Pat Ruddy discovered the Brittas Bay site by helicopter in 1986 and spent the next six years building the course largely with his own hands, opening it on Boxing Day 1992 as The European Club. The par-71, 20-hole routing became a regular top-100 world course and was used by Pádraig Harrington to prepare for both his 2007 and 2008 Open Championship wins; Tiger Woods once held the course record with a 67. In 2025 the club was sold and is being completely redesigned by Kyle Phillips under a new name, Brittas Bay Club, due to reopen in 2027.
Pat Ruddy’s links masterpiece has it all. Stunning views over the Irish Sea, truly some of the best holes in the world, a 125 yard green and monstrous pot bunker! Did I mention the bunker? Yes, they are frightening, and so is the rough. Would I ever play there again? Tomorrow!
