The Heritage
There is something most engaging about playing two parklands, back-to-back, with such different characteristics. Close to the heartlands of Ireland, west of Dublin, I teed it up at The Heritage and then Portarlington. The Heritage is the big-ticket item, a course designed by Seve Ballesteros, with length and muscle, rolling fairways, big bunkers and water in play on eight holes. It is an impressive set-up, all the more for having the hotel alongside. The Seve Trophy was played here in 2007, only three years after the course opened. Seve captained the European side but they were soundly beaten by Great Britain and Ireland. As I approached the clubhouse I was greeted by a statue of the Spaniard. A little inspiration goes a long way.
