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Waterville Golf Club
Waterville, Co. Kerry
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| One of the most scenic drives the visitor to Ireland can take is the Ring of Kerry, a spectacularly beautiful road that takes you through some of the most dramatic scenery to be found in the Emerald Isle. The road starts off in the bustling tourist town of Killarney and about halfway into the four-hour drive around the ring brings you to the seaside village of Waterville. Noted for its excellent fishing -- and in the 1920s and 30s as the favorite summer retreat of movie star Charlie Chaplin -- this is also the home of Waterville Golf Club, one of Ireland's outstanding links courses. At 7,225 yards and a par of 72, Waterville is definitely a big hitter's course but unusual for a links, it contains no blind holes, virtually flat fairways and apart from the sixteenth, almost no doglegs. Does this make Waterville a boring layout? Hardly. In fact, the great Sam Snead said of Waterville, "This beautiful monster is one of the golfing wonders of the world." Perhaps the most memorable hole is the 17th, a 196-yard par-3 and one of the most difficult short holes you will ever face. The tee is located a dizzying 250 feet above sea level; and once you have absorbed the stunning views, the task will be how to navigate your tee shot of almost 200 yards over uncharted dunes. To finish the 17th with the same ball may be one admirable objective, to come off the green with par, a reward unknown to most. A round of golf at Waterville is a full day excursion from Killarney and although the northerly route is the fastest way to get there, the most dramatic drive is the southerly road, traveling through Kenmare and Parknasilla. Plan on taking the morning to get to Waterville, soaking up the beauty of the drive, and you could arrive with inspiration enough to play some of your best golf ever. |
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© 2004 Authentic Ireland Travel |
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