18 Hole Links
Course Facts: Address
Ring Of Kerry
Waterville
Co. KerrySecretary/Manager: Noel Cronin Captain: Aidan McAuliffe Lady Captain: Maureen Creedon Telephone: 353-66-9474102 President: Finbar McAuliffe Public No: 353-66- Vice-Captain: Finbar McGillicuddy Fax: 353-66-9474482 Hon. Secretary: Mike Sullivan & Francis Everett E-mail: wvgolf@iol.ie Club Pro: Liam & Brian Higgins 066-94-74102 Website: www.watervillegolflinks.ie Hon. Treasurer: Jimmy Sugrue Founded: 1889 Designed by: Tom Fazio, John Mulcahy & Eddie Hackett Membership: 242 Course opening hours: Daylight hours Green Fees Midweek: €115/180 Clubhouse opening hours: 8.00am to 11.00am Green Fees Weekends & B.H.: €180 Mobile phones: Not on course or in clubhouse Green Fees With a Member: €95 Dress Code: Neat casual, no denim Green Fees For Opens: N/A Catering: Full catering facilities Practice Area: Yes Days to Avoid: None (phone well in advance) Club Hire: Yes Green Fees and Societies Welcome: Midweek & Weekends Buggy Hire: Yes €50 Pre-booking for open tournaments: N/A Soft spikes: Yes
Course Description:
Waterville is a unique combination of classic linksland in a pristine remote setting. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Inny River estuary, its beauty and challenge was recently enhanced by world renowned architect, Tom Fazio. When the renowned course architect, late Eddie Hackett was commissioned to design his first links course, Waterville challenge and there couldn’t be a more fitting monument memory.I remember saying to my son Shane on our first visit play in the International Father and Son, "Who their right mind would build a golf course out here?" It is not until you have played this magnificent links most westerly part of Ireland that question can be answered.
Every hole at Waterville is a feature hole, the 200 yd's 12th and 196 yd's 17th you will remember long after have left this beautiful part of country. Hackett on record constructing "Mass Hole" he tells us "Local contractors told me they weren’t going to touch ground there because Mass was once celebrated in hollow during penal days, we never touched it. Its plateau green natural no need for bunkers, which best tribute can pay hole". played from an elevated tee, not only daunting tee shot but, your full concentration as views are stunning. Liam Higgins resident professional has distinction having albatross 350 yard 16th.
Waterville was the venue of Kerry Gold Classis from 1975 to 1977 won by Tony Jacklin and since been a regular stop over for Tiger Woods, David Duval, Mark O’Meara late Payne Stewart. Indeed made honorary Captain in Millennium after his untimely death tragic plane crash 1999. Waterville has erected bronze statue him unveiling which attended family friends. Once you have played will find excuses return again again.Societies are welcome and group rates are available.
Voted the No. 6-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Golf Digest Ireland” in 2008. Waterville was voted No. 7 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2008, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland.
Open & Major fixtures 2008: Event
Start
Finish
Type
Duration
No fixtures until 2009.
Club History
Instituted 1902, affiliated 1925. The "Sportsman's Holiday Guide" 1897 reports "There is a private course here consisting of nine-holes, pleasantly situated on Innystrand. To the north are sand dunes, and on the other sides, bog or moorland. The green is considered a sporting one and the views from it are very fine, while the Atlantic breezes that blow across it are invigorating and refreshing. The hazards are such as usually to be met on seaside courses. Golf owes its origin in this part to the exertions of the Rev. J. G. Fahy, the Rectory, who first introduced it. During the summer season it forms no slight addition to the native charms of Waterville. Owing to the course being a private one, a small charge is made to visitors per round".
The "Irish Golfing Guide" 1916 names the President as D. Herber, the Captain as William Jones and the Hon. Secretary as A. Duffield.Waterville Golf Club currently gives a foundation date of 1925 there is not too much evidence to prove it was in existence prior to that date of affiliation. Sunday play was optional and the green-keeper was P. O’Reilly. Eddie Hackett was retained in the early 1970s to lay out the new eighteen-holes which is now accepted as being one of the finest links in the world.
