The European Club
County Wicklow, Ireland
By Brendan James

Nearly a third of the world’s true links courses can be found in Ireland. The best of these, including Ballybunion, Portmarnock, Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, have evolved into world class layouts during the past century. The European Club, just 60km south of Dublin, is already ranked in the same class as these famed courses and has only been open for play since 1993.

Ruddy's Alley: the journey up from the beach on the par-4 8th is a tight one.

The course is owned and managed by the Ruddy family. Golf writer and course designer Pat Ruddy discovered the site of the layout when he flew up and down the Irish coastline in a helicopter searching for good golfing land. The magnificent dune landscape overlooking the Irish Sea on the County Wicklow coast grabbed his attention and the rest is history.

The European Club has ranked in Great Britain and Ireland’s top-25 courses for the past decade. From start to finish the holes have you weaving between, around, over and through the magnificent sand hills. The Irish Sea is always in view and a constant factor, complete with the inevitable wind that seems to blow here with an added gusto. Several holes play along the beach but it is the dune-lined holes, especially those found on the back nine, which will leave lasting memories. The par-5 13th and the par-3 14th have been ranked in the top-500 golf holes in the world. The European Club is a difficult course, even in tame weather conditions. However, each hole has several teeing positions and it is up to you how much torture you wish to endure.

Plunging into a dune-lined valley, the par-4 17th is an exhilerating hole.

It isn’t torture really. This is one course you would gladly play everyday for the rest of your life. Better players may be inspired to try the course from the championship markers and make a bid for the course record of 67, which was set by World No.1 Tiger Woods during a visit with fellow pros Mark O’Meara, David Duval and Scott McCarron in 1997.

The European Club Fact File
LENGTH: 6,537 metres.
PAR: 71.
DESIGNER: Pat Ruddy.
GREEN FEE: €150 (April 1 to October
31), €75 (November 1 to March 31).
Advance bookings essential.
LOCATION: From Dublin, follow the N11 south to Wicklow. About 30 minutes’ drive past Bray, turn left at Jack Whites Inn and follow the road to Brittas Bay and the course.
PHONE: 0011 353 404 47415.
WEB: www.theeuropeanclub.com

From the October 2005 issue of Golf Australia.
Order your copy at www.mymagazines.com.au