Lahinch Golf Club

Lahinch Golf Club is a links golf course in western Ireland, in the town of Lahinch on the northwest coast of County Clare in northern Munster. It is situated approximately thirty-two kilometres (20 mi) northwest of the town of Ennis. In 2016, Golf Digest ranked the Old Course at Lahinch #65 on their list of the world's greatest golf courses.[2]

Lahinch Golf Club
Club information
Lahinch Golf Club is located in Ireland
Lahinch Golf Club
Location in Ireland
Coordinates52.936°N 9.346°W / 52.936; -9.346
LocationLahinch, County Clare, Munster, Ireland
Established1892, 131 years ago
Typelinks
Total holes36
Events hostedIrish Open (2019)
Jacques Léglise Trophy (2003)
South of Ireland Championship (annual)
Websitelahinchgolf.com
Old Course (Championship)
Designed byOld Tom Morris, Alister MacKenzie, Martin Hawtree
Par72
Length6,950 yards (6,355 m)
Course record67[1]
Castle Course
Designed byJohn D. Harris
Par69
Length5,488 yards (5,018 m)
Golf at Lahinch, c. 1897
Sculpture of a feral goat at Lahinch GC

It was founded 131 years ago in 1892 by Alexander W. Shaw and Richard J. Plummer, officials of Limerick Golf Club. They laid out an 18-hole course, the original course had ten holes on each side of the road.[3] It has been described as the "St. Andrews" of Ireland.[4]

Lahinch Golf Club

The original links was laid out by Old Tom Morris; Alister MacKenzie, who co-designed Augusta National Golf Club, redesigned the Old Course and extended the links in 1927 for a fee of £2000. Lahinch is actually two 18-hole courses, the Old Course, is between the road and the sea, situated at the opposite side of the road from the Old Course is the Castle Course. The Castle Course is a flatter links named after the ruins of a nearby castle tower that stands to the north of the course.[5] One unusual feature of the Old Course is the presence of goats which are allowed to roam freely across the course. They were originally owned by a caddie who lived near the course, and in 1956 a goat was incorporated into the club's logo.[6]

Lahinch Golf Club is home to the South of Ireland Championship, an amateur golf tournament which began in 1895. Notable winners include Joe Carr in 1969, Darren Clarke in 1989, Paul McGinley in 1991 and Graeme McDowell in 2000. Ireland's Pádraig Harrington finished runner up on two occasions.

Lahinch Golf Club hosted the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, which was played on 4–7 July. The tournament was hosted by Paul McGinley and won by Jon Rahm.[7] The course will host the 2026 Walker Cup match.[8]

References
  1. "Lahinch record on the line at the South". www.irishexaminer.com. 23 July 2011.
  2. Whitten, Ron. "The World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses". Golf Digest. Condé Nast. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  3. "Lahinch Golf Club History". Lahinchgolf.com. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  4. "About Lahinch Golf Club". Lahinchgolf.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010.
  5. "Courses at Lahinch Golf Club". Lahinchgolf.com. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  6. "The Goats of Lahinch". Lahinch Golf Club. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  7. "'I love this tournament' - Spain's Jon Rahm wins his second Irish Open following a round of 62 at Lahinch". Irish Independent. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  8. "The 51st Walker Cup to be played at Lahinch in 2026". R&A. Retrieved 10 July 2023.


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