Location
Half way on the ring of Kerry 50 miles from Killarney, driving time approx 1 hour 30 minutes. Shannon Airport, 135 miles approx. driving time 3-hours. Cork airport 110 miles, approx driving time 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Members Achievements
Lady Captain Ann Quinlan, Captain John Flemming and M. Egan, qualified for the National Finals of the Mercedes-Benz Irish Independent Executive Golf Classic at The K Club on August 12th 2002.Congratulations to David Higgins who finished second in the Order of Merit on the Challenge Tour to regain his card with total winnings of £46,926 in 2000. I for one would dearly like to see him fulfil his potential in the years to come. Good luck David.
Waterville Golf Club won the Munster Final of the Pierce Purcell Shield in 1996, when the team was Peter Huggard, Karl O'Dwyer, Michael O'Sullivan, Darragh Courtney, Michael Gill, Derry Gibons, John Quinlan, Mick O'Dwyer, Finbar McGillycuddy, Abe Huggard, John O'Connor, Jimmy Sugrue and John K. O'Shea.
They won the West Munster section of the Jimmy Bruen Shield in 2000, when the team was Alan O'Shea, Mick Gill, Finbar McGillycuddy, Richard Murphy, Seamus Murphy, J. B. O'Shea, John King-O'Shea, Darragh Courtney, John O'Neill, Jimmy Sugrue, Michael Courtney, Conor Maher, Padraig O'Neill, David Daly, Kevin O'Shea, Michael Donnelly, Niall Moran, Aidan McAuliffe and Paul Sheehan.
They won the Kerry Shield in 1982, when the team was, Michael Egan, Kevin O'Shea, Russell Orpen, Sean Kelly, Fr. Nicholas Walsh, Michael Courtney and Vincent Doyle. They won it again in 1991, with M. Donnelly, M. O'Sullivan, J. O'Connell, R. Laws, J. Morris, M. Cronin and M. Gill, they were captained by V. O'Sullivan. They won it again the following year with N. Cronin, M. O'Sullivan, J. O'Connell, M. Donnelly, T. O'Sullivan, E. O'Neill and J. Quinlan, they were captained again by V. O'Connor. They won it for the 4th time in 2001, with M. O'Sullivan, D. Courtney, M. Courtney, J. O'Neill, J. O'Connor and J. Curran, they were managed by W. O'Driscoll.
Young Mark Murphy had a wonderful year's golf in the Millennium, when he was runner-up in both West and East of Ireland Championship. Noel Fox of Portmarnock G.C. was the winner of the West Championships and followed it by winning the Irish Open Championship at The Royal Dublin. Noel is a frequent visitor to Waterville. Mark capped off his year by winning the Captain's Willie O'Driscoll's prize by two shots when he shot 39pts. Wonderful golf off his handicap, Mark is one of the nicest young men you will meet and he was the late Payne Stewart's caddy when he visited Waterville; they built up a wonderful relationship. I'm sure the bronze sculpture must bring back fond memories each time he passes it. Mark Murphy played Munster Youths in 1998, having played Munster Boys' in 1995.
David Higgins participated in the Home International matches from 1993 to 1994. He won the Joe Carr Perpetual Award in 1993, with 125 points and played in the Boys' in 1990. He represented Munster from 1991 to 1994, having played 21 matches. He played Munster Youths' from 1989 to 1993, playing 28 matches.
Michael Murphy, the green keeper at Waterville, won the "Toro" green keeper of the year in 1999.
