a — Golfing Gems on the Emerald Isle —

NENAGH GOLF CLUB
BEECHWOOD, NENAGH
COUNTY TIPPERARY, IRELAND
Tel: +353 67 31476, Fax: +353 67 34808
Email: nenaghgolfclub@eircom.net
Web site: http://www.nenaghgolfclub.com

        Nenagh Golf Club, home course for Home at First’s Central Ireland travel guests, offers one of Ireland’s newest and finest 18-hole championship parkland courses. Architect Patrick Merrigan designed Nenagh’s new course, which opened in 2001 and is an excellent example of what is possible for a public-accessible golf course in a small town natural setting. The new course has incorporated and improved upon the 1973 Eddie Hackett designed course at Nenagh. The Hackett design was done at the same time the prolific Irish golf architect was sculpting two masterpieces: the wonderful links courses at Enniscrone (in County Sligo) and Murvagh (in County Donegal). Hackett’s design itself was an expansion to 18 holes of the original 9-hole Nenagh layout, designed by the legendary Dr. Alister Mackenzie (Augusta National, Cypress Point, Lahinch Old Course) in 1929. Blending the old with the new, Nenagh’s 18 holes offers a great variety of golf challenges in its traditional course layout of ten Par 4’s, four Par 5’s and four Par 3’s. Weekday play is normally uncrowded and quick. Visitors are welcome and are made to feel so by the attentive, friendly staff. The clubhouse atmosphere is what you hope for when visiting Ireland. There are bar and eating facilities on site. Costs are low and quality is high, making Nenagh a rarity these days: a high value golfing experience. No, you cannot brag to your friends that you've played there, but you can smugly congratulate yourself on your wisdom.

LENGTH & PAR:
   Blue Tees:    6,572 yards, Par 72, SSS 72
  White Tees:  6,372 yards, Par 72, SSS 71
   Green Tees:  6,052 yards, Par 72, SSS 69
   Red Tees:     5,589 yards, Par 73, SSS 72

Open & Playable Year Round

VISITORS: welcome always.
    • Advance booking of tee-times strongly recommended.
    • Soft spikes are required.
    • Club & shoe rentals not available while pro shop is closed.

Greens Fees: €30 per round

Bookings: TEL: +353 (0) 67 31476; FAX: +353 67 34808
               E-mail: nenaghgolfclub@eircom.net
                  Web site: http://www.nenaghgolfclub.com

FACILITIES:
    • Club Professional & Pro Shop — currently closed
    • Restaurant & Bar
    • Pull trolley and golf cart rental
    • Practice driving range & putting green

LOCATION: Nenagh golf club is located at Beechwood, just 4 miles north of Nenagh on the old Birr road. Home At First Central Ireland guests drive into Nenagh, then take either the Old Birr Road or the Cloughjordan Road north from Nenagh. Entrance to the club is well sign-posted.

NEAREST HOME AT FIRST LODGINGS: in and near villages throughout the North Riding of County Tipperary, just a few minutes (maximum 20 minutes) drive from Nenagh Golf Club.

— CONTACT HOME AT FIRST FOR TRAVEL TO CENTRAL IRELAND —

HISTORY OF THE COURSE: Nenagh Golf Club began as a 9-hole local course improbably designed by the legendary course architect Dr. Alister Mackenzie, whose list of credits includes the great Augusta National, Cypress Point, and Lahinch Old golf courses. Although Mackenzie’s Nenagh 9 was well-respected, the club decided to change to an 18-hole Eddie Hackett (Enniscrone G.C., Murvagh G.C.) design in 1973. When the club obtained an additional parcel of land in the 1980’s and 90’s, it contracted architect Patrick Merrigan to expand and totally redevelop the course. The resulting new course opened in 2001 to rave reviews by club members and visitors alike.

THE COURSE: The sandy soil of the Beechwood hills north of Nenagh are an ideal site for the redesigned Nenagh Golf Club. Excellent drainage and mild inland climate ensure that parkland course is open year round. The rural setting in the center of the Irish Republic provides extensive views of the luxuriant Tipperary countryside from the Silvermines and Arra mountains west to Lough Derg. The course is built on a 150-acre site that has expanded twice since the original 9-hole Alister Mackenzie course was designed in 1929. The challenge of the rolling inland course includes several water hazards and numerous sand bunkers positioned strategically across its 18 holes.

SOME NOTEWORTHY HOLES:

Hole #3: Par 5, 500 yards from the blue tees, #15 handicap (Par 5, 458 yards from the red tees; #2 handicap): Tee shot across a pond. Second shot must avoid more water, a lake—a lateral hazard on the right. If you avoid the bunkers on the left you may be able to have a go with your second to reach the green for a chance for a birdie.

Hole #5: Par 4, 423 yards from the blue tees, #1 handicap (Par 4, 358 yards from the red tees; #4 handicap): Tight dogleg left hole requires an accurate tee shot to the narrow elbow in the fairway followed by a long second shot to a large, sloping green.

Hole #15: Par 3, 195 yards from the blue tees, #14 handicap (Par 3, 141 yards from the red tees; #17 handicap): Medium long downhill Par 3 to a green protected by bunkers in front and on both sides. Accurate iron shot required from the tee.

Hole #16: Par 4, 436 yards from the blue tees, #2 handicap (Par 4, 389 yards from the red tees; #1 handicap): Long Par-4 dogleg right made difficult by the fairway sloping downhill to the right away from A-position landing area.

THE REGION & SOME LOCAL ACTIVITIES: The area around Nenagh was first settled by Vikings, who invaded Ireland from the 9th to 11th centuries. Thirteenth century Norman conquerors came from England and built Nenagh. The impressive Nenagh Castle tower is a legacy of Anglo-Norman Theobald Fitzwalter, progenitor of the aristocratic and powerful Butler family who lorded over much of south-central Ireland for centuries. The town’s landmark church is one of the most impressive town churches in Ireland. Also worth visiting is Nenagh’s 19th century courthouse and jail, which now houses the town’s Heritage Resource Centre.
        Northern County Tipperary is a region of prosperous, verdant dairy land, two mountain groups, and clean, unchanneled streams and rivers teeming with fish. Its western border is the shoreline of Lough Derg, one of Ireland’s largest lakes. While the region is ideal for golfers, walkers, anglers, cyclists, and sailors, its principal appeal may be for touring and exploring by car. The Silvermines and the Arra mountains provide spectacular drives (& walks). Along the shores of Lough Derg are picturesque villages such as Dromineer, Puckane, Garrykennedy, Ballina-Killaloe, and Terryglass. Many of Ireland’s best known attractions are also within easy motoring distance: the dramatic Atlantic Cliffs of Moher, the unique geology of the Burren, historic Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Clonmacnoise monastic site, beautiful Birr Castle & Gardens, and the Brian Boru’s ancient Rock of Cashel. Come to Central Ireland for the great variety of scenery, excellent restaurants, inviting pubs, welcoming people, and for a quality game of golf at Nenagh Golf Club.

Want to learn about other courses throughout the British Isles
including some of the greatest tests of golf in the world?
See our SCOTLAND, IRELAND, ENGLAND, and WALES Course Guides for more information.

— CONTACT HOME AT FIRST FOR TRAVEL TO CENTRAL IRELAND —
We'll book your tee-times in advance!