ENNISCRONE
Enniscrone features rugged dunes and the estuary of the River Moy as it flows to the Atlantic Ocean, all set against the backdrop of the Nephin and Ox Mountains. A spectacluar golf course in spectacular surroundings.
From the moment you arrive at Enniscrone there is an air of speciality about the place. Former Irish international, Noel Fogarty would approve of the opening hole - it begs to be played. The tee-shot is played parallel to the entrance road to somewhere in front of the clubhouse. The elevated green is protected on both sides by sand hills and the margin for error is not that large.
The next hole is a tricky dogleg par-5 that is followed by a lovely par-3 where correct club selection is crucial. Heading away from the sea the tough par-5 fourth requires accuracy before an approach to a smaller two-tiered green
The next three holes traverse the inner part of the course and require good accuracy to find the greens. The par-5 seventh features cross bunkers the entire width of the fairway to catch the misjudged second shot, and the approach crosses a valley that makes finding the green very challenging.
The par-3 eighth is a classic short links hole, requiring a tee-shot to carry three cross bunkers to find a gently sloping green. The course has now reached the River Moy and the narrow ninth follows its bank on the left hand side to another bunker protected green.
InishcroneThe 10th continues in a similar vein before you reach the super par-3 11th. A good tee-shot is required to an elevated green that will test the best putting skills. The 12th is a fearsome dogleg that requires a good drive to its corner - anything too left ends up in a large ravine - before an approach to the green over the same ravine. The next is a terrific short par-4 - the green cannot be seen but is reachable on a direct line over the mound. A safer strategy may be to play to the bottom of the hill - a long iron may suffice - and have a straightforward pitch into the green.
The 14th is a good par-5 that takes you back to the ocean for the final holes home. The fifteenth is a great par-4 with a long green of three levels that can only be seen from the right half of the fairway. The par-5 16th continues along the ocean with a precise approach required to an elevated green that is wide but very shallow. And then the marvellous 17th - perched in the very corner of the course and just 145 yards from the tee. This is a golf challenge - exposed to the wind, the green the only safe place to be - one good shot required!
The final hole takes us past the back of the clubhouse. A straight drive over the sand hills will leave a decent approach and a good chance to finish strongly.
Enniscrone is a magical links experience. From the opening approach it provides a links challenge of the highest quality, some supremely memorable golf holes and will reward those that play and cocentrate well. Of all the great links in Ireland, Enniscrone is likely to remain a solid contender for most memorable.
