Waterford Golf Club is a par 71 parkland style course located atop Mount Misery on the north side of the River Suir (pronounced Shure), Waterford, Ireland. The course was founded in 1912, the front 9 was designed by Willie Park, and the back 9 by 5 times Open Champion James Braid.
There are panoramic views of Waterford city from the clubhouse bar areas, and some of the higher holes!
A par 71, it comprises 5 par 5s, 9 par 4s and 4 par 5s. The course is carded in metres, is 5,652 metres from the Blue back tees and 5,488 metres from the forward White tees.
The par 3 holes 3, 7 & 16 are very short, whilst holes 9 & 13 are medium/long, depending on which tees used.
Whilst not ranked in the top 100 courses in Ireland, it is nevertheless a challenging course; all of the par 5s are difficult and many of the par 4s also. The GPS golf watch comes in most usefully when trying to assess club yardage requirements.
The course generally is in excellent condition. Fairways and greens evidenced signs of verti-draining in readiness for winter conditions but the course wasn't adversely affected.
This is one of 6 very good courses, ie 5 members clubs and a municipal pay & play, within a half hour of the city centre. Waterford City is an excellent society venue!
The pro-shop is moderate but the professional/staff are very hospitable, experienced and very helpful particularly to visitors.
The bar area overlooks the 18th green; with downhill (often blind) approach shots appearing from the left hand side. A par is an excellent outcome but a bogey also good!
There is an excellent practice area to the rear of the 1st tee area, where players are able to hit from a wide grassy area, where the hitting area (between ropes) rotates, and where even the very long drivers can get satisfaction!
Food is good quality and reasonably priced!
This is the club I would most likely be a member of in the event that I ever returned to Ireland, though I also like Waterford Castle and Tramore. A choice more in preference for the ambience of the Waterford clubhouse rather than course ranking! Such is the high volume of inter-club open competitions throughout the 'summer' months that you would get many opportunities to play the neighbouring clubs. Waterford GC is also coincidentally the home club of a former childhood next door neighbour/friend in the days before the family emigrated to London.
Date Friday, 30, November 2018
