Ballyliffin scoops prestigious accolade
A stunning view of Ballyliffin with Glashedy Island visible in the distance. Picture courtesy Ballyliffin Golf Club
Irish golf lovers know Ballyliffin is a heavenly place. Now the world knows too after prestigious golf travel experts Golf Odyssey named the Donegal resort as the best international 36-hole complex outside the US.
Beloved of major winners such as Nick Faldo and Rory McIlroy, the pride of the Inishowen Peninsula has long been a place of pilgrimage thanks to the quality of the par-71 Old Links and the wonderful yet challenging Glashedy Links, which was lovingly designed by Tom Craddock and Pat Ruddy
That Ballyliffin featured at the top of Golf Odyssey's international list is a huge achievement considering the prestige of the other four prize winners - Barnbougle Dunes/Lost Farms and Royal Melbourne in Australia and Sunningdale in England.
The US winners were The Prairie Club in Nebraska, Streamsong in Florida, Torrey Pines in San Diego and We-Ko-Pa in Scottsdale, Arizona.
As for Golf Odyssey, it's a paid newsletter for golfers looking for objective reviews of golf courses and resorts all over the world.
Tips in its recent newsletters include:
- How to save more than 50% when playing Torrey Pines, site of the 2008 US Open.
- How to get on Bethpage Black, site of the 2009 US Open, without camping out in your car.
- The secret to saving up to $1,000 on a tee time at The Old Course in St. Andrews.
No doubt, future issues will include some tidbits on Ballyliffin, which is not just Ireland's most northerly golf resort but also once of the most scenic and welcoming.
