Tour Report: 2024 Best of Ireland
Day 1 - Arrive/meet in Dublin
Meet and travel day- we met up at the Green Hotel, Dublin, and started our travels down towards Kinsale. As it was a decent drive we used the time to get to know each other with some interview questions from Rory. It was also Mike’s 64th birthday and David's was the day prior. After checking in at the Trident, we wandered into town for dinner and ate at Jimmy’s Edwards. Everyone got along well but as the group got chatting the noise of the restaurant went up and everyone was practically shouting at each other to make their voices heard, which disturbed other guests. It was a strange issue, but everyone was then mindful of not talking too loud!!
Day 2 - Old Head
Our first golf on the trip was at Old Head with it's jaw dropping views. We had an early start, but were treated with sunny skies and light winds and had a great day on the course. Everyone was wowed by the course and it's views. It was an impressive way to start the trip. Tony was the winner for the day with 33 points and NTP on the 13th was Bill!
After lunch on the patio, we hit Killarney for a 2 night stay and a delightful dinner at Hilliard’s.
Day 3 - Waterville
Since we had a late afternoon tee time at Waterville it was an opportunity for everyone to have a slower morning. As we arrived into Waterville we encountered a steady mist that continued for most of the afternoon and evening. It was not enough to get soaking wet, but not the most photogenic conditions for Ballinskelligs Bay. The course was very well received by the group, who thought that it was enjoyable and fair. We had a 1 to 2 club wind which demanded our attention! While Wayne had a great score of 37 points, it was beaten by Rory with his incredible 4 under par back 9. NTP went to Rory as well with his shot finishing an inch from the hole. And he was using a hire set!
Day 3 - Tralee
The group checked out of the grand hotel (great Southern) and headed for Tralee. Finally, Rory’s golf clubs turned up too!
It was a mostly sunny day, but by the back nine it had turned into a 3-4 club wind and with a passing shower it proved to be very challenging for all.
The was evident that Tralee was a real favourite amogst the group with its wild dunes, stunning views, and unique golf holes. Winner for the day was Jono with 30 points! And NTP on the 6th was Rob!
Dinner was at McMunns in Ballybunion had a set menu.
Day 4 - Ballybunion
A mostly fine day was had at Ballybunion with strong winds keeping it interesting. Wayne, Paul, Ian & Jono went out early on the old course, followed by an afternoon round on the Cashen.
The Old Course proved a challenge to the group with its narrow fairways, thick rough, raised greens and wind.
Rob was the winner for the day with 33 points followed closely by Ralph with 32 points.
Unfortunetly no one hit the green on No 7 for NTP. With the wind behind us it was difficult to hold the green..
Day 5 - Doonbeg
As we departed Ballybunion and headed north to Doonbeg via the ferry, we were greeted with sunny skies and a gentle breeze.
Jono clearly enjoyed the course with a sizzling 37 points (including a wipe on the last!) He also won NTP on the 11th. Tony won it on the picturesque 14th.
We then stayed 1 night in the luxury cottages of Trump Doonbeg. It was a welcome treat!
Day 6 - Travel & sightseeing to Ballina (via Lahinch)
We departed Ballybunion and headed north for Ballina. A stopover was made in Lahinch to enjoy the town and golf course. Some visited the pro shop and caught a glimpse of the South of Ireland Amateur (Handicap minimum to enter was +2.4!).
On a perfect sunny day with a light breeze, the town was buzzing and the cars came in droves! Walking the course, it looked in fabulous condition and certainly added to the desire to play the course..
After grabbing a quick lunch, we headed for Mount Falcon Estate. The bus driver VJ decided to follow google maps a little too closely and we ended up driving down some narrow local roads. But right before we came back to the main road, we encountered a narrow little bridge. After discussions with locals and looking at alternatives, it was decided the best course of action was to head back down the road in reverse for a few hundred metres, turn around at a farm driveway and head back towards better roads.
After we settled in at the estate, we headed into Ballina for dinner at Dillon’s and that was very well received.
Day 7 - Carne
As we sat for breakfast at Mount Falcon with a light mist outside, we were told that the weather for the day should be ok. But when we arrived at Carne this was not the case as we encountered strong winds and drizzle. In fact, the wind and rain did not let up until our final hole. However late in the round we caught a glimpse of the course’s natural beauty. But we walked off tired and sore, wet and defeated. Due to the unpleasant conditions, some did not continue after the front nine.
Wayne was the winner for the day at 29 points beating Rob on a count back. Rob secured the NTP on 5 with a great 5 iron!
Back at the hotel, we thawed out and dried our wet golf gear and then had dinner in the tent at the estate. While it was a nice setup, their menu did not live up to expectations and ended with the group getting a round of drinks provided by the hotel!
Day 8 - Enniscrone
Enniscrone produced much fairer weather with light winds and mostly cloudy skies. It was badly needed as there were some tired bodies from the round at Carne.. By the last few holes, the sun was shining and the waves were gently lapping on the beach to end an enjoyable round of golf.
The course was in good condition and offered a good variety of interest in rolling links land, weaving through large dunes. It finished with some pleasant beach side holes to put the cherry on top. The course was enjoyed by all and many said they would happily play here multiple times.
Tony was the man of the moment with an impressive 38 points and NTP on the 8th hole.
Back at the hotel it was a quiet dinner in the tent and an early night (a first for the group) to rest some weary bodies and catch up on other tasks (laundry?)
Day 9 - Narin & Portnoo
After checking out of Mount Falcon, we headed further north for about 3 hours to Narin & Portnoo. After an unusual turn by the bus's sat nav, we stopped for a coffee and treat at a gem called ‘Bakery Shack’. Some in the group regarded it as the best coffee they had experienced in Ireland!
