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CARNE GOLF LINKS - IGTOA COURSE OF THE YEAR

8th March 2005:
Tailor-Made Golf Tours celebrated more than most last night at the annual IGTOA Awards when Carne Golf Links was awarded the prestigous Golf Course of the Year Award.

Accepting the award on behalf of all the team at Carne and in Erris Tourism, General Manager James O'Hara said "It will increase the growing reputuation of Carne and also golf in the west of Ireland". He also paid tribute during his acceptance speech to the late and legendary Eddie Hackett who designed the course.

Carne is possibly Ireland's remotest course, but it is just over one hours journey from the lively towns of Westport or Ballina. From here the visiting golfer can sample 4 great links courses - Carne, Enniscrone, Connemara and County Sligo - which will in time gain the same stature as the more famous southwestern or northeastern courses.

While the cost of golf in Ireland continues to be the subject of much debate it is interesting to note that the combined green-fee for these four courses is less than one round at the most expensive courses in Ireland and not much more than one round on the other premier links courses in Ireland.

Carne Golf Links was built as the centrepiece of a co-operative initiative to promote tourism in the Erris region of north-west Mayo. On a limited budget, Eddie Hackett designed his last Irish golf course (he had a hand in nearly 100 Irish designs) and what is widely regarded as his legacy. Eddie himself said "I am thrilled the way the dramatic Belmullet course has turned out, and again I reiterate my opinion that ultimately there will be no better links course in this country or indeed anywhere".

Dermot Gileece, one of Ireland's foremost golf journalists said "Carne is quite simply the most stunning 'discovery' I have made in golf", while Jock Howard of Golf World (January 2005) said "It's not often that a golf course completely blows my mind. In fact, in 38 years of playing this silly game, it has only happened twice. It (Carne) is absolutely fantastic."

A unique golf arrangement in Ireland, Carne Golf Links is host to Belmullet Golf Club, Belmullet being the principal town in the Erris region.

Tailor-Made Golf Tours client Dan Mac drove 5 hours to play Carne. He ranked the courses as follows: Lahinch, Carne, Waterville, Tralee and Connemara. "We had a perfect day for Lahinch and I was simply blown away. It is simply the greatest golf course I've ever played. Carne is a close second"

In summary, for a mind blowing golf experience that does not cost the earth go and play Carne.

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