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Portmarnock Golf Club

Georgina Campbell

On Christmas Eve of 1893 a Scottish Insurance broker named W.C. Pickeman and his friend George Ross rowed over from Sutton to the peninsula of Portmarnock to scout out the land as a possible golf links. They liked what they found. The peninsula of Portmarnock is about two miles long and covers some 500 acres. It was links land: low sand dunes, small green hollows and long valleys.

It was ideal golfing ground and had been first used for the game as early as 1858 by the Jamesons (of whiskey fame) who lived in St Marnock’s, a large house near the shore just north of the peninsula and now a hotel.

There are no tricks or nasty surprises, only an honest, albeit searching test of shotmaking skills. Invariably rated as Ireland’s best course in ballots by the Irish Golf Institute, Portmarnock takes justifiable pride in its 27 holes, which are maintained to the highest standards.

Within the curve of the coastline formed by Howth peninsula, it offers stunning views of Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island, rising sharply from deep waters. But above all, there is the charm of its delightful turf, the wildness, the solitude of the sandhills and the sea, and the ever-present challenge of the wind.

© Copyright Portmarnock Golf Club 2006

Distance and driving times (traffic dependent):

Headfort Golf Club                           80km (50m), 1hr 7 mins

The Island Golf Club                        16 km (10m), 22 mins

Roganstown Golf & Country Club       16km (10m), 20 mins

Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links           2km (1m), 5 mins

The Royal Dublin Golf Club               11km (7m), 21 mins

Castleknock Golf Club                      20km (12m), 20 mins

Counties Kildare & Wicklow (K Club, Carton House, Palmerstown House, Rathsallagh, Powerscourt, Druids Glen) c. 1hr.

Other distances, times and route planning

On Christmas Eve of 1893 a Scottish Insurance broker named W.C. Pickeman and his friend George Ross rowed over from Sutton to the peninsula of Portmarnock to scout out the land as a possible golf links. They liked what they found. The peninsula of Portmarnock is about two miles long and covers some 500 acres. It was links land: low sand dunes, small green hollows and long valleys.

It was ideal golfing ground and had been first used for the game as early as 1858 by the Jamesons (of whiskey fame) who lived in St Marnock’s, a large house near the shore just north of the peninsula and now a hotel.

There are no tricks or nasty surprises, only an honest, albeit searching test of shotmaking skills. Invariably rated as Ireland’s best course in ballots by the Irish Golf Institute, Portmarnock takes justifiable pride in its 27 holes, which are maintained to the highest standards.

Within the curve of the coastline formed by Howth peninsula, it offers stunning views of Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island, rising sharply from deep waters. But above all, there is the charm of its delightful turf, the wildness, the solitude of the sandhills and the sea, and the ever-present challenge of the wind.

© Copyright Portmarnock Golf Club 2006

Distance and driving times (traffic dependent):

Headfort Golf Club                           80km (50m), 1hr 7 mins
The Island Golf Club                        16 km (10m), 22 mins
Roganstown Golf & Country Club       16km (10m), 20 mins
Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links           2km (1m), 5 mins
The Royal Dublin Golf Club               11km (7m), 21 mins
Castleknock Golf Club                      20km (12m), 20 mins

Counties Kildare & Wicklow (K Club, Carton House, Palmerstown House, Rathsallagh, Powerscourt, Druids Glen) c. 1hr.

Other distances, times and route planning

Professional:	Joey Purcell
Number of Holes:	27
Type:	Links
Designer:	W.C. Pickerman
Championship Length:	7,365 yards
Greenfees:	Midweek Dusk & Dawn €150, Midweek & Weekend €180
Par:	72
Notes:	Please contact club in advance regarding dress code