HERITAGE
Baltray (Baile na Tra, Town of the Strand), is on the north side of the Boyne estuary, three miles from Drogheda, on the coast road to Termonfeckin. It is well preserved village with a loose grouping of small houses including a couple with thatched roofs. There is also the public house, fittingly called the “The 19th”.
County Louth Golf Club, or Baltray as it's known locally, was a vision of a Scotsman, Thomas Gilroy who had a profound influence on the development of golf in Ireland. Gilroy laid out the first links at Baltray in the Spring of 1892 and following the foundation of County Louth Golf Club in October that year he was elected the first Captain of the Club.
The course was modified to a large extent when Tom Simpson and his assistant, Molly Gourlay, redesigned the course in 1938 but so successful were the alterations made at this time, the course remains relatively unchanged today. Noted in Irish golfing circles for the quality of its greens, visitors to County Louth are often perplexed that a links of such quality should have a rather modest international profile.
Baltray plays annual host to the East of Ireland Golf Championships since its inauguration in 1941, which was won no fewer than 12 times by the legendary Irish amateur, Joe Carr. The club recently hosted the Irish Open in 2004 and 2009.
At a length of almost 7,031 yards, Baltray is certainly not short, but when you consider the natural hazards of the links game combined with blowing winds and heavy rough, it becomes a difficult, though immensely enjoyable golf course. Some of the finest holes at Baltray include the difficult par four opening hole; the long par five 3rd, which requires a blind shot over a knoll onto a small green; the par five 6th, which leads through a valley of dunes to a green hidden behind two hills; the par four 14th, which requires a drive from an elevated tee to a fairway almost 200 yards away; and the majestic closing hole, complete with some malicious bunkering.
Baltray is a family club. There are the Connolly’s, Gannon’s, Garvey’s, Lyon’s and the Reddans, to mention a few, whose commitment dedication and foresight have brought worldwide recognition to the club.
Baltray is not just a great golf links, it is a great Golf Club.
County Louth Golf Club, or Baltray as it's known locally, was a vision of a Scotsman, Thomas Gilroy who had a profound influence on the development of golf in Ireland. Gilroy laid out the first links at Baltray in the Spring of 1892 and following the foundation of County Louth Golf Club in October that year he was elected the first Captain of the Club.
The course was modified to a large extent when Tom Simpson and his assistant, Molly Gourlay, redesigned the course in 1938 but so successful were the alterations made at this time, the course remains relatively unchanged today. Noted in Irish golfing circles for the quality of its greens, visitors to County Louth are often perplexed that a links of such quality should have a rather modest international profile.
Baltray plays annual host to the East of Ireland Golf Championships since its inauguration in 1941, which was won no fewer than 12 times by the legendary Irish amateur, Joe Carr. The club recently hosted the Irish Open in 2004 and 2009.
At a length of almost 7,031 yards, Baltray is certainly not short, but when you consider the natural hazards of the links game combined with blowing winds and heavy rough, it becomes a difficult, though immensely enjoyable golf course. Some of the finest holes at Baltray include the difficult par four opening hole; the long par five 3rd, which requires a blind shot over a knoll onto a small green; the par five 6th, which leads through a valley of dunes to a green hidden behind two hills; the par four 14th, which requires a drive from an elevated tee to a fairway almost 200 yards away; and the majestic closing hole, complete with some malicious bunkering.
Baltray is a family club. There are the Connolly’s, Gannon’s, Garvey’s, Lyon’s and the Reddans, to mention a few, whose commitment dedication and foresight have brought worldwide recognition to the club.
Baltray is not just a great golf links, it is a great Golf Club.
