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When it’s all over you’ll ask yourself if you’ve every played such a links in such a glorious setting. The answer must be that there isn’t one to match it. Tom Watson has described the neighbouring Old Course as perhaps the finest links in the world. The Cashen runs it a close second.
If you’re following this suggested schedule you’ll be ready for something a touch less demanding. The course of the Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club fits the bill nicely. It’s not a push-over, mind; it’s not even easy. But it’s less demanding physically, it’s another sight for the eyes and it’s as peaceful as a church at sunrise.
Located four miles from the town of Kenmare, which rejoices in the title of Ireland’s Gourmet Capital, the course runs along the edge of Kenmare Bay which has the Kerry Mountains as a backdrop. There may be lovelier sights in world golf but I haven’t discovered them after a lifetime in the game.
And the course does it justice. Designed by the late Eddie Hackett and opened in 1998, it has the bay in view from most holes and lakes and streams at every turn, or so it seems.
Be aware, is good advice; watch out for the yellow stakes: a couple of lakes are hidden, as are some streams. If in doubt, take an extra club or lay-up. It’s easy to run up big numbers here. That’s personal experience speaking.
It’s not a sneaky lay-out, though. Eddie Hackett was not that sort of architect: it’s just that the gently undulating site has hidden depressions that are a natural home for water. Eddie simply worked them into his design, as any good architect would. The high water table also results in lush fairways and so the course plays longer than the card reads, a fact exacerbated by some elevated tees and greens and rolling fairways. Nothing extreme, you understand, but sufficient to require an extra club and a bit of thought here and there.
It’s a par-72 in the classical configuration and while the key holes are two shotters some of the others can pose equally demanding problems. The 11th, for instance is a par five from an elevated tee with a stream in play twice. It’s index 9 and one of a run of white knuckle holes that starts on the 10th tee.
The card reads 6,820 yards from the tiger tees, 6, 353 from the middle and 5,963 from the front. Take a tip: unless you’re scratch or close to it settle for the middle. You’ll have a ball without too much angst and, after lunch in the lovely clubhouse, you’ll want to do it all again.
That’s the Ring of Kerry for you; it’s quite addictive. Enjoy!
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