Mixing Tradition and Development at the Ballybunion Golf Club

When it comes to the ideal golf vacation spots inrealized. Its national level of recognition started in
Ireland, the Southwest area is riddled with amazing1932 when the Irish Ladies Championship was held
golf courses filled with great links and stunning views.there. Five years after, Irish Mens Close Amateur
In these parts you will see Ireland's most soughtChampionship followed suit.
after golf course all eager to line up for some teeIts first most significant level of competition came at
time, the Ballybunion Golf Club, particularly its old1957 when the course was chosen as the venue for
course.the Irish Professional Championship. Soon after,
Many popular names in the world of golf havewaves of other competitions and golf organizations
experienced the wondrous allure of Ballybunion andrecognized its high quality links and have given it high
have continually used it as a warm up course toaccolades.
unwind and relax before The Open. Names like JackAfter more than 60 years, the Ballybunion Golf Club
Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Tiger Woods and Tom Watsonfinally got the recognition it so rightly deserves and
has registered in its log book and has provided greatthings were never quite the same. Golfers now come
reviews and comments to this wondrous andin droves from all over the world to experience what
mesmerizing Irish golf vacation spot.the lucky Irish people have had for more than a
Being the millennium captain of the Ballybunion Golfcentury now. The Ballybunion Golf Club would always
Club, Tom Watson said that it is one of the best andbe recognized as Ireland's greatest golf vacationing
most beautiful tests of links he has played in, havingspot.
played there since 1981.But aside from its majestic and amazing rolling dunes,
Here in the old golf course, you will find veryand the mesmerizing backdrop set by the Atlantic
challenging links where the winds are constant factorsOcean, the tradition and culture that has made
and the land is surrounded by the captivating view ofBallybunion Golf Club what it is today is what keeps
the Atlantic.the people coming in.
Opened in August 18, 1893, the Ballybunion Golf ClubPlus, it has world class amenities that can cater to
has had its shares of ups and downs. In its earlythe needs of so many golfers from all over the
days, the Ballybunion Golf Club did not enjoy theworld. There you would find a newly built clubhouse
popularity it does today and has fallen into financialthat has a dining room that can seat 120 persons,
oblivion. Its first 8 years reeled the course to its alltwo bars and some very relaxing lounge areas. There
time low and was soon revived only by the changingis also a Pro Golf Shop that carries every golfing
of the officers of the club.needs that you may have. Also, being a championship
As more developments and land links were laid out,golf course, you will be able to find some practice
the reputation of the Ballybunion Golf Club grew andfacilities such as; Putting Greens, A Sand Bunker
grew. By 1926, the course had plans to extend to aPractice facility, Driving Range, and a Chipping Green.
full 18 holes, barely a year after, those plans were