Portmarnock Golf Club (Old)

Overview: Portmarnock Golf Club occupies a low-lying sandy peninsula jutting into the Irish Sea, just north of Dublin. The historic Championship course is revered by purists as a quintessential links, offering a fair but formidable test where the layout lies completely visible ahead. The design features undulating fairways, deep sod-walled pot bunkers, and green complexes that demand precise shot execution under the constant influence of sea breezes.

History: Founded in 1894, the links was originally laid out by William Pickeman and George Ross, with Mungo Park advising on the design. The course was expanded to 18 holes in 1896 and has since been refined by Fred and Martin Hawtree. Portmarnock has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments, including the Walker Cup, the Canada Cup, and multiple Irish Open championships.

Did You Know? The iconic 15th hole, a par-three running parallel to the shoreline, was once described by legendary champion Arnold Palmer as one of the finest par-threes in all of golf. Its exposed green requires players to hit a precise long or mid-iron directly into the prevailing wind.