Ballyliffen, on the very, very north coast of County Donegal in Ireland, proved no four courses are alike (we’ve now play four different courses, each unique in one way or another). By Irish standards, the Old Links is not old having started as a 9 hole course in 1947. Additional land was purchased in 1970 and a new 9 holes was built, with the full 18 opening in 1973.
With fingers crossed that the rain would hold off we drove the 45 minutes from Londonderry. There is no apparent border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland other than the speed limit signs suddenly change to Km/hr. Very little narrow lane driving today but just enough to warrant full attention.
The course was blanketed by a layer of mist or an Irish marine layer. For the first few holes it was thick enough that without caddies we would have been lost. Our pictures don’t capture how misty it was.
Fortunately it cleared enough that the true character of the land was revealed. Our pictures also don’t truly display the rippling fairways as the locals call them. Imagine a ski hill covered with moguls of different shapes and sizes, laid flat and covered with turf. Dozens and dozens of such bumps and mounds dotted most fairways. A flat lie or stance was the exception. It also meant some shots on the ground deflected well off line.
The rough was ROUGH with spongy fescue and tall grass everywhere.
We agreed, over our now traditional post round cup of tea, the Old Links was a very enjoyable experience and a first rate course.
We’re back at Ballyliffen tomorrow to play the other course, Glashedy, which is in fact the championship designated 18.
The Bennetts On Tour 