[The drive up the par four 1st]Farnham Estate is a spanking new course on the outskirts of Cavan town. It is a mere mile or two from County Cavan Golf Club, and on the same road out of the town. And because it’s part of the Radisson SAS Hotel, of the same name, you can be sure there are excellent direction posts to get to the club. After some of the more difficult locations of recent weeks, this was a blessing and it meant I didn’t miss my tee time.
The course is designed by Jeff Howes (easy to spot by the perfectly round tee boxes), and two larger loops of holes you will not find. It’s a huge figure of 8 across the estate, and the two 9s are completely different. The first 9 rolls over farmland countryside – it’s as if a carpet has been laid on the landscape. There are some big trees and ponds, but it still feels open. The second 9 heads up into the forest and holes are completely enclosed by trees.
This 9 is not yet open, and greens and tees are still sand, and fairways mud, but you can see what it will become. It was quite an education walking holes that are in their early evolution. Hopefully the photo alongside will get that across.[Photo: the tracks that will become the par four 13th. The sand in the distance will be the green]
Seamus, the starter, was extremely helpful and showed me the maps of the course, and where to go to begin my muddy adventure on the back 9. And because there are no facilities as yet, he kindly arranged a hotel room so I could shower after my round. And an impressive hotel it is too – even if it looks a little odd (blend of old and new) from the 18th fairway.
[Photo: the left to right dogleg par five 18th]
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