The Last Waltz

The golf portion of our Ireland journeys has ended with a wonderful morning at Portmarnock Golf Club.  The Club was founded in 1894 by two Scottish insurance men on land owned by the Jameson family of distilling fame.  The club sits on a narrow peninsula approximately two miles long that has water surrounding it on three sides.  Golf is known to have been played on this land since 1858, and John Jameson eagerly agreed to a 25-year lease of the southern end of the property for this purpose.  

Portmarnock is a storied name, having for years been the permanent home of the Irish Open, as well

as hosting a Walker Cup, Ryder Cup and countless other international competitions.  Winners here include all manner of players, from Harry Vardon, to Bobby LockeSeve, Ian Woosnam, Ben Crenshaw and Jose Maria Olazabal.  Sam Snead and Arnold palmer won a Canada Cup team event here in 1960, which is commemorated on the clubhouse walls (see photo at right).

To the best of my knowledge no architect is listed by the club, but despite the relatively flat ground it's a first class links in every regard.  Each hole is beautifully framed by natural features or bunkers, and the greens are interesting without being over-the-top.

An example of the well-defined landing ares, this the long Par-4 fourth.

I actually summoned some good golf on the outbound nine, including a tasty drawn five-iron into No. 9 that set up a birdie for 39.  Alas, I was previously booked on the bogey train for the inward nine, and foolishly took my assigned seat.

We had eschewed caddies for this trip, but with the both of us a sorry lot I called over yesterday and asked for an escort.  We were fortunate to draw Sean, a young man with a good knowledge of the game and these links, as well as a devilish sense of humor.  He was very helpful to Theresa and readily suggested dropping a second ball when warranted, and as we had a four-ball behind us there was no shortage of time.

Sean providing the line for Theresa on the blind tee shot on No. five.

After a slight tug of my tee shot on No. 7, I had "One of those," a soft pitch over the mound from rock-hard turf.  Did I mention the downhill lie?  No heroics, but a commercial effort for bogey.

Theresa shows off her improved bunker play on No. 12.

Another beautifully-framed drive, the Par-5 thirteenth.

A typical example of greenside bunkers.

Madam on her customary waslkabout.

Portmarnock is known for the quality and difficulty of its finishing holes, which did not disappoint.  Probably the best known of these is the difficult Par-3 fifteenth, better known as the world's shortest Par-5.  It plays at some 180-90 yards for the lads, and the difficulty of hitting and holding it is obvious:

The one-shot 15th, which would be a brute in strong crosswinds.

Your humble blogger's humble offering at the fifteenth, with Sean manning the camera.

Once again the bride outdid me, finding the green.

Remember when I said that Sean had a playful sense of humor?

Sean can't resist taking a whack with my driver on the 16th.

The home hole green sits right in front of the stately clubhouse.

Sean had been bouncing balls off of irons for a bit when Theresa asked if he could do the full monty... OK, it's a service industry and while there's a couple of bobbles involved, he acquits himself quite well:

A great ending to a great trip.  We'll see everyone on the other side.