At Narin and Portnoo we quickly teed off and found that some black tees were missing or put together way up the back with the championship tees!? Perhaps because there were angry locals disputing the golf course land ownership?.
On a partly cloudy day with light winds, the group really enjoyed the course which boasted some great short par 4’s and par 3’s. Everyone agreed they would happily play this course many times.
The best score for the day was Ian Aust at 34 points and NTP went to Rory who hit an AW to 1 foot from the hole.
Dinner and accommodation was at the Waterfront Hotel in Dungloe where a local fair was making the town very busy. Our driver VJ also joined us for dinner.
Day 10 - Cruit Island & Sandy Links
An early breakfast and checkout was required to fit a morning round at the picturesque Cruit Island. It is a quirky golf course on rolling rocky outcrops with fabulous views. And it is quite remote! The highlight is undoubtedly the par 3 6th hole over a rocky cove. Tony won the NTP. Michael Gundy won the 9 hole competition with 16 points.
We then headed further North to Rosapenna Resort to check in and play Sandy Links. Everyone enjoyed the course weaving its way through and over the large dunes. It was in great condition.
Jono won the comp with 35 points and NTP went to Dave on the 3rd.
Day 11 - St Patrick’s links and old Tom morris
Today we prepared for the worst, as the forecast for the day was wet and windy.
However while having breakfast our optimism rose as temperatures were warm and winds were not as strong as originally thought. While we still had some light passing showers and a bit of wind, the round was a positive one with everyone throughly enjoying the course and rating it as one of the top courses in the country. Dave was the winner with an impressive 36 points, while Wayne hit it nice and close on 15 to secure the NTP.
In the afternoon, 8 from the group continued on and played the old Tom Morris course.
The sun decided to come out during that round and everyone throughly enjoyed the course and setting, especially with the back nine running along the beach (with a few tricky holes)
Day 12 - Travel to Bushmills with the causeway coast
Today was a much needed rest day. We crossed the border to Northern Ireland and included some sightseeing. Everyone enjoyed the views and 'Bridge at Carrick-a-rede' with the exception of Rob and Bill. By the time we arrived at Giant's Causeway, it was chaos with many tourists vehicles about. When we made it down to the rock formations a nasty shower passed through resulting in many of us getting wet and/or abandoning ship and going straight for the shuttle bus (Bill?)
We still got some great photos!. Then we headed to check in at Bushmills. Seven of us went to the distillery for a tour and tasting before all joining us for a nice meal at Tartine.
Day 13 - Portstewart
With the forecast predicting constant winds and rain from 3:30pm the group prepared themselves for a difficult day.
However for the first few holes of the day we got away to a pleasant start: staying dry! But by the 4th or 5th hole the rain started to set in.
By the 9th hole the going was tough and two golfers had dropped out. The weather remained persistent on the back 9 with two more dropping out and everyone thoroughly wet.
It was a tough day but most battled on, with 7 players (out of 12) playing the full 18. It was unanimous that everyone could see it was a great course even in the challenging conditions.
Peter Fisk won NTP on the 13th with a solid iron to 15 feet. Wayne won the comp with 27 points (1 more than Peter), even though he walked off after the 16th hole.
The night ended with everyone getting themselves and their gear dry back in their rooms, gearing ourselves up for another potential wet day on the morrow.
Day 14 - Royal Portrush
We had a slow rainy morning with some of us still drying their clothes and preparing for another wet day. The forecast looked more optimistic with the rain easing off in the afternoon.
We decided to us our spare time to get to the club early, soak up the atmosphere, and have lunch before another battle!
As it worked out, the rain had now cleared and we were greeted with a partly cloudy afternoon with light winds. It ended up being a perfect afternoon/evening for golf.
The course was in fantastic condition and the clear favourite of the tour thus far. The rough was thick and heavy due to the wet summer and the course felt like it could host an open tomorrow. It was a real challenge!
But not so much for Rob, as he blitzed the course with a 3 over par 39 points! Tony won the NTP on the 13th.
Although it was a tough championship course, everyone was beaming after the round as they appreciated they had played a very special course in Royal Portrush .
Day 15 - Royal County Down
We dropped Wayne and Paul at Belfast international only to find out that they had booked their car at the wrong airport! it wasn’t a good start to their day. But in the end Avis helped them out and they were able to pick a car up from the same airport they were dropped off at.
We arrived early at Slieve Donard to see if we could check in. But being a public holiday in Great Britain, the rooms weren’t ready until late in the afternoon.
So the time was used to have lunch in the clubhouse and raid the pro shop for merch..
By the time we teed off at 3:30 to 4pm, some passing showers had come in, making it difficult to tee off. And blustery winds made the already tricky course even more difficult! But after the last shower on the front nine, the sun came through for the rest of the afternoon. With purple heather and sublime views of the Slieve Donard, the course presented beautifully. It is a truly magical place for golf!
It is a wonderful golf course and provided a great ending to the 'ultimate Ireland golf trip'.
As for the daily competition, David beat Tony on a count back with 32 points. And Rob secured the NTP on the small challenging 7th.
As for the overall standings for the tour: Wayne won the individual prize with Rob a close second. In the team format. The white team never stood a chance with an emphatic victory to the green team (Rory, Rob, Dave, Jono, Tony & Ralph).
We enjoyed our last dinner as a group in the hotel resturant. Some enjoyed some late night drinks as we prepared ourselves for departure the next morning.
Thank you all for a great trip and look forward to seeing you again on the course!
Regards Rory
