The European Golf Club Co Wicklow Ireland

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The European Club Golf Course

Location:- Wicklow Ireland

Length:– 7,149 yards, Par – 71

Architect:– Pat Ruddy

The links of the European Club has developed into one of Ireland's finest links golf courses in a relatively short period of time. There is usually one reason and one reason only for this rapid progression to "must play" status and that reason is quality, a trait that is inherent at the European Club. The combination of rugged dunes, deep bunkers, sea breezes and large undulating greens, calls on the golfer to display strength of character, an ability to think and shot making skills.

The European Club was formed and designed by renowned Irish designer Pat Ruddy. It swiftly became recognised for the level of quality that awaits on the course and has received countless votes of confidence from the international golfing press. Ruddy's other designing achievements include amongst others the Glashedy course at Ballyliffin, Druids Glen, Rosapenna and Port Salon golf clubs.

The design of the European Club has attempted to modernize the traditional values of links golf and this has been achieved with magnificent results. Blind shots, deemed by many as an archaic feature of links golf, have largely been banished from the agenda at the European Club, with 14 holes offering a complete tee to green vista and the remaining holes providing a clearly visible landing area. Fast running fairways, greens that invite the pitch and run approach and acres of tall, waving grasses and golden flowered gorse are of course, the very essence of links golf and all remain in abundance at the European Club.

At first glance, the European Club presents an awesome challenge, with yawning bunkers and fairways seeming like mere ribbons through the sand hills. Truth is that the links has been designed primarily as a place for real golfers for those who both think and play well. Weaker players are advised to play within the scope of their talents and refrain from undue acts of aggression against a golf course, which takes few prisoners. In short, the handicap golfer must learn to use their handicap stroke to achieve a net par and try not to look at the hole as a potential net birdie. Discipline is rarely more rewarded than at the European Club.

The layout here offers an irregular pattern of pars, with three par 3's and like Royal Birkdale, Turnberry and the Old Course at St. Andrews, only two par 5's. The heart of your round at the European Club is the stretch from holes 7 through 13, which features six substantial par 4's and one bone crunching par 5 of almost 600 yards. Make no mistake that this is a links designed to be great. Growth and time will see the course develop from a great links to one of the world's finest. But as the saying goes "The man who made time, made plenty of it". We'll just wait and see.

Ruddy discovered the property when he surveyed Ireland's coastline by helicopter in search for a classic golf location. The result is a magnificent addition to the world's short supply of approximately 160 true links (51 of these are in Ireland) and the course is now run by Ruddy and his family. It has some decidedly quirky features - as might be expected of its highly imaginative designer - such as the 2 optional par three holes which make it a 20 hole layout.

Exciting links style golf awaits playing through tumbling dunes with dramatic views of the Irish Sea from no fewer than sixteen of the holes. Handicaps retain their value around this marvelous links, where severe punishment awaits the wayward shot. Summing up the overall challenge, Ruddy said: "The shot maker and thinker will thrive on coming to terms with a primeval piece of ground. The less adept should enjoy the odd flash of brilliance and the sheer beauty of nature in the raw. But the unthinking golfer may suffer."

Golf magazine, in collaboration with ten other international golf magazines, nominated The 500 Greatest Golf Holes In The World and included three holes from the links of The European Club.

The par-4 seventh, measuring 470-yards, was named as one of the Worlds 100 Best Holes.

The par-5 thirteenth and par-3 fourteenth were named amongst the Worlds 500 Best Holes.

To Book anything from a single Tee Time to a complete golfing holiday package call one of our golf holiday consultants on:- (+44) 020 8644 9229 Fax (+44) 020 8644 9779 or e-mail or written quotations to:- Golf Holidays Abroad Ltd, 234 Gander Green Lane, Sutton, Surrey. SM3 9QF.

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