Rossmore Golf Club

We arrived at Rossmore in the middle of two things - the UEFA Cup Final on TV between Manchester United and Chelsea (it was 1-1) and a squad of ladies who were waiting for the football to finish so their prize giving night could start.

We asked a man at the bar if there was a a club official about and we were introduced to Jimmy, the Secretary. We spun him our yarn about parking overnight and he said that would be no problem. The Captain, Nigel Graham, then came to speak to us until duty called for the presentations. He sent us over a couple of pints later on - thanks Mr Captain! There were a couple of ladies who seemed to clean up on the prizes Della (I think that was her name) and another lady hardly had time to sit down before their names were called out again. Someone needs to check their handicaps! The football came back on and we hung around for the penalties - we’re not football followers but I think would have preferred if Chelsea had won for change.

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Clones Golf Club (222)

Clones is a much more modest golf club than the likes of St Anne’s or Howth. We arrived there much earlier than usual, but as we tentatively walked into the bar we were enthusiastically greeted by the 5 or 6 people sitting there enjoying a drink. They were a very welcoming bunch and told them our story and had generally had a good laugh. It wasn’t long before Clive had engaged one of the gents in Church of Ireland talk. I hear this all the time so I watched the Scottish Open on the TV while they swapped tales of rectors and bishops!

Since we were there early and the people were so friendly we decided the push the boat out and have a meal in the bar - and they provide a great feed for a reasonable price. We chatted some more and had a Guinness while the Scottish Open came to its conclusion and then called it an early night.

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Mannan Castle Golf Club

We found Mannan Castle on an overcast day but even with the threat of rain this was a very enjoyable course.

We drove straight here from home and were playing in a 9-hole repeater competition. A club official explained it to us but I’m still not sure what it was about. It’s always more enjoyable when we hook up with other people to play the course but we haven’t been doing so well lately and today was the same - on our own again.

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Castleblayney Golf Club

Date played: 21 April 2007

I played this course (for the second time) as part of the Ulster Fourball competition. The weather was fine.

The course only has 9 holes, although they are soon to have a splendid 18 hole course across Muckno Lake.

It’s not a long course, although many of the fairways are made for mountain goats – on quite marked slopes. There are 2 par 3s and the rest are par 4s. It is a well kept track with delightful views over Lough Muckno. The greens were a bit hairy and they had recently been hollow tined but I would rate it fair+ for a 9 hole course.

The fourth is a slightly dog-leg hole where you need two big shots to reach the green and it is probably the most difficult hole although the 2nd green – a par 3 – is tricky enough to reach and avoid the trees along the way.

All in all, a reasonable course – 6.5 out of 10 – but then there will soon be this new course with at least two of their holes over 600 yards. It’ll be a monster.

By the way, in the Ulster Fourball match we lost by 2 and 1 (I played with Phil). But we’ll get our revenge back at Bright Castle.

Link: Castleblayney Golf Club