Rathcore

Former County Meath Gaelic footballers, Austin and Mick Lyons, are the driving forces behind the Rathcore Golf and Country Club which opened for play in 2004. Mel Flanagan of Irish Golf Design was the person responsible for routing the course, with Ollie Sutton the man who laid out the putting surfaces.

Rathcore is located in rolling parkland with a number of natural springs that bring water into play at no fewer than twelve of the holes. Utterly unique features on this course are the three medieval forts – two ring and one motte – that are integrated into the design of the first three holes. They rather dominate the property and do, indeed, feature in all the branding of the club.

The 6,533 yards of the par 72 Rathcore course are laid out in two loops of nine, with each ending near the clubhouse. The 543-yard par five opening hole is a right dogleg past one of the ring forts to the right of the fairway. The second shot has to avoid a pond on the left then the approach must fly the two bunkers to the front of the green – a tough start, indeed!

The pick of the holes on the back nine is the difficult 406-yard par four 15th, where a natural lake borders the fairway on the right with the green tucked in behind it, forcing the right dogleg shape. Gorse, marsh and a couple of bunkers protect the putting surface so par here will be very well earned.