"The hidden jewel of the West" Christy O’Connor Snr

Strandhill Golf Club is famous not just for its warm welcome, but also for its own most enjoyable layout, winding through sand-dunes, with blind approach shots resulting from misplaced drives, and challenging elevated greens testing the accuracy of iron play. Recovery from the undulating links heather and reeds also tests the shot-making closer to the green.

Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic, Starndhill is also a favourite for surfers in Ireland, which gives an indication of the wind conditions that often challenge the golfer here.