Cork Golf Club

Munster is blessed with a long list of top quality golf courses which cater superbly for the tens of thousands of players that attempt to master this wonderful/addictive game on a weekly basis.

The Irish Clubhouse Magazine makes a policy of not rating clubs in the province but tries to tell its readers the facts about courses available.

Having said that, if this magazine did rate clubs in Ireland, it would find it very difficult not to find a place for Cork Golf Club in the upper echelons of any ratings scale.

Located at Little Island close to Cork City, this championship golf course is routed through exceptional golfing terrain, incorporating an old limestone quarry and the inner reaches of Cork Harbour and Lough Mahon. The resulting effect of these features gives golfers a unique opportunity to experience a challenging and rewarding round of golf on one of the finest parkland courses in Ireland.

History

Cork Golf Club is steeped in history. Founded in 1888, it moved to its current location from its first home (Rathcooney Hill just above Glanmire Village) in 1897.  In 1924 the course was redesigned by the Augusta National designer, Alister MacKenzie.

Tom Dunne of Bournemouth laid out the first 9 holes and the course, complete with clubhouse, located close to the present 8th Tee, opened for play towards the end of 1898.

The first professional was David Brown and it was he who designed additional holes on land which are now known as “The Park”. His design for these holes was endorsed by the famous Harry Vardon who came to Cork to play an exhibition match in 1909.

Dr. MacKenzie was a well-established course designer by the time he and his foreman Jack Fleming came to Cork to redesign what is now regarded worldwide as a world class course. Work commenced early in 1924 and was completed in time for the first professional tournament in 1925.

Cork Golf Course has been played by some of the greats in world golf and has hosted several major amateur and professional championships over the years, including the Irish Open, Irish Professional Championships, Irish Close Championships and the National Finals. Notable players who have played the course include Harry Vardon, Henry Cotton and Seve Ballesteros.

The club continues to be at the fore of the Irish championship golfing calendar and has a vibrant membership and excellent clubhouse facilities. Cork Golf Club has a welcome for all golfers – individual visitors, societies, corporate groups and all those seeking a world class golfing excellence in Ireland.

125 Years in the making.

This year the club celebrates its 125th Anniversary.

The club’s Captains and Presidents officially launched the celebrations on April 17th.

2013 is also the 30th Anniversary of the memorable visit by the late, great Seve Ballesteros to Cork Golf Club and this visit is also being celebrated throughout the golfing year.

Why not join in the celebrations and while you’re there go and play one of Ireland’s most challenging and spectacular golf courses.

The Course

Cork Golf Club maximizes on its varied landscape offering a distinct course layout. The underlying limestone creates excellent natural drainage and a ‘links’ type environment on some holes, with alternate lush parkland on others. The river, with its ebb and flow, plays a major role on the 3rd, 4th and 5th holes. Spectacularly, the steep chasms within the old quarry present an unforgettable golfing experience that will thrill and surprise you.

Scenically situated in Cork Harbour the course presents a crisp heath-like playing surface similar to links. Cork Golf Club has many unusual features, not least holes 6 to10 which are set in a disused limestone quarry. The scenery and variety are an added bonus and they all combine to make Cork Golf Club a true golfing challenge.

Classic parkland, studded with strategically located bunkers greets visitors on the 1^st hole, however this changes dramatically by the 3^rd when the course meets the River Lee. The next two holes are among the most challenging anywhere in Ireland and take players along the river bank, with spectacular views of the inner harbour heading east. This section of the course is rich in gorse with a distinct ‘links-type’ feel.

At the 6th tee box, golfers will commence a fascinating journey through an old quarry which plays as a major feature of the next six holes, right up to the 11th green. This is where the course begins to wind its way back inland to re-join the rich parkland setting that greeted visitors on the first hole.

Accuracy off the tee is vital at Cork Golf Club with several ‘carries’ over a variety of obstacles. Whether it is a drive over a cliff face, gorse cover, or a deep chasm, it is sure to inspire all standards of golfers and bring them back another day to face the challenge which is testing, but exhilarating from start to finish.

The Clubhouse

The clubhouse at Cork Golf Club offers first-class amenities and excellent services for golfers and visitors alike. The reputation it has garnered over the years for delivering outstanding value-for-money for all its catering services and customer care is second-to-none. The clubhouse has free wi-fi internet for all its members and guests and it provides full bar and catering facilities to the highest standard.

Dining at Cork Golf Club

Look no further, its dining room is always available for snacks and meals throughout the day and friendly staff will be delighted to help you. The clubhouse also caters for every family event and provides a full range of menu options to suit all tastes and requirements.

Call now on +353 21 4353 451 to book your Green Fee or Corporate Outing at Cork Golf Club

Cork Golf Club can facilitate a range of options for your golf outing at the Club. In addition to special rates for golf and a three course meal, you can also enjoy any one of the following options:

Breakfast with your round of golf
Freshly baked scones, tea and coffee included in your green fee
A light snack of soup and sandwiches with golf
A delicious cold buffet after your round of golf
Golf with a main course only, with tea and coffee

Corporate Packages:
Corporate packages can be tailor-made to suit your all your requirements and the club prides itself on its customer service for all corporate events. Contact the General Manager for further information.

Special Offers for corporate and society outings:

• Round of golf and 3 course meal midweek from €75
• Round of golf and 3 course meal at weekend’s from €80