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one ring to rule them all...
Matt Stott produces
the trailers that promote upcoming programmes and series on
Travel Channel. When he’s away from the edit suite, he
has an almost unhealthy interest in all things golf related
and a particular love of Irish golf courses. He plays off an
extremely average 18 handicap, but insists he talks a good game.
When left alone in a room, it’s not long before he starts
practicing his golf swing.
Ring of Kerry Golf Club’s slogan
‘Let us take care of you’ is a bit of an understatement.
From the moment we met the owners, Brendan Breslin and Ed Edwards,
we were made to feel easy and comfortable. It’s the kind
of hospitality you don’t always find at the better-known
courses and it was a breath of fresh air. Yes, they knew we
were coming, but we got the feeling that all their guests receive
the same welcome.
The golf course is situated just outside
the town of Kenmare on the southwest coast of Ireland. Kenmare
is what I’d imagine Killarney was like 20 years ago, before
it became overrun with holidaymakers. Kenmare’s a bit
of a Kerry secret. The town is immaculate in its appearance
but only ‘chocolate box’ in the externals. Much
as it’s geared towards tourism, that’s not its sole
function. The population of roughly 2000 is local. There are
22 pubs.
 The
golf course is five minutes from Kenmare. It’s a neat
mixture of links and parkland and overlooks the stunning estuary.
Designed by the late great Eddie Hackett, it was only completed
in 2002, and the construction is superb, ideally suited to the
climate. Playing in April 2004, there was little evidence of
the torrential rains that had fallen the previous week. There
is plenty of gorse and the grass is highly sympathetic to golf
but the charm of this Golf Club is understated. There’s
nothing gauche or showy in the design just a masterful way of
fitting into an awe-inspiring landscape. Even the sunflower
coloured brickwork matches the gorse, there’s nothing
out of place and all the bases are covered.
 Unusually
there are quite a few buggies, 32 of them, but it’s a
very hilly course so buggies are invaluable (especially if you’re
feeling the worse for wear after some great Kerry hospitality).
And although the overall feel is trad, 21st century gadgetry
makes its mark. It’s possible to track your position on
the course and receive yardage updates for your approach to
the pin. (Any fan of the TV series ‘24’ will appreciate
the Jack Bauer vibe.) This GPS technology coupled with a traditional
shot saver and scorecard means you can gauge your second or
third shot to the best of your ability. Oh, and for traditionalists
out there they have markers on the fairway as well.
The attention to detail is crucial. It’s
as if the course has a For Sale sign up outside and the owners
have taken care of all the niggly jobs that are usually left
undone. The paths and tees were in exceptional condition –
surprising after the recent flood. One of the biggest surprises
is that the Club is only 3 years old. From the maturity of the
vegetation to the established feel of the Club itself, you’d
think this place had been around for a while.
 The
first is a generous par four uphill with a slight dog leg to
the right. If you miss the fairway the punishment is severe.
The rough reminds me of Portmarnock or Tralee. When we were
there in April 2004 the greens were reassuringly well kept.
My personal favourite was the par four
sixth. You just start to realise how breathtaking the views
are on the previous hole. Then the sixth (‘Ladies View’)
emerges as the signature hole of the course; a deceptive dog-leg
downhill over water. If that doesn’t impress you, well,
you may need help. All golfers know what they’re after:
improving their game, competing with their mates, the banter,
putting the city behind you and belting a ball in a bewitching
setting. Ring of Kerry has the setting category well and truly
ticked.
 Some
courses have to spend outrageously to get it right but this
place doesn’t need sculpting, it has beauty to spare.
Whereas the front nine gives you all the pleasures of a links
with rolling hills, pot bunkers, gorse and the like, when you
head down towards the lakes with various tree species and water
hazards of the back nine, you begin to feel that you are actually
on a parkland course.
Ring of Kerry is unquestionably one of
the best value-for-money courses I have ever played, in Ireland
or anywhere else. Given the detail of its preparation, €80
feels like a steal. You’d be hard pushed to find comparable
value in Ireland or anywhere. The winter rates are even more
remarkable with weekday visitor rates of €45 and weekends
at just €50.
 And
finally… the Guinness. I’ve previously rated the
pint at Tralee as being one of the best. This comes bloody close.
It was explained to me that ‘it’s down to a short
pour and being very popular’. Which means that the piping
from barrel to tap is short so there’s less Guinness waiting
about. Whatever the reason, this pint is certainly a winner.
Play a round, have fun with the GPS and have a Guinness. You’ll
have some money left over as well, even if your mates have won
the odd euro off you.
FOR MORE INFO
To find out more about the Ring of Kerry
visit www.ringofkerrygolf.com
If you’ve played Ring of Kerry
or have any golf recommendations of your own, I’d love
to HEAR FROM YOU
November 2005 |