7,300 yard layout designed by Jack Nicklaus boasts rolling fairways, water hazards and contoured greens in a spectacular setting. The third is a stunning par three from an elevated tee to a green guarded by a stream and lake is one that golfers always remember and the par five 10th hole is also a cracker, while the closing holes, especially the 18th, a long par 4 with water all down the left and a narrow approach to the green is a worthy finish. You should also take time to visit the par 53, 18 hole putting course where each hole is of the same high standard as the main course. Mount Juliet House, which features 32 luxury bedrooms is a magnificent Georgian mansion in a picture postcard setting on the River Nore and close to the house is the Hunters Yard with 18 club bedrooms and 10 Rose Garden Suites. There are a vast number of other attractions at Mount Juliet - an equestrian centre, clay target and archery, salmon and trout fishing, bicycling and much more. Tramore was the first course I played in Ireland more than 25 years ago and I'm happy to say that it is as a I remember it - a very fine test of golf and one of the friendliest clubs I've ever been to. Very little has changed about Tramore since it was originally constructed in 1939 on its present site, although the club is 110 years old and in 1987 it was awarded the first of its three Irish Close Championships, won that year by their very own Eddie Power. At just under 6,700 yards off the tips, Tramore is a fair test for golfers of all abilities and from the very interesting and tricky long dogleg second and very tricky fourth to the stunning par three 10th, and what a good finish it is with the dogleg 16th and 17th and uphill 18th. Waterford's Tower Hotel proved to be an excellent base for our party with most of the courses within easy reach and the accommodation and food was superb while the Irish hospitality was, as usual, legendary with the Wine Vault restaurant highly recommended as is the entertainment at Rockets in Tramore. The green fees at Mount Juliet, Faithlegg and Waterford Castle may make you blanch, but there is a way to play them all for just 165 Euros (approximately £110) on Mondays to Thursdays until March 31 as they have teamed up to offer the 3 Club Golf Pass which can be booked at any of three clubs and while Tramore is not included, you'd be daft not to visit this course, which is only 30 Euros midweek in the low season.

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