The Island Golf Club near Dublin, Ireland: Pure links with monstrous dunes
COUNTY DUBLIN, Ireland –- The Island Golf Club, just 12 miles north of Dublin, is a pure links with monstrous dunes.
The 6,313-meter, par-71 course (roughly 6,900 yards) has been tweaked many times over the years -- and there are more changes in store -- yet it remains one of the best courses on the Emerald Isle.
The Island was established in 1890 on exposed land kissing the Irish Sea and the Malahide Estuary. Until 1973, the only way to access the club was by rowboat from Malahide Village.
The golf course is more than just a pretty face. The links can test the strongest of players. It will host a British Open qualifier from 2013-2017. Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke holds the course record with a 63 at the 1999 Smurfit Irish PGA Championship.
The Island boasts a unique front nine with eight-straight par 4s, ending with a par 3. But a scenic, inspiring back nine continues to charm golfers from around the world.
