You only have to look at the visitor's book in County Louth Golf Club, better known as Baltray, near Drogheda in County Louth, Ireland to realize that many from abroad, particularly America, have discovered this understated but hidden gem of a true links course. This is not a recent trend either, for as far back as the seventies the course acquired a reputation that put it firmly in the top Irish links courses. Long before the course attained fame by holding two Irish Opens, true purists of the links game have raved about the merits of this wonderful track. The course now features in the Golf Digest Top 100 world courses and if you are playing golf in Ireland be sure it is on your itinerary. Less than an hour north of Dublin, it is worthy of an epic journey as many who play it undertake.
The course has a long history starting from a meeting in October of 1892 which created the initial course. The idea was good but the design was poor and thus in 1938 the current championship links was designed Tom Simpson, a renowned architect of the period. The course is laid out in two loops covering some 190 acres on the northern banks of the River Boyne estuary. A further subtle upgrade by Tom MacKenzie in 2003 added yardage and brought back into play obstacles that newer equipment and balls had eliminated. The course is now just over 7,000 yards long.
There are no weak holes on this course. Every one of them deserves praise but even with that compliment, one must highlight a few outstanding challenges that rise to exceptional levels of quality. For this writer the 12th, a par 4 index 3, 410 yard hole is the favourite. Named the Crater, the hole is slightly left to right dog-leg and has a narrow landing area protected by two bunkers on the left and savage hilly rough on the left. Land in the latter and say goodbye to your ball. The second shot is blind through a narrow V shaped gap into a bowl-shaped or crater-like area surrounded by treacherous rough very close to the green. Accuracy is critical on both drive and approach shot because the price of failure in that department is the wrecking of a card. Come away from there with a par though and you will feel on top of the world.
The 16th is a 419 yard par-4, index 7, left to right dogleg that again puts a premium on accuracy. Try to steal yards by keeping it too right will leave you with a treacherous blind second shot across trees. The green is tucked away in a narrow corner surrounded by hazards. The only way to go is centre of the fairway or left of centre from the tee. The second shot must then be as good as the first to find the green. Again if you walk away from here with a par you have done well. It leaves you with a relatively straightforward par-3 17th and a birdie opportunity to finish on lovely par five if you have the advantage of the prevailing wind.
Baltray is an old-world golf course from the club house which accommodates overnight visitors to the history and achievement of the many great golfers that emanated from here. Tradition is important in Baltray and the past is respected and revered. A friendly knowing welcome will always meet the stranger who has taken the trouble to find this place because they know you are here not for the stroll but for the challenge.
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