“One of the most exciting ‘new’ golfing experiences on the planet.”
—Golf Digest
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Truly special.
Narin & Portnoo has long been regarded as one of Ireland’s hidden gems. But with a significant restorative effort by the design team of Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, don’t expect Narin & Portnoo to be hidden for long.
Set on an incredibly breathtaking strip of linksland along the Atlantic Coast in the Donegal region north-west Ireland, since 1905 Narin & Portnoo has been known to those seeking intriguing, inventive and unforgettable links golf.
In recent years, new ownership engaged Hanse and Wagner to re-establish the classic features that made Narin & Portnoo so compelling. The result is a remarkable transformation—an eminently walkable Irish links that is generating raves from visiting golfers and critics alike.
Experience Narin & Portnoo for yourself, and you’ll be sure to agree this revitalized course is among the best in Ireland.
Restoring the genius:
Established in 1905, Narin & Portnoo Links has long been part of the golfing landscape of northwest Ireland. Over time, the course was reshaped and altered, creating a patchwork of styles that never quite matched its remarkable setting.
That changed when course architects Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner were invited to reimagine the links. Their work restored the natural rhythm of the land, introducing new tees, greens and contours that bring out the full beauty and challenge of the terrain.
“What’s remarkable is Jim and Gil took all of the elements of the property into consideration and created something very special,” says owner Larry Foley. “It is more enjoyable, more fun, more intriguing and even pace of play is improved. Challenging design elements were transformed into strengths.”
Designers:
“I was just blown away by its beauty — the sky, the landscape, the water.” That was golf designer Jim Wagner’s take on first seeing Narin & Portnoo. Over the following two years, renowned architect Gil Hanse, who works alongside Wagner, turned Narin & Portnoo, already an established course, into a world-class design.
Hanse Golf Design is among the most important golf architecture firms working in the industry today. Having created Top 100 courses like Castle Stuart, the Black Course at Streamsong, and the course for golf’s return to the Olympics in Brazil, Hanse’s team is also known for restoring many of the best in the world, fabled haunts like Winged Foot, Merion, and Fishers Island.
Hanse and Wagner reimagined Narin & Portnoo, tapping into its potential. “Golfers will be blown away by the natural beauty, interest and quirk that the property offers,” said Wagner. “The new combination of golf holes and greens locations will add challenge and stunning visuals associated with the property.”