Founded
in 1892, Baltray golf course is famous for its wide fairways
and its length. It is one of Ireland's best kept secrets and
is a mighty challenge like all truly great links. With its
6,783 yards, the course has a considerable length, especially
when you consider the natural hazards of a links: blowing
winds and heavy rough, and these two factors should not be
ignored, because they will be responsible for your score at
the end of the game.
Feature
holes would have to include the third, a par 5 over 544 yards,
with a blind third shot over a knoll onto a small green. Equally
difficult is the sixth, another par 5 played through a valley
of sand dunes to a green hidden behind two hills, or the 14,
noteworthy for its spectacular tee from a high plateau to
the fairway 190 yards away. Strategically places malicious
bunkers on the 18th hole allow no rest for the weary, but
thoroughly satisfied golfer, until the very last putt is sunk.
Baltray
hosts the East of Ireland Championship each year with all
of the leading amateurs in the country competing. It has also
hosted many National, Amateur and PGA events including the
British Open qualifying rounds.
In
July 2004 Baltray hosted the Irish Open for the first time.