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Golfing
PORTSALON GOLF
CLUB
Fanad
Co.Donegal
Ireland
Tel : +353 (0)74 59459 Fax : +353 (0)74 59459
Founded: 1891
Championship Length: 5,880 yards
PAR: 69
Type: Links
Portsalon Golf Club is set on one of the most northern reaching parts of Donegal
on the shores of Ballymastocker Bay, alongside a beach recently voted the
"second most beautiful beach in the world". Like Rosapenna and Narin & Portnoo,
Portsalon is not an internationally renowned golf course. What Portsalon is
however, is a seriously good golf links with roots in the 19th century, located
in some of the most beautiful terrain imaginable and offering stunning views.
This is what Irish golf is all about. Portsalon represents a throwback to what
the great courses such as Ballybunion and Lahinch were like before they became
recognised the world over and before demand for tee times grew beyond their
wildest dreams. Measuring just under 6,000 yards, its par 69 course simply
exudes character and charm, does not suffer from any pretensions of greatness
and offers all visitors a warm welcome and the opportunity (lest we forget) to
play a marvelous links.
Though Ireland has many great hidden golfing gems, Portsalon can legitimately
lay claim to being Ireland's best kept golfing secret. With heather clad
mountains plunging into the deep blue waters of the bay, Portsalon has few peers
with regard to scenic splendour. The opening hole is an uphill dogleg around a
cliff and is followed by a par three of some 196 yards over water to a green
that juts into the bay. The 3rd hole, unchanged since 1891 is a downhill par
four played across and along the beach to a green guarded by two ancient rock
formations. It is an exhilarating start and so it continues at Portsalon, with
fairways and greens threading through sand dunes untouched by the course of
time.
Redesign work has commenced at Portsalon and is being undertaken by Pat Ruddy,
of European Club fame. When completed in early 2003, Portsalon will offer a par
72 challenge measuring over 7,000 yards and will be on its way towards gaining
the international recognition that it so richly deserves
Walking /
Swimming
Portsalon
beach is a beautiful beach, approximately a mile long. It has been awarded the
prestigious blue flag award, and due to its location, is sheltered from the
worst of the Atlantic weather. This beach is an absolute gem, and even though it
was voted by The Observer as the second most beautiful beach in the world, it
never gets overcrowded
Angling
Close to Portsalon, you will find an
abundance of unspoilt fisheries, offering the best of fishing to game, coarse
and sea anglers. The scenery is breathtaking, and
you will find that there is no angling like this anywhere else in Europe. You
will also find that the angling is comparatively cheap, and the local anglers
will only be too glad to help you out with tips that will make your stay even
more enjoyable
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