[Photo: approach to The Island's par five 15th]

I noticed on the back of today's Irish Times, that The Island Golf Club is offering membership at their fine links course, which, in my opinion, is the most fun links on Dublin's shores. Portmarnock and Royal Dublin get the hype and the awards, but there's a dash of adventure and considerably more impressive dunes at The Island.

Vacancies for Full, Five Day and Overseas Membership are as follows:

Full Membership:

Option A Entrance Fee of €20k payable upfront or over 10 years plus annual subscription including levies which is approx €1465.00 for 2010 with this option.

Option B Entrance Fee of €7.5k payable over five years plus annual subscription including levies which is approx €2060.00 for 2010 with this option.

Five Day Membership:

Entrance Fee €10k upfront or payable over 5 years plus annual subscription including levies which is approx €1055.00 for 2010.

(Taken from their website:http://www.theislandgolfclub.com/membership)

I have to confess, I was disappointed. In the current climate when most courses are no longer asking for entrance fees, €20K is a steep price. I wonder what it was before.

I was also confused by Option A vs Option B. Surely option B is the obvious choice, or are they implying that your annual sub will be €595 higher, ad infinitum, if you choose B over A? Either way, it's a pricey affair, whether it's the best links in Dublin or not.