Glasson Golf Club, Ireland

Glasson is a terrific golf course situated beautifully on the eastern shores of Lough Ree near the town of Athlone. Designed by Christy O’Connor Junior, the course is set over rolling terrain where natural water hazards are prominent on many holes while judicous bunkering and tree plantations provide interest on the others. Superbly maintained and presented, Glasson provides large undulating greens that test even the best of putters.

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The first nine holes overlook the huge expanse of Lough Ree, but it is a lake of smaller proportions that requires the golfers attention, especially at the 6th and 8th holes. The first hole provides a good indicator of the challenge to come, a straight drive to find the fairway avoiding the trees on the right and the fall-off to the left. The fairway then funnels towards the green, well bunkered and with little room for the mis-placed approach.

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The 6th hole is a par-5 that requires a good tee-shot avoiding the out-of-bounds that encroaches on the left, while not straying too far right. The lake then comes into play on the right hand side all the way towards the large sloping green. Perhaps the most memorable approach on the first nine is to the 8th. A good tee-shot will find the top of the hill from where the green sits nestled below protected both left and back by the lake – a beautiful golf shot.

The second nine overlook an inlet of Lough Ree called Killenure Bay. The feature holes are undoubtedly the 14th and 15th – the 14th a long sweeping downhill par-5 with two additional lakes flanking the right hand side as you approach the green. The fifteenth is one of the best par-3s you will find anywhere. The tee is on an island reached by a narrow bridge, from where the green sits across the water all of 177 yards away. Take enough club as many well struck shots have fallen just short and richocheted off the rocks to the bottom of the lake that surrounds the green on three sides.

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Glasson finishes with three strong par-4s. The lake again must be avoided with the tee-shot on sixteen, the 17th is a 432 yard monster with one of the smaller greens on the course and the 18th requires a precise approach to an elevated green situated directly in front of the welcoming clubhouse.

Another Christy O’Connor Junior masterpiece, Glasson provides an enthralling days golf in wonderful surroundings.