Going for Golf

Portmarnock

It may be just 10 miles from the centre of Dublin but the fact the course is surrounded on three sides by water gives Portmarnock a sense of unbridled wilderness.

The course – which should not be confused with the adjacent Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links – was once accessible only by boat and presents a stiff challenge to anyone who takes on its curves and dog-legs. The wind here can really whip up, and that is something to factor in when you are talking about 7,382 yards. The par-three 15th is a particular delight.

It has a few celebrity fans to boot, and former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting said that playing the course was “fantastic”. In all likelihood you’ll agree once you’ve been around it once or twice – to know it, is to love it.
Indeed, the legendary golf writer Bernard Darwin said: “I know of no greater finish in the world than that of the last five holes at Portmarnock.” And many critics will argue the preceding 13 ain’t all bad either… It enjoys huge greens, hefty rough and treacherous hazards. But it plays fair.

The land belonged originally to the Jameson family – of whiskey fame – and was used as the dynasty’s own private course from around 1850. The course was extended to 18 holes in 1896 under the auspices of Scottish insurance broker William Pickeman and his friend George Ross.

One of the world’s truly great links courses, Portmarnock has been a regular venue for the Irish Open. In 2009 it was hailed as the best golf course in Ireland and is a big favourite of numerous professionals including the legendary Tom Watson, the late, great Seve Ballesteros and Ireland’s very own Padraig Harrington. Harrington described it as “…the fairest links I have ever played”.