Golf, whiskey and sounds of the sea,

To experience in one place, how can that be?

Jamesons is special and put to the test,

Rank it up there with the very best.

,

Langer designed - Lynch tweaked just a bit,

Giving the links value and a wee more grit.

Stop and listen to all that surrounds,

Then put your head down and keep it in bounds!

It was 1740 when the town of Alloa, Scotland would see the first glimpse of John Jameson. Jameson would become an attorney before meeting and marrying the eldest daughter of John Haig, the founder of the Scottish Haig whisky distillery.  Margaret and John (Jameson) would have an astounding 16 children - 8 boys and 8 girls.  In the mid to late 1770s, the Jameson’s moved to Dublin, where John was appointed general manager to one of Dublin’s premier distilleries, learning the business in every sense.  Then in 1780, Jameson bought a share in a separate distillery on Bow Street, the location that Jameson Irish Whiskey remains to this day.   It would be one of his grandsons, John Jameson III, that would bring the joy of golf to St Marnock’s Portmarnock, County Dublin. And this is where our story begins.

*Fun fact - whisky vs. whiskey…which is correct?  For our purposes here, whisky is Scottish and whiskey is Irish.

Part of the original St Marnock's estate

Building a golf course is no simple task and in 1850, it certainly was a challenge.  But John Jameson III did just that, opening a 9-hole links close to the sea amidst the low dunes, perfect for his friends and family.  The original line up would extend from the house (today’s hotel location) to the current 15th hole at Portmarnock Golf Club just down the street.  This 9-hole stretch would be one of the earliest in Ireland but would soon left to pasture.  John Jameson III would lease the land from the southern peninsula of the estate to the members of Portmarnock Golf Club, after which he would become president (course review here). The long connection between the Jameson family and the present day Portmarnock Golf Hotel and Jameson Golf Links can be seen throughout the premises, including the family crest, much of which remains on the outside of the original entrance.  A ship in full sail, complete with the Jameson motto - “Sine Metu” - Latin for “Without Fear” is a testament to all golfers as they set off on the links, and it is emblazoned on every bottle of Jameson Whiskey, still to this day.

Willie Jameson, the great grandson of John Jameson, was born in the home at St Marnock’s in 1851.  Though little importance to our story, it was the point at which the family Jameson’s moved to St Marnock’s full time, renovating the estate fit for high Dublin society.  Willie would become one of Europe’s integral yachtsmen in the late 1880s which would bring King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra to Portmarnock, cementing history.  The Jameson family sold the estate in 1945.

It wouldn’t be until 1992 that the imagination and creativity of the Hall of Fame golfer, and multiple Irish Open winner (and Masters, OPEN, etc), Bernhard Langer, came to the land at St. Marnock’s to set eyes on what would become his first links golf course.  Capitalizing on the staggering beauty of the Irish coast, the backdrop of the old Jameson homestead, views of Ireland’s Eye, and the drama of low to high dunes, 18 wondrous holes were laid out.  Retaining and honoring the late John Jameson III’s golf vision, Langer weaved three of the original “home” holes into the championship layout.  The first play on Portmarnock Golf Links occurred in 1995 and a year later, the Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links opened its doors for overnight stays.

Number 1 - the graveyard to the right and the bunker that guards it!

A generous par 4 opens the round.  Taking the drive straight down the middle will help avoid the pot bunkers that spot both sides of the fairway.  If you are a long hitter, there is a burn that diagonally divides the fairway.  Make sure to check the yardage book as this really should not be in play.  Lay up if need be for a short approach into a receptive green.  As you take the first walk, look over to the right and the cemetery that keeps space.  Tip your hat, nod a bit, as three of the Jameson’s are there to see you off.

Number 2 - the tombstone style hole markers

The second hole is a shorter par 4, with really not much to talk about.  It is quiet, simple, and uncomplicated.  There is a slight dogleg to the left and a few menacing bunkers around the green, but nothing that proper course management cannot conquer.  As with so many links courses, the moguls that work throughout the fairways can either help or hinder the tee ball, so favoring the correct side of the landing area is imperative.  Selecting the correct club off the tee is as well.  Sometimes taking a shorter club is the right thing to do.

The 3rd hole - a beautiful par 3

With the hotel in the background and the peace surrounding, hole 3 is an elegant hole.  A green very well guarded with a variety of bunkers, a short poke to the middle of the green should be on course.  A decent distance from all tee markers, correct club selection is the key.  Though it is a shorter hole, getting off to a good start puts you in a happy place so work for your own personal par.

Continuing your journey, arrive at the par 5, 4th hole.  Very generous fairway, wide and open, inviting you to take your best shot of the day.  Straightaway, load up and let it go.  With a big drive down the middle, there is a chance to take it home in two.  And if not, just play it as a three shot (your “three” shot) hole.  A few traps taunt any wayward approach, but not enough to sway your shot selection.  The green slopes a bit toward the ocean, even though it is a few holes away.

Take note of which way the wind might go! Number 5

Rounding up to the 5th hole, though straight as an arrow, it is long and demanding.  With a good drive off the tee, you are still left with a long iron or hybrid in for the approach.   The landing area is fairly flat so gauging the humps and bumps is not as treacherous here.  A suggestion on this hole is to lay up if you cannot get to the green in from the fairway.  Playing short is a good move, then rely on your short game.  The greens are receptive to good bump and runs and even the occasional flopper.

