Monday, Aug 15, 2011 --- The Greatest Golf Course in the World

The next day was a 3 hour drive to Kinsale to play The Old Head Golf Course. When we arrived the weather was very dreary – steady, light rain with a pretty consistent 15-20 mph wind. After a nice bowl of seafood chowder (let me tell you, the Irish know how to do a very hearty seafood chowder) to warm us before play, we readied ourselves for a real test (as they say in Ireland). We got our caddies and proceeded to the course to play, fully garbed in rain suits, gloves and hats to ‘protect’ us from the weather. The first hole was somewhat normal albeit in immaculate condition. We quickly learned that the course was more American in style – less wooly rough, gorse and normal sand traps like we are used to. The greens were incredibly fast, much quicker than Old Oakland even in the rain, which presented a problem for many of us. Three putts were common over the course of the day.

We got to the second hole (first picture below) and began to see the unbelievable beauty and awe that is The Old Head. You really need to go to Google Maps, find Kinsale or The Old Head Golf Course and get the satellite view. It is built on a tiny, elevated peninsula (just big enough to hold the golf course) sticking out into the Irish Sea. Most of the remaining 17 holes had some spectacular view of the cliffs and rugged coastline. We caught a break with the weather in that the rain stopped after hole 4-5, but the winds persisted which made playing conditions difficult on a very difficult course.

 

When we got to the par 5 12^th hole, we were absolutely stunned with the view from the tee. In fact, it looked like one of those fake holes that are pictured in some pro shops or other golf venues.

VIEW FROM THE TEE BOX

The fairway is elevated, so the view is only of the cliffs and the cave that cuts through the peninsula connection. The green we are playing to is that tiny bright green dot tucked into the hillside just above and to the right of the large cave! It is hard to imagine when you are standing there that you have to get the ball to that green somehow. The drive has to go to a target up the hill (see the small stone marker to the right in the picture). After teeing off, I was walking with Chan along the trail that you see in the picture that goes right along the hillside gawking at the amazing scenery. I said to Chan, “This is the most beautiful hole I have ever … Wait! I did read before we came that Hole 12 at Old Head was Golf Digest’s most beautiful hole in the world!”

VIEW DOWN THE FAIRWAY TO THE GREEN

The ensuing shot is down a narrow fairway to a green that sits right on the cliffs with a view of the sea on both sides. The most amazing story that goes with this hole (besides the view) was that Pat Elward birdied the hole with a 10 foot rock solid putt. Well done, Pat!  The only ugly part of the birdie was Pat’s very poor imitation of an Irish jig after the putt went in. And so it was. To a man we agreed that it is the most picturesque, amazing, challenging and fun hole on the planet – worth the price of admission.

The wind was whipping up very strong on the back nine. When it was in your face it was a 3-4 club wind. Steve nailed a 9-iron from 76 yards out on the 11^th hole (which was facing directly out to sea and into the wind) and fell 25 feet short of the pin. It was in the air for about 30 seconds (or so it seemed). Others had similar experiences. The second group ended the round with a driving rain and wind on the last 2 holes (blowing sideways).

Now, some on the trip may argue with me and Tim about this being the most beautiful and amazing golf course in the world, but all would agree that it is way up the list of the greatest golf courses in the world.

We went to a great little restaurant in Kinsale called Man Friday for dinner. There was excellent food, wine, Irish whiskey and beer. We recounted the holes at Old Head and all of us ong for the day when we can play it again, perhaps with more clement weather. We boarded the bus for the 2 hour drive to Tralee where we would stay for the night.