Golfing Eighteen Blog

Photo:  Ireland’s Eye beside Howth (Dublin) by Timi az en vaok.

Top Irish destinations for a golfing holiday are quite easy to locate.  The Irish may take the game of golf as seriously as their Scottish neighbors and Ireland has some great golf courses that both pro and amateur golf enthusiasts are always anxious to try out.

When referring to Ireland we generally are speaking of the southern part of the island of Ireland, with has been an independent republic since 1922, and has been known in the past as the Irish Free State.  It is also called Eire, but the official name as a part of the European Union is simply Ireland.  It consists of the 26 counties that separated from the United Kingdome during the partition of Ireland.  The countries in the north in the area known as Ulster or Northern Ireland are still a part of the United Kingdom. 

Ireland is called the emerald isle and celebrated as a beautiful and quite friendly country with a rich culture and history.  St. Patrick, the monk who brought Christianity to Ireland and according to legend drove the snakes from the island is celebrated as the Irish patron saint.  The people of Ireland are descended from the Celts, a people who once occupied all of what is today the United Kingdom, and in this way the Irish are closely related to the people of Scotland and Wales.  During the Middle Ages Ireland was frequently invaded and colonized by Vikings from Scandinavia and with intermingling there is a strong Viking influence present in Irish culture to this day, with the red hair often thought of as an Irish characteristic actually being a characteristic of the Vikings.  Of course is well known for the color green, making a golfer often think of golf.

Ireland went through a long history of wars during their unification with England, Scotland and Wales, and cultural disintegration during the potato famine causing large amounts of immigration to other countries, among them Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, where Irish immigrants contributed to society and became famous.  During the early 20th century the twenty-six countries of the south achieved independence and while neighbors with the United Kingdom, Ireland is a separate and independent republic.

Golf in Ireland is considered by golf enthusiasts if not the greatest, then at least one of the greatest destinations in the world.  The seaside links in Ireland since the Victorian age have been hailed as outstanding courses, with the course at Lahinch considered one of the best.  During the time of Queen Victoria the golfing world considered Ireland a prime destination rivaling the resorts of other countries and often winning.  After the beginning of the 20th century golf in Ireland was less popular for a while, but after the Second World War golf travel to Ireland picked up quite a bit.  The popular links today include Portmarnock, Royal County Down and Ballybunion.  These golf courses are cared for by the members of the local golf clubs and are renowned for their hospitality and excellent play.  While at one time golf was a game for aristocrats, those who maintain the clubs today are the descendants of Irish tenant farmers, proving that golf is a sport for absolutely everyone, and that everyone enjoys a good game of golf.

In addition to the outstanding destinations mentioned above for Irish golf, there are fantastic golf courses in Ulster, or Northern Ireland, that part of Ireland that is politically a part of the United Kingdom.  Ulster consists of descendants of Irish natives, and both Scottish and English immigrants. Combining these three nationalities, all with a unique love of golf, has created an area where golf is one of the most popular sports of all. 

In Ulster one of the best courses is Royal Portrush, home of the Dunluce Links.  This is the site of the only British Open played in Ireland.  Portstewart, Ballycastle Castlerock, Ardglass, Royal County Down and the City of Deery Golf Course are all fine courses sure to please any golfer.

Whatever your level of play, whether you are an amateur or a pro, or aspiring pro, Ireland offers some of the finest golf experiences in the world and should be savored and enjoyed.

 

If you have an aspiration to be an architect one option would be to design golf courses. It is possible to make your dream come true.

One of the steps you will need to take in order to become a golf course architect is to acquire the right education. This would include going to a school that has architect and building design classes, as well as a school that offers large scale landscaping classes, such as that for designing recreational resorts. Golf courses are one of the many options that provide money-making opportunities for those who desire to be an outdoors architect.

After you have taken the necessary coursework to receive whatever degree or certificate necessary, then you may need to become certified. If so, you will want to contact the state that you live in and acquire the needed license in order for you to be able to perform your services. In addition, you may have the opportunity to learn hands on how to create actually facilities during a golfing internship.

Once you have acquired all the needed credentials for becoming a golf course architect, you may need to then start finding small jobs to do, to gain the experience that you need for larger jobs, such as designing an entire golf course. You may start by designing single-family homes or by drawing up landscape yard designs. You may also need to work as an apprentice under another architect for a while as well.

After you have gained years of valuable experience in the indoor and outdoor design world, you will then be ready to consider other options. One of these options is to become a landscape architect that designs golfing establishments. This could include involve designing the indoor buildings located on the course (such as the bathrooms or rec area) or it could be the actual map of the course.

Designing a golf course requires quite a bit more strategy than designing small buildings downtown, or a single family house. The holes that are played in golf are usually spanned out over a large area, and you have quite a bit to consider. For instance, you may have large trees, creeks, rivers, and even cliffs to contend with. The trick is to find a large enough area that is easy enough to play on, but yet gives each golfer a challenge.

Designing a course in the right place takes quite a bit of time and skill. It also takes the consideration of other factors, such as the local economy of an area, and the impact that a golf course would have on an environment. Usually designing a course is quite a process, and it usually involves obtaining city, county, and even possibly state permission beforehand.

During the process, you also may find that people who live in the area that are opposed to the idea. This could stall the process in some ways as well. If this happens, you may want to negotiate a plan of action that could possibly allow you to still have your golf course in the area. The other option is to design smaller establishments as well, such as miniature golf courses, which are usually quite a bit smaller.

Another aspect for helping you during your career development as a golf course architect can include a variety of other miscellaneous factors as well. For instance, you can keep your self posted on the latest architect news by reading articles in golf course architect publications.

In addition, you can find sample plans to work from that you can use to help generate ideas that will help you create your new golf course plan to sell for a profit or to use in the process of developing a new golf course. Furthermore, you may want to do some market research, which would help you find out what the demand is in certain areas of the world for a golf course. You may even want to consider the possibility of learning how to plan alternative golf courses on turfs other than grass-such as the one designed in Greenland every year (although this one is largely constructed by nature).

Becoming a golf course architect has its joys and challenges, and it is a very lucrative opportunity for those looking for design work. Those who are serious about understanding the art of making golf courses will have what it takes to make it. Persistence in this career pays off.