Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2012 - 18

Doonbeg
plays fast and fi rm.
During our round the rains came and
the wind howled. The relatively short
par-4 5th (245-373 yards) played uphill
and straight into the wind blowing
in from Doughmore Bay. From the tee,
a short carry of 140 yards required a full
driver to make the fairway. The wind
was so strong that while I was over my
approach shot, a gust upended my trolley
and scattered my clubs like pickup sticks.
Doonbeg's signature hole, the 14th, is
short on yards but long on carry. The tee
points toward the beach, where the green
sits completely exposed on a steep dune.
Forget the yardage (83-100 yards on the
card); just be sure to strike something that
fl ies about 150 yards.
Doonbeg's 9th hole
is another memorable
par 3 (92-175 yards),
though this one runs
parallel to the beach.
The narrow green
is squeezed by a beach
fence on the left and
three pot bunkers
and a grassy dune on
the right. On your
way to the 10th tee,
turn and look over
your shoulder. You'll
be rewarded with a
stunning view of the
vast beach, links and
the Doonbeg Lodge
beyond.
Doonbeg
" Doonbeg was a
nice way to fi nish the
trip, "
Ruhl recalls.
" The staff was very
friendly, the breakfast
was great, the room was comfortable, and
it felt like a fi ve-star hotel-a classy place. "
Even Doonbeg's practice area left its
mark on Ruhl, who found it " a great driving
range. "
After our fi nal round of golf we met
at Darby's, Doonbeg's casual golf pub
overlooking the fi rst tee. A large wedding
party of Americans and locals from Limerick
crowded the bar.
Mary Mount joined the " session, " hoping
to sing an Irish ballad. Instead, she was
16
MINNESOTA GOLFER Fall 2012
tapped to sing " King of the Road, " Roger
Miller's 1964 hit.
" When we did sing an Irish song,
I
didn't understand the lyrics, " she recalls.
" But it must have meant a lot to the family
because they joined in, singing and sobbing. "
Our
trip represented RC Escapes' 64th
consecutive golf group. It was Capon's fi -
nal tour before a much-needed vacation.
Capon, who frequently provides coach
services to Remarkable Travel, exudes the
The course
runs along a
mile and a half
of crescentshaped
beach.
Carne
Sligo
BELFAST
Enniscrone
GALWAY
DUBLIN
Lahinch
Doonbeg
IRELAND
CORK
uniquely Irish brand of warm hospitality
and a genuine friendliness that others recognize
instantly.
" Roy is happy to see you every morning, "
says Aldrich. " He keeps you positive, and
he adds an inestimable quality-charm. "
Capon also happens to be an original
member of Doonbeg, where his likeness
appears in an oil painting hung in the
clubhouse to celebrate the club's grand
opening match between Greg Norman and
Padraig Harrington.
Although his tourism business is " booming
with Americans, " Capon says the Irish
economy is in rough shape. That sentiment
was echoed by our caddies, who get about
60-70 euro per bag but who both said they
were seeking employment elsewhere. Neill,
our caddie from Sligo, was leaving Rosses
Point the very next day for a construction
job in London.
Like our loopers, Clara, 22, the barkeep
at O'D's Pub near Carne, also yearned to
be far beyond Belmullet.
" Someday when the plane takes me
away, " she lamented. MG
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Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2012

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