ENNISCRONE LINKS NAMED AS 'IRISH GOLF COURSE OF THE YEAR'

My experiences of the links at Enniscrone go back many years. Back to a time when the course started with Eddie Hackett’s two par-5s. I only played that layout once before it was transformed into the beauty it is today. And that beauty has been rewarded on many occasions, including on Friday night.

Enniscrone received the Irish Golf Course of the Year for 2025, at the Golf Course Awards, held at the Emirates Stadium, London. 

The award represents another milestone for the club, which was founded in 1918 and has since expanded into 27-holes along the shores of Killala Bay.  

 

The Dunes Championship course is one of Ireland's top links, with rugged terrain and towering dunes next to the sea.

 

The Dunes officially opened in 2001, after six new additional holes designed by Martin Ebert and Donald Steel were added to the 18-hole layout created by Eddie Hackett in the 1970s. As good as Eddie’s layout was, the six additional holes elevated the course to new heights.

 Having received news of the award, Enniscrone's General Manager Keith O'Neill said: “We are incredibly proud to be named Ireland’s Golf Course of the Year.

 

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our entire team — from our staff to the many volunteers who have contributed so much over the years. Their commitment to excellence has helped shape the course into what it is today.”

Enniscrone, like so many Irish links, is making changes to improve the golf course and the golf experience. Those changes are being made by the highly regarded McKenzie and Ebert.

 

This is a thriller of a links and one of the biggest golf adventures on the island. It is exhilarating, it is untamed, it is brilliant. It should be played by everyone.