Located on a stunning coastal peninsular 8 miles to the north of Dublin, this old fashioned Links' has housed many important championships in its time – testimony to the quality of the design and its stature in a land where many top courses prevail.

A caddy can be a most useful asset in any golf round, but in this case it is paramount. Standing on some of the elevated tees for the first time can be really daunting when you have no idea where the desired landing area should be and local knowledge is a distinct advantage.

Critics will say that the course is actually too flat and borders on unkempt rather than natural terrain. Certainly it is traditional and somewhat undefined, but with the course bordered on three sides by water, you can be guaranteed a fair amount of wind in one direction or another.

Even given today's modern equipment, the course is a severe test at over 7,300 yards from the back tees and the last five holes in particular are very tough. Our view, was that you need to be in good putting form to score well here because the greens were exceedingly quick and very true – giving many opportunities to make, or break your round, or maybe even your putter.