The World’s Best 19th Holes

There’s no doubt about it. At this time of year the quality of the 19th hole can make or break a golf trip. Winter golf in the UK can be fun, if the rain stays mainly on someone else’s plain, but it’s coming in from the cold into that almost womb-like feeling of a glowing, sumptuous 19th hole that I always really look forward to. Also, if you’re travelling abroad for a winter break, it’s always nice to know you can grab a great meal and enjoy spending some time at the club after your round. I’ve had the chance to sample some extraordinary 19th holes over the years, and these are some of the ones I’d like to ‘replay’ again and again. Read more

Golfing Greats & Their Favourite Courses

From the tranquil surrounds of the grand old parkland layouts to the windswept challenge of a classic links, there is a golf course out there to suit all tastes. Although we all have our favourite golf course it is unlikely that many of us have had the chance to play the courses that the greats of the game have strut their stuff on which got us wondering about the favourite golf courses of Messrs Nicklaus, Watson, Woods & Co. Read more

Golf in Ireland – North to South; East to West

In the last 18 months the golfing spotlight has been firmly fixed upon Ireland thanks largely to a glut of Irish major winners. Paddy Harrington kicked everything off when he rattled off three majors in two years only to be followed by Graeme McDowell and more recently Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke. The success of the Irish has got people talking of the Open visiting the shores of the Emerald Isle so now is the time to discover golf in Ireland. The rugged Irish coastlines are the perfect setting for links golf and some of the very best links courses in the world are waiting for you just across the Irish Sea. Not only does Ireland boast an impressive array of links courses but the gorgeous countryside is also home to some of the most stunning parkland courses to be found anywhere in Europe. Here is our guide to golf in Ireland. Whether you head North, South, East or West you are sure to find the perfect place for your next golf tour. Read more

Dublin Golf Tours

All eyes will be on Ireland, more specifically Killeen Castle, from the 19^th to the 25^th of September 2011 as the Solheim Cup moves into County Meath, just outside Dublin. Killeen Castle will play host to the 12^th biennial, transatlantic match between the best ladies that Europe and the USA have to offer.

The Jack Nicklaus designed course has already had the perfect dress rehearsal when the AIB Ladies Irish Open was played here last August. That week saw a European victory and team Europe will be hoping for something similar.

Ireland is home to some of the very best courses in the world and is famous for some of its more established links courses like Ballybunion and Doonbeg. You may be surprised to find out how many top quality courses can be found in and around Dublin. Considering the fun that can be had in the capital of the Emerald Isle and the outstanding golf on offer, Ireland could just be the perfect place for your next golf break. Read more

Ballybunion chosen as host for 2009 Irish Seniors Open

Ireland’s Ballybunion Golf Club has been selected as this year’s venue for the Irish Senior’s Open to be played on the County Kerry links course between June 5-7.

Ballybunion is regularly featured among the top courses in the world in any such poll and is widely regarded as the premier links golf course. Measuring at 6,598 yards and playing to a par-71, Ballybunion’s layout features a hole named ‘Watson’ – the par-4, 453-yard 11th hole – so named after golf legend Tom Watson, thefive-time British Open champion and Ballybunion’s Millenium Captain.

Watson, who has an honorary life membership at the course will play in the tournament and expressed his delight at the opportunity to return to the course. The appointment was made in association with AIB and Failte Ireland, and is the 17th confirmed event on the 2009 Senior’s schedule. Both AIB and Failte Ireland have been associated with the twelve previous Irish Seniors Opens.

Ballybunion has long been part of European Tour golf, and has already hosted the 2000 Irish Open, which was won by Sweden’s Patrick Sjoland. The course will represent the second straight occasion on which the event has been played on a classic links course, following on from 2008’s venue, the Ballyliffin Golf Club, County Donegal which was won by Spain’s Juan Quiros.

The addition of Ballybunion onto the Senior Tour roster, along with the 2009 Irish Open at County Louth in Baltray gives the opportunity for Irish golf fans to watch two tournaments played on a pair of courses on opposite coasts of the Emerald Isle.

(Tom Watson photograph by Getty Images via Daylife)

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