Tralee

Tralee Golf Club of Arnold Palmer design fame, is a tale of two nines. The initial nine is built on relatively flat seaside meadowland. #2, 3, & 8 are the best examples of links holes. On the outgoing nine. A golfer can feel pretty good about his game/score walking off the short uphill par-five ninth, maybe even reaching the green in two when aided by the prevailing wind. Nothing hints at the dramatic links surprises awaiting you during the second half of play.
The 10th features a gorgeous green complex. On the #11 tee the stunning course contours begin to unfold with an ascending par five culminating on Palmer's Peak. #12, with a deep chasm in front of the green, is a tremendous test of golf and possibly the most challenging hole on the course. The par-3 13th requires an accurate iron shot over a deep gorge to a narrow plateau shelf. The 14th offers stunning views and a well-placed drive amidst strategically located pot bunkers. And the beat goes on... Hole after hole of magnificent and testing links golf. #16 is a dune-to-dune gem of a par three aptly called Shipwreck. Our caddy told us to add FIVE CLUBS on our approach shots to the elevated 17th green. We were fortunate to play Tralee twice in the span of two days and we were not disappointed.
The weather was another story...
on Friday, we were greeted by strong but manageable winds. 20-25 mph, but still playable. Considine-Haggerty jumped out to an early lead and hung on to defeat Healy-Farrell 5-3. Farrell made it interesting by birdieing both #8 and #9, but C-H answered the rally with four birdies of their own. At the end of the day, Considine (83, with three birds) and Haggerty (87, with one bird) logged the two lowest scores while Healy and Farrell visited the gorse too often to break the coveted 90 number. In the clubhouse, while drinking in the sumptuous panoramic views along with the frothy guinness, we met the gracious Frank Stevenson who regaled us with local history about the area and the club. Dinner at the West End Bar & Restaurant, served by the friendly O'Keefe family, was superb.
Part II - We woke up on Saturday to a howling wind and driving rainstorm. 40mph with water pelting you from all directions. Despite the busy weekend schedule, very few golfers showed
up at the course for their tee times. We debated for a while. But, in the words of the famous Irish patriot James McBino, "we didn't come for a haircut" - so out we marched to the
first tee. We were not going to pass up a day on the links due to a little rain and wind.
This was a challenge of the highest order - not merely of golf, but of survival. Flags were bent to 45 degrees. (The 12th flag was blown out of the hole!) The unflappable and determined Healy was unfazed by the conditions and immediately parred the
first hole. We were totally soaked in a few minutes. Umbrellas were useless. And we didn't
see any other golfers until the second nine when the winds occasionally hit 45-50 mph. Considine-Healy survived long enough to prevail in the four-ball match, each scoring
respectable 89's. Every golfer finished and scored some impressive pars. This was difficult
but fun golf - testing one's stamina and perseverance. We were heralded upon our return to
the clubhouse and quickly took long hot showers, tempered with obligatory Guinness. What a day.
Onto Waterville, a special place indeed...