Craddockstown Golf Club
When we arrived here and asked at the bar if it was OK to park overnight, Philip D Mann gave us the thumbs up and entertained us with his unique sense of humour while we drank our Guinness. You need to be on your toes to at least keep up with him!
The clubhouse was very nice but as with the more modern, and bigger, clubhouses it’s hard to mix easily with the locals so we just watched the highlights of Ireland v Ecuador on TV. After our golf we met Cormy, the course ranger, who showed the old clubhouse, which is a listed house. The old bar downstairs there would have been and ideal spot to get the local banter.
There’s a lot of water at Craddockstown. Lakes, pond, ditches and streams are all over the course and need to be negotiated at about 12 of the holes. There are plenty of well positioned bunkers too, as I found out but landing in about 6 of them.
Craddockstown is another superb course. As with Mannan Castle the first few holes give you a good idea of what to expect. The first is a sweeping par 5 with water coming play for your second shot. I’d say it’d be possible to hit the green in two, but if you’re going to that you have the carry the water all the way to the green. The second is a par 3 over the water. The fourth is a long, curving par 4 with a ditch all along the left side waiting to catch your second shot. And so it goes on. There wasn’t a bad hole on the course. And with only four par 3s it gets another thumbs up from us for that.
The best hole for us was the 14th. A par 5 just over 500 yards with a stream that snakes its way acorss the fairway effectively splitting it into 3 parts. When you reach the green there’s a deep pond on the left and a couple of bunkers on the right. You definitely need to know your range at this hole.
The course condition was flawless. The tee boxes were flat, well trimmed and had multiple positions for the the different coloured tees. The greens were green and fast and the fairways neat and well shaped. And there were loads of greenkeepers on the course keeping things in order as well!
What with all the water around it’s no surprise to find a lot of water-based wildlife milling around. We watched a family of ducks steam past down the stream at the 4th. Ducks and a few swans were to be seen gliding across the ponds. Some rabbits and a couple of hares watched us from the safety of the trees and the rooks were hammering into the ground looks for worms all over the course. It all added to the experience. As did the weather, which was good to us today. After yesterday’s greyness we feared more of the same but today was a much sunnier affair.
There was no competition on today so we making use of our Open Fairways discount. Pretty good value for €45. Thanks Deirdre!
Thomas says:
Great course. Fantastic condition. Really enjoyed it.
Wasn’t playing too well at the start but I rallied on the back 9 with a run of 5 pars in a row. Came home in just +5 gross but I had such a poor front 9 it doesn’t really count. Still managed the beat Clive though!
It was great seeing all the ducks and other wildlife around the course. Thankfully I only visited the water once but I managed to become well acquainted with the sand. I have to say the sand was a bit wierd. I’ve never been in a bunker where the sand was so soft. My first ball plugged in the sand like I’ve never seen and I sank a few inches into the sand when I stepped in to take my shot. Then another bunker would be rock hard. Definitely threw me a little.
Possibly my favourite course of the year so far.
Clive says:
We started at 7.40 am on a beautiful morning – not a soul, except the hardworking greenkeepers, in sight. I made my first visit to the water with my second shot! Oops! However I redeemed myself with a par 3 at the next – a tricky enough hole with that darned water staring at you from all angles.
The 4th is really hard – round corners, over water etc but, having got to know Mrs Duck and her 7 offspring, both of us did quite well. I played well on the first nine but went off the rails for the first few of the inward 9. The 14th is possibly the nicest hole with a meandering stream always trying to attract your ball. Mine went in once I have to say. This was the hole I thought as good as I have ever played. By the time we came to the last four holes my golf needed a boost – and I got it with 2 pars and 2 bogeys. The 18th is a fine hole – nearly 560 yards off the back tee – this reminded me of the monster par 5s at Bright Castle.
What an altogether great course – beautifully kept, danger all around, plenty of water and a joy to play. And the ducks, hares, rabbits, swans and rooks always made an interesting talking point. I recommend Craddockstown thoroughy. Almost 9 out of ten – say 8.75.