Card of the Course (yards)
Name Hole No Back Middle Green Par Index Red Par Index Last Easy 1 430 395 375 4 11 303 4 11 Christy's Choice 2 464 432 396 4 1 372 5 17 Sanctuary 3 425 408 364 4 3 312 4 1 Dunes 4 185 160 154 3 17 136 3 13 Tipperary 5 595 551 509 5 13 447 5 9 Inny Valley 6 194 166 148 3 15 134 3 15 Teacher 7 424 404 382 4 7 330 4 5 Hare 8 436 402 392 4 9 312 4 7 Prodigal 9 445 405 375 4 5 320 4 3 Out 3,598 3,323 3,095 35 2,666 36 Red Breast 10 475 450 405 4 2 323 4 8 Tranquility 11 506 477 467 5 12 368 5 12 Mass Hole 12 200 164 144 3 14 104 3 16 Meadow Lark 13 488 480 410 5 18 371 5 14 Judge 14 456 416 390 4 4 328 4 4 Vale 15 428 396 370 4 6 316 4 6 Liam's Ace 16 386 352 342 4 10 320 4 2 Mulcahu's Peak 17 196 168 153 3 16 120 3 18 O'Grady's Beach 18 594 556 522 5 8 406 5 10 In 3,727 3,459 3,203 37 2,656 37 Total 7,325 6,782 6,298 72 5,322 73 SSS 74 72 70 72
Men's Course Record: Pro. 65 Liam Higgins
Ladies Course Record:
Roll of Honour M. Huggard 1989 Ladies Captain J. A. Mulcahy 1989 President P. Curran 1990 Ladies Captain S. O'Sullivan 1990 Men's Captain A. Quinlan 1991 Ladies Captain R. L. Laws 1991 Men's Captain N. Higgins 1992 Ladies Captain E. J. O'Neill 1992 Men's Captain A. Quirke 1993 Ladies Captain F. O'Leary 1993 Men's Captain E. Herbison 1994 Ladies Captain M. Donnelly 1994 Men's Captain A. Flaherty 1995 Ladies Captain S. O'Sullivan 1995 Ladies President T. P. O'Reilly 1995 Men's Captain J. A Mulcahy 1995 Men's President A. O'Driscoll 1996 Ladies Captain M. Clifford 1996 Ladies President M. O'Sullivan 1996 Men's Captain F. O'Leary 1996 President M. C. O'Dwyer 1997 Ladies Captain R. Gillespie 1997 Ladies President M. O'Dwyer 1997 Men's Captain E. English 1997 President M. Shanahan 1998 Ladies Captain K. Moran 1998 Ladies President J. C. Keating 1998 Men's Captain T. Murphy 1998 President Eileen Riordan 1999 Ladies Captain D. P. Mulcahy 1999 Men's Captain Peter Huggard 1999 President Dympna Considine 2000 Ladies Captain Ita English 2000 Ladies President William O'Driscoll 2000 Men's Captain Tom O'Sullivan 2000 President Francis Everett 2001 Ladies Captain V. Gill 2001 Ladies President Tom Flaherty 2001 Men's Captain J. O'Connor 2001 President Ann Quinlan 2002 Ladies Captain Helen Doyle 2002 Ladies President John Flemming 2002 Men's Captain M. Egan 2002 President P. Marchant 2003 Ladies Captain Maura O'Neill 2003 Ladies President John Flemming 2003 Men's Captain Ted McCarthy 2003 President Liz O'Neill 2004 Ladies Captain Margaret Cronin 2004 Ladies President James Curran 2004 Men's Captain Eamon O'Neill 2004 President Maureen O'Sullivan 2005 Ladies Captain Jenny O'Sullivan 2005 Ladies President Con McCarthy 2005 Men's Captain T. P. O'Reilly 2005 President Ann Aherne 2006 Ladies Captain Alan Landers 200 Men's Captain Esther MacAuliffe 2007 Ladies Captain Michael Gill 2007 Men's Captain John Quinlan 2007 President Maureen Creedon 2008 Ladies Captain Jack Fitzpatrick 2008 Men's Captain Finbar McAuliffe 2008 President
Holes-in-One Person Date Hole No. Club Used Distance Irma Clifford 10 April 2000 17th 100 yd's Donal Fenton 08 October 2000 12th 154 yd's Conor O'Mahony 18 November 2000 7th 148 yd's John Flemming 13 January 2002 17th 186 yd's Jack O'Connor 15 September 2002 12th 154 yd's