Par 5 - the rolling hills on #6

Number 6 is one of those “gotcha” holes.  To play the design exactly as intended could result in your birdie!  The tee shot is a bit narrow to start due to a few fairway bunkers.  Playing down the left side will give you a nice approach into the dogleg right shaped green.  The rough is cut quite a bit from the green giving ample space in the front. However, there are a few nasty steep faced bunkers that cause the only real havoc on the hole.  Once on the green, take the read, imagine the line and drop it in.

The same burn that came crossed on number one, comes back to slip through just before the green on 7.  It is one of the longer par 4s from every set of tees.  There is a slight dogleg to the left so favoring the right half of the landing area is helpful.  Due to the distance off the tee, you may or may not take the next shot for approach.  If the span is too great, lay it up short of the burn for an easier shot into the green.

One of the easier par 4s on the course does come with a slight challenge.  Looking straight out to the middle of the fairway, which way to go?  An island dissects the runway.  A very well designed hole that is fun.  Once you get past the island, a smaller  green opens up for you to approach.  The surface is wavy, taking putts this way and that.  Play for the break with a softer touch and number 8 will be yours.

A biarritz style green with the backdrop of the sea - #9 - par 3

Ahhh, the 9th.  Certainly one of my favorites.  From an elevated tee box that looks out to Ireland’s Eye, this par 3 captures all of what Irish links golf should be.  Utilizing the natural topography, from the dunes to the sea.  The shot is all carry to one of the largest of all the greens, with different tiers, it all depends on the pin position.  Two bunkers live on the left and one to the back right.  If the pin is left, just play for the center of the green.  The flat is hard to hold.  This is just a wondrous hole with a setting as beautiful.

OH…and just before the tee shot is a nice little halfway house where Irish stouts and other drinks are flowing with style.  If it is cold, a “nip” might just be what the golfer ordered!  Or at least a hot cuppa tea.

Rough and tough off the tee on #10

The back nine at Jameson’s is special starting with hole 10, a lovely par 5 along the sea.  A slight dogleg to the left starts the finishing set.  Grassy dunes and fairway traps guide you along keeping you to the right as the way would have it.  As with any hole, course management takes you on a journey of the game.  Connect with it and the par is yours.

Just focus on the goal at hand and the green ahead - #11

Another scrumptious par 3 is next.  Yes, the 11th hole is short in distance but the treachery in between the tee and green makes for a story.  If nothing but flat ground was laid out, you wouldn’t think twice.  And that is how you play the hole.  The green does slope back to front so error on the side of length.  If you have two clubs in mind, take the longer of the two and swing free.  The surface is relatively flat so will the ball will stop.

The elevated green at #12

Prior to the recent renovation, the 12th was a par 4.  Now a par 5, it is always a favorite as it demands every bit of shot-making, accuracy, and patience.  Straight from the tee with an ever-so slight dogleg to the right, the uphill nature of this hole makes this a challenge.  Extending the green back and then elevating it, captures views of the sea and also a very critical approach.  Missing the green results in the ball running off in any direction.  You can favor the back but not by much, unless you wish to take a try from the fescue.  Longer hitters do have a chance to arrive in two, but the suggestion is to play short and use the mound holding up the green to bump it in or fly it full.

One of the hardest holes is next on the docket.  The 13th is long with double diamond moguls throughout.  A very slight dogleg to the left, favoring the right side of the landing area will allow for an open shot into the green.  Though the number 1 index, playing as intended and picking targets will help you get to the score you want.

Texture at the 14th

Rugged and raw, the length of 14 makes this hole a test. A slight dogleg to the right with a slightly elevated green, the par 5 midway through the back nine has grit, gumption.  There is a bend to the right with just a bunker or two.  The climb is gradual.  The elevation to the green is smooth.  With little trouble to be had, a number of shots can be selected.  Whichever you choose, trust it and believe.

The short par 3, #15, is a relief at this point of the round.  Simple and relaxed, easy and peaceful.  From the tee, look out to the sea.  The green is tucked against the dunes with clear views out to expansive waters.  Close your eyes and listen to the waves.  Take yourself back in time to the Jameson family when they first discovered this property, fed the dreams and let them grow.

Stroke index rates this #16 as one of the hardest holes on the course, and really it is because of the tee shot. Fescue and grassy knolls interrupt the space between the tee and the landing area.  If you can take the carry, the rest of the hole is pretty comfortable.  There is really no way to determine which way the ball will bounce off one of the multiple bumps so let go of control and swing.

Play the hills on #17

A par 3 of old, the newly renovated 17 is an exciting par 4.  By pushing the green back toward the sea, the additional yardage created a risk and reward kind of hole.  Hitting the drive favoring the left side, there is a chance to hit the hill and bounce it down.  Anything right is a bit of a nuisance.  The green is small so having the correct approach will certainly make for a happier you.  Landing it short of the green will bounce it up.  Once on the green, take a look back.  The redesign is a great addition to the track.

The home hole - 18

And the 18th.  Intricate and sophisticated, trying and just.  A long carry off the tee or take it down the narrow strip from the tee to fairway.  It is tight and long, uphill with character.  With the hotel in view, the round is about to come to an end, but not before having to tackle the hole in front.  There is a slight dogleg about halfway down to the right.  So not only do you have the carry from the box but you also have to find the left side of the fairway.  With a launch pad for your approach, just swing up the hill and you will be fine!  The green slopes toward the sea so make sure you read the putt correctly!

And there you have it.  Jameson Golf Links in its entirety!  Whether it is your first round off the plane in Dublin or the one that takes you home, you are in for a treat.  Through history and time, the dunes of St Marnock’s become Portmarnock Golf Links, and then to present day Jameson.  The land is the same, along the shores that bound Ireland. Sláinte!

And Happy Hour in Jameson's Bar!