The Carton House Resort is all about five star luxury. A grand hotel is the centrepiece and two golf course sweep away from the 18th century building.The O’Meara course has the parkland assets familiar to everyone, rolling through heavy woodland… although the trees stay well back to give the course an unexpected spaciousness. Off the tee the big manicured fairways are hugely inviting targets, making this long course a driver’s delight. There are five par fives. Bunkers threaten along fairways and this threat increases exponentially on approaches to the immaculately presented greens.
The O’Meara is often lauded for its stretch of three holes down by the River Rye. The two par threes and the par five 15th squeezed in between are exceptional holes, lost amongst the trees and all with water threatening – the 15th and 16th especially. It’s an enchanting stretch of holes and it is little wonder they are so memorable. The cottage beside the 16th tee was once the home of Marianne Faithful.
Favourite Hole: the par three 16th is a glorious 157 yard shot (white tees) over a broad stretch of the river to a green set in a dell of old trees. The bridge over the river (and above a weir) is a sweet finishing touch.
What’s in the Bag? A big day with the driver and lots of space to play into.
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“DG Ireland Top 150 Courses 2016”
