Macreddin makes it into Kevin Markham's 'Dream 18'

By Liam Kelly, Irish Independent.

Wednesday May 25, 2011.

Greystones member Kevin Markham has the credentials to judge the 18 best golf holes in Ireland. Markham is the guy who a few years ago set himself the challenge of playing every 18-hole golf course in Ireland -- and then wrote a book about it.

During that odyssey in a 20-year-old camper van, he travelled almost 11,000km, walked over 3,400km, lost countless golf balls and wore out three pairs of golf shoes.

The outcome of his venture was the book 'Hooked -- an amateur's guide to the golf courses of Ireland' (The Collins Press), which has now been released in its second, updated and revised edition.

Markham has rated every 18-hole layout he played, and given his own report on the courses and facilities.

A mighty undertaking indeed.

Markham's first edition was published when, as he says: "Ireland was, to put it mildly, exuberant, and as any Irish golfer will tell you, the country's green fees were similarly exuberant."

We all know that has changed, and green fees have dropped by over 50pc in some cases, but one piece of good news is that "the courses have changed very little and remain as thrilling and challenging as ever."

The book is a very useful and an informative reference guide, but what caught the eye was a section in which he listed his 'Top 18 holes'.

Markham knows this is a tall order, but said: "the goal was to create a list of the best 18 holes in the correct order and to a par of 72.

"Everybody has their favourites and holes one and 18 may stir people up most. Many believe the first hole at Portstewart is the best opening hole. It is stunning, I agree, but Scrabo's is even better. As for 18, Adare is mesmerising, but the sheer surprise of Carne gets the nod," he concludes.

This is his list (par of hole in brackets): Front 9 -- Hole 1 Scrabo (4); 2 Portsalon (4); 3 Killarney (Killeen, 3); 4 Old Head (4); 5 Royal Portrush (4); 6 Portstewart (Strand, 3); 7 Lahinch (Old, 4); 8 Druid's Glen (3); 9 Royal Co Down (4).

Back 9 -- Hole 10 Mount Juliet (5); 11 Ballybunion (Old,4); 12 Macreddin (4); 13 Naas (5); 14 Portarlington (4); 15 Westport (5); 16 Tralee (3); 17 The European Club (4); 18 Carne (5).

The 12th hole, index one. This 404m dog-leg right par 4 is well guarded by tall pines and Ballycreen Brook.

The Macreddin Team


26th May 2011