The words ‘Alister MacKenzie’ will prove sufficient to lure golfers from around the world, such is the esteem in which this revered British golf architect is held. Cork Golf Club is exceptionally proud of the work he carried out here on Little Island, in the 1920s, and rightly so. This has a beautiful old school charm to it that combines the beauty of holes clinging to the waters of Cork Harbour (4 to 6), parkland holes flowing through the trees and the famous limestone quarry holes.
Recent work has seen the bunkers returned to more traditional MacKenzie shapes and they are raised up, attractive and very threatening. It was a brave move by the club, but one that has proved a triumph.
This mature setting mixes the variety of holes to perfection. It keeps you on your toes and keeps the adrenaline flowing, especially with couple of sharp and unexpected elevation changes at the end of the round. Look out for Seve’s Tree, a Spanish Chestnut planted in 1983 to celebrate the legend’s 332 metre drive on the 11th hole.
Favourite Hole: the par five 5th skirts Cork Harbour and the water is in play on all three shots. The green sits on a narrow spit above the water.
What's in the Bag? The greens are beautiful and need your undivided attention.
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- Photography by Jamie Gibson.