Gold Coast

Established in 1939, the 9-hole course at Gold Coast Golf Club was expanded to a full 18-hole layout by Maurice Fives in the mid-1990s so the modern day course is a mix of mature tree-lined fairways and more open, newer holes.

The course is set out close to Dungarvan Bay and Helvick Head, with the Irish Sea in sight from every hole. The first visit to the water’s edge at holes 6 to 8 is the most thrilling sequence on the front nine and the 175-metre 8th has been compared with the famous 16th at Cypress Point.

After the turn, the routing returns to the coast again at the 361-metre 15th, where a demanding tee shot carry over the bay will separate the men/ladies from the boys/girls. It’s the first shot of a very fine finishing stretch of par fours and fives that plays to stroke index 5, 9, 1 and 7.

Gold Coast, West Waterford and Dungarvan are member of the “Dungarvan Golf Triangle,” where golfers can tee it up at all three parkland courses for the price of two green fees. It’s an excellent local golfing collaboration that’s well worth supporting if you’re in the area and looking for a game.