Voyage Of Discovery – Tour Of Ireland

At Golf Monthly, we are lucky enough that within our readership we are able to call on the services of around two dozen dedicated golfers to assist with our biennial listings of the Top 100 and Next 100 courses in the UK & Ireland. One of the most experienced is Kevin Diss, a gifted golfer who took early retirement from his career in camera and closed-circuit technology three years ago.

A member at both Gog Magog and John O’Gaunt, the two-handicapper has since very much enjoyed developing his photographic skills, which have spawned a second career in sports and event photography.

His work can be seen at www.kevindiss.com, and last September he undertook an ambitious and energetic tour around Ireland. Wearing his GM assessor’s hat, he set off to play no fewer than 25 excellent courses in just 16 days!

Kevin got into Dublin port and took a clockwise route around the country (Golf Monthly Magazine)

Courses List – Mount Juliet, Old Head, Killarney, Waterville, Dooks, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Doonbeg, Connemara, Carne, County Sligo, Donegal, Enniscrone, Cruit Island, Rosapenna, Portsalon, Ardglass, Royal County Down, Portstewart, Castlerock, Royal Portrush, Portmarnock

Travelling with lifelong friend Philip Davis, a former golf professional, Kevin managed to play 13 Top 100 courses, six from the Next 100 and a further six that aren’t that far away.

Now, if you know what goes into fixing up an overnight trip with three golfing friends to play a couple of courses, all you need to do is multiply that by roughly 1,000 and you will begin to understand the planning and logistics involved to co-ordinate such a feat.

Just the mileage required – 2,224 now that you ask, with almost 57 hours in the car – would be enough to put most people off. The itinerary often included two clubs in one day where the tee needed to be free at just about the right time. There would also be a new hotel or B&B to check into on every night but two.

Kevin started the planning early in the year and most things went according to plan. Hurricane Lorenzo attempted to cause a hiccup, which meant swapping one of the 18-hole days for a two-rounder.

An example of its ferocity was that Kevin’s perfectly struck 2-iron from 156 yards came up short on the last at Royal County Down. Happily, however, a little tweaking meant that everything bar the round at Adare Manor was achieved.

The route followed the Wild Atlantic Way wherever possible, and its stunning scenery was one of the real highlights. Another was Kevin’s albatross two on the par-5 17th at Castlerock.

Accompanied by his trusty Nikon, Kevin recorded all of these images and they demonstrate what a sensational treasure chest of courses we have. Here, Kevin selects his eclectic 18 holes from his epic voyage…

Hole 1 Portstewart – 417 yards, par 4

The 1st at Portstewart (Kevin Diss)

One of the best first-tee views anywhere, with the Strand Beach and Game of Thrones territory on the horizon. A great drive towards the 8th green nestling in the huge dunes.

Hole 2 Portsalon – 396 yards, par 4

The best kind of hole design – just decide how much of the beach you can carry. It’s a rival for the opening tee shot at Machrihanish.

Hole 3 Waterville – 391 yards, par 4

After the subtle 2nd, this sets out everything in front of you. An unusual green calls for a brave approach, with anything left kicking further left and a drop over a wall into the sea to the right.

Hole 4 Old Head – 415 yards, par 4

A simple risk-reward design with the tee shot tempting you to take on a bunker and the rock face. Play it safe and you can be left with a terrifying second to the green that can send your ball down the cli s to the ocean.

Hole 5 Royal Portrush (Dunluce) – 379 yards, par 4

My favourite hole in Ireland, with options from the tee that will define the approach shot and the chances of finishing on the beach.

Hole 6 Cruit Island – 150 yards, par 3

The 6th hole at Cruit Island (Kevin Diss)

Cruit Island is unique and this hole is its most extreme. Where else could you play a hole like this?