In May 2014, a friend gave me a get-well gift, a book titled, “A Course Called Ireland,” by Tom Coyne.
Ireland, day six: The Donald & Doonbeg (updated)
DOONBEG, CO. CLARE, Ireland — In December 2013 and early in 2014, when billionaire Donald Trump was negotiating the purchase of Doonbeg Golf Club, on the shore of Doughmore Bay, two massive storms off the Atlantic Ocean essentially reduced the golf course from 18 holes to 15.
Ireland, day five: Old Head Golf Links, simply spectacular
KINSALE, CO. CORK, Ireland — There are a few days in golf that transcend all others, that are magical, for whatever reason. Sometimes it can be how well you played, sure. But it can also be with whom you played, or where you played, or the time of day, or the way the light was, and the weather.
Ireland, day four: Waterville, a new favorite course (updated)
WATERVILLE, CO. KERRY, Ireland — In the mid-1980s, an American named Jay Connolly, along with several club members from Winged Foot Golf Club in New York, came to southwest Ireland, played Waterville Golf Links near the peaceful village on the Atlantic Ocean and fell in love with the place.
Ireland, day three: Tralee Golf Links, the work of Arnie and God
BARROW, CO. KERRY, Ireland — Sometime Friday, perhaps, a golfer lost a ball in the rough between the first and 18th fairways at Tralee Golf Links, on the Atlantic Ocean in southwest Ireland.
Ireland, day two: Ballybunion, part of golf’s holy ground
BALLYBUNION, CO. KERRY, Ireland — On the fourth hole at Ballybunion Golf Club (Old Course) on Thursday, I met a long-time club member, a very distinguished gentleman, Mr. Brendan O’Neill.
Ireland, day one: Lahinch Golf Club, historic and stunning
LAHINCH, CO. CLARE, Ireland —The fourth hole at Lahinch Golf Club is a par 5 (475 yards from the blue tees, 472 from the white tees, 463 from the green tees that I played) that was inspired by the Klondyke hole that Old Tom Morris designed here in 1894: