Ardglass- DG IRELAND – 2021
DG IRELAND TOP150 – 2021
Editor, Kevin Markham
With two sides embraced by ocean, with Van Morrison’s Coney Island a backdrop to a stunning par three and with canons behind the 1st tee, Ardglass sets temperatures soaring right from the word go. The thrilling opening holes cling to the cliff tops with no quarter given. Shots into turret-like greens (the 1st) and the chasm crossing par three 2nd set the tone. It feels utterly wild to be up here.
Ardglass combines cliff-top, links and seaside holes to create a heady golfing mix and a round heavily influenced by wind.
The three links holes by the sea arrive almost with a crashing of cymbals, such is their impact. Two par threes and an inspiring par five squeezed between dune and ocean. And you finish as you started, with the 18th leading back to the centuries-old clubhouse, built on the ruins of a 13th century castle. The continuing upgrades by Ken Kearney have significantly enhanced to Ardglass’s charms.
Favourite Hole: The par four 1st. Seriously, you won’t play a more enthralling opening hole as you drive over a beach to a rising fairway that then presents the green in a nest of rocks above you. What a start.
What’s in the Bag? The shifting style of holes calls for different strategies… but wind is going to be a factor all day long. Play the wind well and you can score.