Golf in Northern Eire is thought all over the world for its hyperlinks programs which are on the must-play lists of the nice and the nice.
But past the likes of Portstewart, Royal Portrush and Royal County Down and the remainder of seaside wonders, there lie numerous hidden parkland gems ready to be found.
Antrim’s Massereene Golf Membership is a type of – formally recognised as such when it scooped the Golfers Information to Eire’s Hidden Gem Award in 2018.
It has develop into just a bit much less unknown since then by taking part in co-host, alongside Galgorm Fortress, to the DP World Tour’s ISPS Handa World Invitational.
Established again in 1895, it’s certainly one of Northern Eire’s mature parkland programs, skirting the sides of Lough Neagh as a part of a spectacular ending stretch.
That will help you get to know what’s in retailer, we’ve put collectively the course’s 5 high holes:
Gap 8: Poplars – Par 3 – 197 yards
After a difficult begin, the course actually comes into its personal because it approaches the halfway level, not least with certainly one of its signature holes in the back of the clubhouse. Barely downhill, this lengthy par three gives little room for error, nicely protected by bunkers and is somewhat aesthetically pleasing, the inexperienced set in entrance of a steep financial institution that contains a flower association of the membership’s initials.
Gap 13 – Joe’s & Pat’s – Par 4 – 407 yards
As you progress again throughout the street to the clubhouse facet, put together for a surprising stretch with 4 of the final six holes making it into our information. That embody the sweeping par 4 thirteenth, with a rambling fairway that fits a curling draw off the tee. When you’ve negotiated that, accuracy is essential on the method with a protracted and intensely slender inexperienced. Get the yardage fallacious, and also you’ll not know whether or not to take a putter or a driver on your first effort on the inexperienced.
Gap 16 – Lough – Par 5 – 512 yards
A contact of threat and reward off the tee, with the drive set out on the sting of Lough Neagh. How shut will you are taking it to the water’s edge? The large hitters can bomb it down the suitable to nestle their drive as shut as potential to the stream throughout the green and try to stand up in two. For the mere mortals amongst us, it’s a cautious plot away from each our bodies of water to keep away from the hazard and attempt to arrange a birdie putt.
Gap 17 – Deep’s Leap – Par 4 – 426 yards
Arguably probably the most lovely gap on the course. Stand on the tee, peer at what lies earlier than you and it’s powerful to think about a gap that's extra quintessentially ‘golf’. Nothing fancy, not a bunker or a water-feature in sight, not even a flip within the fairway. Only a slender, straight gap, jungle-ready bushes lining the green and a dot of a inexperienced within the distance. Stunning… till you truly should try to hit the ball straight.
Gap 18 – Tom Kelly’s – Par 5 – 501 yards
On the finish of such an achieved closing stretch, the 18th doesn’t fail to ship. From a raised tee field, it’s a chance to let rip one final time, however not with out nicely positioned bunkers to play on the thoughts. Solely the larger hitters will even take into consideration going for this one in two, with everyone else pressured to put up by a bunker hanging in need of the inexperienced. End in entrance of the watchful eye of the restaurant and bar earlier than kicking again to benefit from the views over Lough Neagh and recount simply the place it was nicely fallacious… or (very often) proper.
Republic of Eire win the 2022 Author Cup
The celebrated Tourism NI Author Cup was taken again over the border this yr after the staff led by Irish Every day Mail Editor Eddie Coffey triumphed by a single level over two days.
That was regardless of an enormous win for the pairing of myself and, extra considerably, NI staff captain Paul Kelly on day one at Dunmurry GC. After an virtually impossible-to-beat meal at Deane’s, the guests had been considerably buoyed and managed to return out on high within the Singles on day two at Massereene.