Dooks Golf Club was founded in 1889 by officers of the Royal Horse Artillery stationed nearby for gunnery practice. A brief expansion to 18 holes in 1900 was abandoned for cost reasons, and the second nine was not permanently added until members built it themselves around 1970. Martin Hawtree carried out a full redesign between 2003 and 2006.
Located between Killarney and Waterville on the Ring of Kerry, is one of the country’s oldest links courses. The club itself describes the course as a ‘hidden gem’, a claim that I cannot verify. The gem part is true, though. But it’s not hidden. My round lasted a slim 5 ½ hours, that the course’s layout is so good that you’re perfectly entertained even during involuntary overtime. The vistas of Dingle Bay on one side and the slopes of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks on the other are truly magnificent. The course conditions were also simply impeccable. I will definitely be back. In the off-season.
