Titusflamininus

.........it’s early January and we’re having a short break in Donegal, it’s unseasonably mild and the Links at Dunfanaghy are resplendent as always, it would be remiss not to get out and feel the breeze of the Atlantic and hopefully rattle a few pars & birdies! Dunfanaghy is a relatively short Links at 5,300 mts but it holds a challenge as tight as any especially if the wind is blowing off the bay! 5 Par 3’s and just the one Par 5, the 16th, belie the difficultly of a true Links, the Par 3 7th is 209 mts and 17th 170, tough in a gale, the picturesque 9th is only 124 but you could use a 7 Iron one day and a Driver the next! Some serious Par 4’s prevail, the 3rd, 8th, 10th across the sea, 14th green tucked in near Clubhouse, and the 28th a lovely finishing Hole, and finally the Par 5 16th, bit of a monster at 500mts, a bogey here would do any day! The Clubhouse has a friendly ambiance and regular locals wee James & Roger enhance the experience with some great stories apres golf! All in all it’s a lovely course to play and you never know you might bump into Paul McGinley former Ryder Cup Captain, his Mum & Dad live in Dunfanaghy!

..........played Dunfanaghy with my partner on Sat evening and early Sunday. The course was fairly quiet although there were still plenty out on the Links. The Past Captains were having their Annual outing and dinner in the clubhouse later so plenty of Jackets in the Clubhouse! The course was in great shape with the greens impeccable. It's a tough links course especially when the north west wind blows. Not the longest at 5,700 but it has some great holes, the Par 3, 9th & 17th spring to mind. Another Par 3, the 7th is almost 200 yards and when the wind is blowing up on the elevated tee, it's something else! Standing on the 10th and looking out across the Atlantic it's the most beautiful picturesque place, Donegal at its best! Donegal is real Links territory, 16 out of 18 courses in the county are Links (16 out of 400 worldwide, amazing!) Dunfanaghy is well worth a visit and in Ryder Cup year, it's also the home of Paul McGinley's Dad, and where Paul honed his skills as a young player, another reason to visit this great wee Links course!