Perhaps it’s the time of year, or the way the weather
patterns have favoured Ireland’s greenkeepers, but there’s a lot of talk about
how good greens are at the moment. Black Bush, Lucan and Wicklow were all
mentioned while we played at Macreddin, and recent visits to Dun Laoghaire and
Druid’s Heath have revealed similarly pristine surfaces… and Macreddin was no
different. Considering the pounding that they have taken recently from the
rain, they were perfect.
Macreddin is the third course to be reviewed for ‘Inside the
Ropes’ and Paul McGinley’s course rarely gets the recognition it deserves…
which is a shame because there are perfect golf holes here and some thrilling
challenges.
The three lads who were going to decide how perfect and how thrilling were Derick (9 handicap), David (13) and Graham (6).
Q. What had you heard
about the course before you arrived?
Derick: Very
little. Paul McGinley was involved with the design. I looked at their website
before arriving and the course looked tight and difficult.
Graham: High
standard – a very hilly, quality course.
David: Scenic,
very hilly, exciting… in NAMA.
It is a common misconception that Macreddin is in NAMA. It’s
not. It was in administration for a while which is why plenty of people think
it’s owned by the ‘pipple’ as Enda would say. It has been under new ownership
for over a year, and the club is adding things on all the time. The buggy paths
were added last year, and showers went in this year, with more work being done.
[Photo:
Having birdied the 1st, David takes the honour on the par five 2nd]
Q. What are your
overall impressions of Macreddin?
Derick: Long and
nice track. I think they have done a splendid job with the land. I would next
like to walk it, but it was a pleasure to play with buggies. The course held up
well for the amount of rain we have had lately. Overall a more than positive
experience.
Graham: Excellent
setting, very demanding. A real test.
David: Beautiful,
really enjoyed the round. Some cracking drives and second shots. Ballycreen
Brook makes some nice appearances.
It has reached a point that most people take a buggy (€20 each) because of a couple of hikes: from the 9th green to the 10th tee is a
long walk past the clubhouse and the hotel, and the walk from the 18th green is
almost as long. There’s also the small matter of the climb up the par five
15th, which would sap the energy of most golfers. The downside is that buggies
do detract from the round – you simply don’t get the same feeling for the
course when you have to stay on the buggy paths. It’s not as if Macreddin can
do anything about this, so you have to decide whether you went to expend the
final ounces of energy climbing 15. At least it’s all downhill from the 16th
tee.
[Photo: The short par four 6th begs for big drive]
Q. As this is a
relatively new course – what did you think of the design? What really stood out
for you?
Derick: Design is
really good. Holes on the back 9 look a lot more mature than their age. The
greens were excellent with lovely views.
Graham: Design is
stunning, although a little hilly, but course more than makes up for it. Each
hole feels exclusive. Greens are flawless.
David: Each hole
really holds its own and they’re nicely secluded. They built the course nicely
around the forest.
Q. Are there any
negatives – either on or off the course? If so, what are they and what would
you suggest to fix them?
Derick: Showers
and changing rooms could do with some attention.
Graham:
Clubhouse. On-course signage could be better.
David: Long hikes
between some holes – but no solution to that. No decent clubhouse. There were
very few people on the course, so no great buzz.
The clubhouse remains a series of green portakabin-type
structures. There’s the reception and small shop in one, and then the changing
facilities for men and women. It’s not fancy by any means – hopefully the money
will be there in the future for a modest clubhouse. It would certainly add to
the experience.
[Photo: Graham tees off on the par four 12th, the best 12th hole in Ireland (IMHO)]
Q. What did you find particularly tough
about the course?
Derick: Some of
the lies in the rough were very tough, and one or two greens were hard to read.
It can also feel very long in places.
Graham: Driving
needs to be accurate. The rough is very penal. Would not like to walk it every
week!
David: Drives.
You need to be long on a lot of tight par fours.
[Photo: Derick finds tough rough up in the trees on the 2nd
hole]
Q. What’s the best
Irish course you’ve played to date, and how did Macreddin compare?
Derick: Druid’s
Glen. Macreddin is not as mature, but it’s similar in a lot of ways – it has a
very similar finish, and possibly a bit more difficult in areas.
Graham: The
European Club. Macreddin is a totally different course, but it would fayre very
well with its high standard of greens, fairways etc., and stunning views.
David: Concra
Wood, with its forest and Lough Muckno. Changes in elevation are similar.
[Photo: the stunning approach to the par four 16th. You’re
at the top of the course and this is one of Macreddin’s toughest holes]
Q. How easy was it to
find?
Derick: Very easy
Graham: Very easy
David: Pretty
difficult despite google map and print-out of directions. Ended up using the
phone.
An interesting disparity!
Q. Would you come
back with friends?
Derick: Yes
Graham:
Definitely, and will do very soon.
David: Yes, some
friends would love it here but no more than once a year!
[Photo: the guys on the 11th green, with much of the back nine beyond]
Q. Your rating out of
10?
Derick: 8
Graham: 9
David: 8.5
Total: 25.5
Q. Value for money
out of 10?
Derick : 8
Graham: 10
David: 8 (In
fairness, they can’t go much lower)
Total: 26
[Photo: David tees off on the par three 17th. He fluffed it
and then put the next shot six inches from the hole. One of the more
interesting pars of the day.]
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