Golf Courses in Midlands Ireland
Athlone
One of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland, Athlone moved to the present site overlooking Hodson Bay in 1957. From the elevated clubhouse the views are magnificent and the course, wedged between the main lake and a secondary one, maximises the views. There are eighteen challenging holes at Athlone, all varied and all memorable.
Birr
Birr is a fine example of a mature parkland course, golf having been played on at The Glenns since 1909. Built by the local membership on free draining soil Birr has slowly improved, none more so that the renovations overseen by renowned architect Eddie Connaughton. Despite its relative shortness, Birr still offers a worth golf challenge.
Esker Hills
Esker Hills is one of the many O'Connor Jnr. designs in Ireland. Making full use of the naturally undulating terrain (an esker is a low hill formation) and small, natural lakes, the course provides a thoroughly enjoyable test of golf. Shane Lowry learned his golf here - feel and touch around the greens are all important.
Glasson
Glasson is one of the first 'modern' golf courses built in Ireland and remains one of the very best. This is another challenging O'Connor Jnr. layout on a scenic site overlooking Lough Ree, the second largest lake on the River Shannon. The course combines scenic lakeside holes with journeys through mature woodland and around a lake.
Mullingar
Home to one of Ireland's leading annual amateur championships, the classic parkland layout at Mullingar has challenged golfers of all abilities for many years. James Braid laid out the course in 1935 and is played largely unaltered today. Mullingar is noted for its fine specimen trees and its collection of short holes.
New Forest
Ireland is blessed with many natural sites for golf and Peter McEvoy is a designer who recognises this and marries his courses into the natural landscape. At New Forest the holes amongst mature woodland blend seamlessly with the more exposed holes on the course perimeter, offering a classic modern day parkland test.
Portumna
Through mature pine forest on the Castlerickard Estate, Portumna is a long and challenging golf course. Even from the visitor tee the course is 6,400+ yards long. Requiring little protection other than greenside bunkers, Portumna is well routed and varied and offers interest all the way around until the signature 17th and closing par-3.
The Heritage
The Heritage was built at huge expense and to a high specification by Seve Ballesteros and Jeff Howes. Two loops of nine holes are routed over a 300-acre gently undulating site with each loop meeting and playing down either side of a large lake. Water on half the holes, plenty of sand and plenty of length make up this terrific challenge.
Tullamore
Tullamore is one of the oldest courses in Ireland and a classic parkland test. James Braid laid out the course through the grounds of Charleville Estate in 1926. Fine mature trees are the first hallmark of Tullamore. Paddy Merrigan added a number of water features and planted new trees in 1995 providing a marriage of old and new.
