Considering the fact that the southwest coast of Ireland is already home to the links titans such as Waterville, Tralee, Ballybunion, Lahinch and Doonbeg, it’s hard to imagine that this magical stretch of coastline could get any better when it comes to seaside golf.
However, throw a truly spectacular patch of land on the Dingle Peninsula and the man behind the amazing Bandon Dunes in Oregon into the mix and golf lovers with a soft spot for this part of the Emerald Isle might just sit up and pay attention.
Perched on the dramatic Pacific coastline of Oregon, Bandon Dunes ranks highly among the most spectacular golf resorts in the United States.
Mike Keiser, the man behind Bandon Dunes – home to some truly spectacular seaside golf courses – has set his sights on a patch of land on the Inch Strand which juts out from the infinitely picturesque Dingle Peninsula.
A number of stunning championship courses and equally impressive accommodation options make a golf holiday at Bandon Dunes hard to beat.
Once cited as ‘the most beautiful place on earth’ by National Geographic, the Dingle Peninsula is the perfect place for a classic links course. Dominated by the range of mountains that form its spine, running from the Slieve Mish range to Mount Brandon, the peninsula’s coastline consists of steep cliffs which are broken up by sandy beaches and two large sand spits at Inch in the south and the Maharees to the north, and with a the Blasket Islands looming in the distance to the west, the setting is simply spectacular.
Mike Keiser’s new course could take its place among the famous links courses of South West Ireland, as well as hidden gems such as Dook Golf Club, pictured above.
While the thought of yet another top class links course taking its place on the famed southwest coast of Ireland is appealing, it’s still unclear just when this might happen. The land is currently owned by another American family but it is thought that once planning permission of sorts is granted for the course to be built, finalising a deal will be a piece of cake.
Lahinch Old Course boasts a number of spectacular holes and so would any new course being built by Keiser in the vacinity.
When that time does come (if ever), Keiser has named Arthur Spring as the man responsible for creating the course. Spring, a former European Senior’s Tour player, has about 12 courses already in his design portfolio and has had routings for this particular course jotted down for years.
If Tralee is anything to go by, and new course Mike Keiser might construct should be beautiful beyond compare.
Jim Urbina, co-designer of the Old Macdonald Course at Bandon Dunes, has been tasked with working with Spring and managing the course construction on-site.
If the proposed site of the new course, as well as Old Macdonald in Oregon are anything to go by, this proposed course could be special. Just as well really as it has a lot to live up to when you consider the courses already dotted along this amazing stretch of coastline.