PORTMARNOCK GOLF LINKS, STRAND ROAD, PORTMARNOCK, CO. DUBLIN.

DESIGNER: Bernhard Langer

YARDAGE: 6,815 yards

PAR: 71

SSS: 72

Close by the original Portmarnock Golf Club, The Links Portmarnock, as it's known, is a classical seaside links course set on 180 acres, only 30 minutes north of Dublin's city centre. The ancient 12th century church of St. Marnock overlooks the property, while the two offshore islands of Lambay & Ireland's Eye stand stoically as the subjects for many a stunning view. There is little doubt that the course offers all that a golfer could wish for and possesses each characteristic required for the gratification of the links purist.

The Links Portmarnock was designed by Bernhard Langer and represents his first foray into links design. According to Langer: "There were very few locations in Europe that could have allowed me ... to design a classic championship links. I hope all those who play it discover its magic and challenging beauty".

According to Bill Robertson of Today's Golfer: "The Links Portmarnock is like looking at an old painting after it has been restored: the colours appear fresh and rich, with the bunkers sharp and well defined. You find yourself wondering if this is how the great historical links courses like St. Andrews would have looked just after the final piece of turf had been laid".