Club History - Castle Golf Club

With just a few years to go to our centenary (2013), Castle Golf Club is one of the oldest clubs in the greater Dublin area.

Nestled at the foot of the Dublin Mountains, the club was originally established in part of the estate of Rathfarnham Castle. A firm of builders, Bailey & Gibson acquired the Castle and lands in 1912 with a view to developing a housing scheme with the golf club at its centre. The Castle was sold to the Jesuit Order, and the Club was established on 7th February 1913. 

Although Bailey & Gibson never fully developed their housing plans, and sold the club to the members in 1918, the Club is now completely surrounded by houses! Cecil Barcroft, W.C. Pickeman and Tom Hood (Professional at Royal Dublin Golf Club) designed the original layout of the Golf Course. In 1918/1919, Harry S. Colt, one of the foremost golf course designers of the time, updated the original design. His brief was to reconstruct the course ‘on the best modern lines’. 

Apart from minor changes over the years, the layout of the course remained largely unchanged until the latest programme to upgrade and redesign all our greens to USGA standard, commenced in 2000. The Course was originally a Par 74 layout, with a length (after Colt’s work) of 6,300 yards. Over the years, some of our Par 5’s became Par 4’s and the 10th hole was reduced from a Par 4 to a Par 3 in the mid ‘60s, reducing the course to its current Par of 70. The length of the course is largely unchanged to this day.

The course was used by some of the most notable names in golf throughout its existence. Henry Cotton and Jack Smith played a match against Willy Holley (Club Professional 1921-1965) and Willy Nolan in 1928. The Club hosted the Irish Close Championship in 1938, an event won by one James Bruen. How appropriate, then, that the first senior GUI All Ireland pennant won by the Club (in 2003) was the ‘Jimmy Bruen’. In 1954 the North v South professional match was played in the Castle, a highlight being the drawn match between Fred Daly and Harry Bradshaw. Joe Carr played in an amateur tournament here in 1956.

In 1999 a major upgrade to the facilities at the Club, both on and off the course, was begun. Working with Jeff Howes, the Course Development committee oversaw reconstruction of all eighteen greens to USGA sand-based standard. The project included a major upgrade to the practice putting area and realignment of some fairways to fit in with the new greens. The clubhouse was extended and completely refurbished in 2001/2002, raising the standard of the facilities to match those on the golf course. We hope you enjoy your visit to Castle Golf Club.

www.castlegc.ie

Apres Golf - Glen of Downs

Raheen Restaurant

The Raheen Restaurant is named after the ancient fort on the golf course. Its setting is as appealing as its name suggests, with views overlooking the picturesque landscape. Open to both members and visitors, it is an attractive venue for a fulfilling meal with family or friends, offering an impressive wine list and a la carte menu. With seating for up to 120 people, it is also an ideal choice for hosting corporate events. 

Lakeside Lounge and Bar

The view alone is enough to entice you to the Lakeside Bar and Lounge. Complemented by comfortable seating and a vibrant atmosphere, it is an inviting place to unwind after a round of golf. The extensive bar menu is served all day and is open to both members and visitors. The menu features freshly prepared dishes to suit all palates along with tempting specials of the day. Not forgetting a fully stocked bar.

Spike Bar

Ensuring both our members and visitors are well looked after is our priority. Aside from our popular Lakeside Bar, Glen of the Downs also has a stylish modern bar where you can enjoy a drink with friends before or after your game of golf. The Spike Bar is compact with comfortable leather seating, a wide screen television and a fully stocked bar. Many regulars regard it as their favourite location to enjoy the perfect pint.

Lakeside Deck

For many visitors the nicest après golf scene is the lakeside deck. In fine weather you can dine alfresco or enjoy a coffee with breathtaking views of the lush green course. It also has the ideal vantage point from which to watch golfers at play on the 18th hole.

www.glenofthedowns.com

Golfers 10 Commandments

Thou shall know the RULES OF GOLF. And knowing them, shall enforce them, as honestly as possible, even on thine self.

Thou shall regard TIME SHEETS as sacrosanct. If unable to play, thou shall either ring the club or those on the time sheet with thee.

Thou shall always arrive in time for the Time Sheet. To keep thy partners waiting is a grave transgression, an disrupts the time sheet.

Thou shall not engage in SLOW PLAY. Too many practice swings and aping what thou sees on television gravely offends against this commandment.

Remember always to keep the GREENS in a heavenly state. Thou shall repair all pitch marks, even those made by thine neighbour and thou shall replace divots.

Thou shall never leave Caddy Cars in front of greens. Nor leave them on the wrong side of the green. Thou shall always leave by the shortest route to the nest tee box.

Thou shall never - NEVER - mark thine Cards on the green. Greens are for putting on, not for marking cards.

Thou shall always rake a bunker when your shot is complete. Indeed, when noticing a bunker which needs it, thou shall rake it, even if the footmarks had not been made by thyself.

Thou shall always observe GOOD MANNERS on the course. Obey all directions and keep thy voice down, so that it shall not distract the play of thy neighbours.

Thou shall take infinite care in marking and signing of thy card before placing it in the competition box, this ensuring thy winning score shall not be disqualifying.

About The Course - County Louth

1st Hole at Baltray

The late Frank Penninck wrote in an article in 1962 in the "Golfers Companion" referring to the Course as "natural unspoilt seaside territory with towering sand hills, murderous rough, and a rating of long holes that call for powerful hitting". 

In more recent times the "Golf World" magazine was moved to observe:

"County Louth is one of the best kept secrets of Irish golf. Sometimes also referred to as Baltray this has to be one of the most enjoyable Links in Ireland and undoubtedly represents superb value. There is not a weak hole on the course and some of the holes merit greatness".

The present course was designed in 1938 by the renowned Tom Simpson. The course is laid out in two loops covering some 190 acres with no two holes running in the same direction. The only exception being the 12th and 13th which run along the sea. It speaks highly for Simpson's design that he saw need to introduce only fifty bunkers in the course's defences the rest was taken care of by the natural terrain.

The 14th hole is regarded as the signature hole a short par four measuring only 332 yards you can drive all the way to the green and end up taking six or more, wondering what did you actually do that was wrong. The four par threes are superb. Averaging 160 yards it is seldom one will have a good score that does not include a par at each of these.

In 1985 the numerical order in which the holes were laid out was slightly altered to accommodate a new starting position. Other than that little has changed from 1938, until 2003 when the firm of Donald Steel and Company undertook a course upgrade under the guidance of Tom MacKenzie, himself an undoubted fan of Simpson's work. 

The changes although minimal have had a significant impact on the course and with the addition of some new Tees "Baltray" now measures over 7,000 yds thus bringing it in line with the modern game.

www.countylouthgolfclub.com

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