In 1906 the Ballybunion Golf Club was formed
with new founders and resulted in a new nine holes which by
1926 grew to 18 holes and stands before all now as one of the
best golf courses the world will ever have the opportunity to
play.
The legendary Tom Watson is a great advocate
of Ballybunion links stating “ there appear to be no man-made
influences and Ballybunion is a course on which many golf architects
should live and play before they build golf courses”.
There are few weakneses on this links, intimidating
shots on every hole yet it’s fair and honest. The course
will give you endless opportunites to hit different shots to
small targets. However it has no mercy and will demand your
attention. Tom Watson’s favourite hole is the 11th Par
4 446 yards, set on a clifftop with the Atlantic crashing below
and the fairway tumbling down through the dunes like a stairs.
Tom Watson was made Honorary Captain for the
millenium and his Captain's prize was the wedge he chipped in
with at Pebble Beach to beat Jack Nicklaus. He has become part
of Ballybunion as so many before and we hope that those who
follow will be taken by its charms too.
The Cashen Course
This Ballybunion course which opened in 1984 is a mighty challenge
and an excellent companion for the Old Course. It is the informed
opinion of Ted Higgins that this new course will in time gain
great stature.
Its designer was none other than Robert Trent
Jones and in his words “God given terrain” was what
he worked with. It turns out that the Cashen course may be an
even sterner test than the Old Course with 18 spectacular holes.
This creation has formed a world class 36 hole experience of
the finest links imaginable.
Originally
Ballybunion in 1893 was laid out with 12 holes with course designer
named as Jo McKenna, grandfather of the present Secretary Manager
Jim McKenna.