Portmarnock Golf Club.... It’s all about the golf
The onion that keeps giving....and taking as well :)
Another masterful video from the creative genius that is Adam Toth. Portmarnock Golf Club is world reknowned for quality golf !
‘(The chief virtues of the links) may briefly be summarised as being; first, that they should be difficult; secondly that they should be pleasing to the eye; thirdly that they should be strictly economical in design; and lastly, that to be truly admirable they will probably incur in the general opinion, the accusation of being unfair. H.N. Wethered, The Perfect Golfer, 1931.
The genesis of this colossus of Irish golf can be traced back to 1893 where two friends expectantly row across the sea towards a sandy estuarine peninsula. In reaching their quarry Messrs Pickeman and Ross were greeted by a scene reminiscent of the machair habitat that the two Scots were all too familiar with.... these elysian fields were and indeed still are perfect for golf.
Many things have changed since the sepia tinged days outlined above, however, Portmarnock has continued to endure as a shining light of almost unequal quality, securely ensconced amongst the very best courses that Ireland has to offer.
From my first visit, for the 2003 Irish Open Championship, to today there is always a frisson of excitement as you turn onto Golf Links Road and wend your way to the end of the gated cul-de-sac.
This expectation is amplified upon entering the premises and onwards past the green keepers gate lodge. Furtive glimpses of the course are afforded to you, initially through atmospheric stands of Corsican pines, of holes from the relief yellow nine and then an oblique view of the strongly routed 17th and 18th holes on the main layout reaching out towards the embrace of the distant clubhouse and Howth head beyond.
With a few notable exceptions the linksland bordering the eastern Irish Sea coast is characterised by its’ low lying nature and Portmarnock is the perfect exemplar of this. Although somewhat more ‘raised’ than its’ near neighbour Royal Dublin, Portmarnock represents the epitome of lowland links, east coast Irish style.
The relative absence of gargantuan Atlantic inspired sand hills could lull the visiting golfer into thinking that a lesser challenge awaits, however, it is no less exacting in its’ own unique way. This lack of comparative dune height often increases the influence of the sea breeze as the golfer is ushered and cajoled around this sporty nirvana, through subtle and sometimes abrupt changes of direction, where no consecutive hole heads on precisely the same compass bearing.
As with all truly great courses Portmarnock exposes itself gradually over time with repeated play. The secrets at PGC are slowly revealed to those that invest the time to decipher the almost endless playing strategies, preferred approach angles and best layup or bail out areas. The course emits a feeling redolent of the Melbourne Sandbelt and the sense of place that emanates from clubs such as Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath. In these pantheons we experience the confluence of place, history and tradition and bloody good golf to boot.... as if the connection and interplay of these specific elements transcend through time and somehow almost whisper to us between our shots in moments of quiet reflection.
The bunkering is predominantly of the revetted pot variety throughout, small in stature but with an uncanny ability to usher balls, siren like, to their sandy fates.
Real variety is evident in the naturalness of the greensites, the general theme is restrained and subtle, however, a few exceptions are evidenced in the crowned greens on the 2nd, 8th, 15th and a fall away back to front cambered beauty on 16.
The club boasts a rich history of hosting significant events such as the Canada Cup (precursor to the World Cup of Golf), numerous Irish Open Championships, Walker Cup (1991) and Amateur Championships (1949 & 2019). Notable winners @PGC include Palmer & Snead, Bobby Locke, Ben Crenshaw, Severiano Ballesteros, Jose-Maria Olazabal, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam and Michael Campbell. As with Royal Birkdale, the professionals consider PGC to be a ‘fair course’ , insofar as they do not generally get ‘unfair’ bounces that can prevail at somewhere like Royal St. Georges. Despite my use of the ‘F’ word, don’t let that stand in the way of your enjoyment.
No golfing trip to Dublin is complete without at least one spin around this beauty, you will complete your round wanting to go straight back to the first tee, which in anyone’s language is the greatest compliment that can be offered.
Play it early and often!
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Best
Shane
I was planning to write about Portmarnock. You've not left me a great deal to say! Marvellous!