Two Cracking Golf Freebies Up For Grabs... worth up to €3,000

When the occasional 'freebie' comes along it's time to dive in head first. There are plenty of them out there - hotel breaks and the like - but of the golfing variety you won't find that many. Certainly not as good as these two.

Views back to the Carne clubhouse and beyond

 In the last week or so, these excellent golfing freebies have made an appearance... ... and they are free team entries to two of Ireland's ever-popular Golfing Challenges. You have until 14 Feb to enter one of them but you need to get a move on for the other which ends this coming Friday (Jan 31).

1. The first is the Dunmore East Golfing Classic and the prize is worth €1,600 (for an Irish team of four) or over Stg £2,000 (for a GB-based team of four).
2. The second is for the Atlantic Coast Challenge and is worth €420 (for a team of three).

Read on to find out how to enter.

Ireland is home to some of the most exciting and best value Golf Challenges around. These amateur Stableford events, open to golfers of all abilities, are played in teams of three or four. You play over many of Ireland’s finest courses and prize funds range from €2,000 up to €10,000. Not entering would be plain daft.

The brilliant 3rd at Waterford Castle

1. Dunmore East Classic

Co. Waterford has been hosting the Dunmore East Classic in Ireland’s sunny south-east for 22 years. This year the tournament takes place between April 27 and May 1. Unlike links courses, which can give you such a wind-battering golf education, Tramore, Waterford and Waterford Castle golf courses are more gentle and colourful affairs, coasting between avenues of trees, over streams and alongside rivers. Dunmore East Golf Club, the fourth course for 2014, slides across a headland overlooking Dunmore East fishing village.

The tournament is centred, quite literally, in this village. Here, golfers enjoy legendary evening hospitality and entertainment, and it is this that gives the Challenge its distinctive personality. Over the years the organisers have learned how best to package the event, combining golf, food and accommodation… which may explain why it hosts so many golfers from the UK, US, Germany, Canada and South Africa.

The 11th green and views back to the tee at Waterford Golf Club.

More details: tonyboland@discoverdunmore.com, Tel: +353 87 9389574

The Prize: Free entry for a team of four (including travel to Ireland via Stenaline for a GB team), five nights’ accommodation, four evening meals and green fees for the four rounds…  worth €1,600 to the Irish winner, and £2,000 to the GB winner.

To enter, visit the Dunmore East Tourism website, answer the question and fill in your details before Friday 14th February.

Dunmore East 
Dunmore East slips back and forth across fairly open, wind-rattling ground before descending to the signature cliff top holes. Here you’ll encounter a spectacular backdrop with the village and sea below, and shots that require real bravery.

Tramore
Tramore is an easy-paced, rhythmic layout that roves through dense trees with lots of variety and shape to holes. Of all the courses it requires the most discipline as trees get a touch too close, but smart golf will reap great rewards.

The ferry every golfer must take to reach Waterford Castle Golf Club

Waterford
Waterford Golf Club dates back to 1912, and there’s a classic parkland air about it. It is a short par 71 and its easy tree-lined rhythm is a pleasure to play. The back nine takes you slowly up the slopes to the highest point that is the 18th tee and all the views that offers.

Waterford Castle
Waterford Castle Golf Club sits on an island, with a four star hotel, and you catch a private ferry to reach it. The course never strays far from the River Suir, and yet there are good changes in elevation to emphasise the pretty setting. The course is not difficult but with big greens you’ll need your putting boots on. 

Niall bump and running on Enniscrone's 2nd green, the ocean beyond.

2. Atlantic Coast Challenge 

7-9 July 2014 will be this tournament’s fourth year. The Atlantic Coast Challenge plays over three of the best and unsung links of Irish golf (Carne, County Sligo, and Enniscrone), stretching from the western tip of Co. Mayo into the heart of Co. Sligo and Yeats country.

These courses are big… big in thrills, big in drama and big in heart. There are no taller dunes than at Carne, few courses boast as many remarkable holes as Enniscrone and you’d be hard pressed to beat the variety of holes and the views of Drumcliff Bay and Benbulben at Rosses Point.

Bob tees off on Carne's new Kilmore nine. The par three 7th.

More details: +353 97 82292, info@carnegolflinks.com

The Prize: free entry/green fees for a team of three, worth €420.

To enter, visit Carne’s Facebook page and follow the simple instructions before end of Friday 31st January.

The 1st hole of Carne's new Kilmore nine. A par five.
Ignore the colour/condition - this was the first time the hole was being played

Carne

Now a 27 hole destination, Carne has stamped its credentials on world golf thanks to designers Eddie Hackett and Ally McIntosh, and the passion and commitment of the people of Belmullet. Giants must have romped across the mighty dunes of Belmullet, making the designers’ job that much easier. These dunes are truly enormous, overshadowing you for much of the round and creating holes that are jaw-dropping in their ambition and so natural in feel.

Enniscrone

This is another of Eddie Hackett’s gems, rolling along the shores of Killala Bay. The dunes here are mesmerising and they are home to an enthralling test of links golf. At times it is terrifying – you will need all your wits about you – but it is never less than inspiring, and starting at the 12th there’s a spectacular run for home.

The par four 12th at Enniscrone. One of the best and toughest holes anywhere

Rosses Point/County Sligo

Rosses Point dates back to 1894, and is host to the annual West of Ireland Championship. Little has changed over the years and Rosses Point has the most interesting variety of holes and changes of pace of any links on the island. It also has stunning views with the mighty Benbulben ever-present. The changes in style call for smart shot-making, especially on the back nine.