Along with Adare, Killarney, Cork and Fota Island, Woodstock Golf Club is one of those golf courses that contradict the often mistakenly held belief that the finest courses in the Irish southwest are all of the links variety. While it cannot be denied that the likes of Tralee, Waterville, Lahinch and Ballybunion are each world class links, playing a parkland gem can sometimes provide a welcome respite from the different requirements of the demanding links game.

Developed in 1993 and opened for play in 1994, the course, while still maturing, is fast gaining a excellent reputation as a championship challenge. After playing Ballybunion for the first time, Tom Watson insisted that it was a place where every golf architect "should live and play before they build golf courses". Well course designer, Arthur Spring, did just that and has made excellent use of the mature, wooded, undulating terrain at his disposal in producing a majestic layout. Situated on a generous estate of some 160 acres, the site also comprises the magnificent four star Woodstock Hotel and as such, the resort is an ideal golfing base.

Clever routing and expert use of both natural and man made features compensate for relatively few bunkers, while as a spectacular design feature, Spring created a two and a half acre lake where the River Inch defines the southern boundary of the course. It and its connecting streams have produced four truly memorable holes, including the par threes at the 6th, 8th and 11th holes and the formidable par four 7th.

Renowned for the consistently high standard of its greens, at a championship length of over 420 yards, the par four 7th is certainly one of the finest on the course. Requiring a tee shot played from an elevated position to an island fairway, your approach shot is again across the lake to a large, undulating green, sloping from back to front. The par three 8th hole measures 186 yards from the back stakes and a crisp tee shot is required over water to a two tiered island green. Every great golf course boasts an excellent finish and Woodstock is no different. The stretch of par fours from the 16th to the 18th are three of the finest closing holes anywhere.