Ashbourne, Balcarrick, Roganstown - any views?

dubber

A friend of mine is considering joining a club in North Dublin/Meath - anyone have any views on these three or others (haven't played them myself)?

Dealerz

Only my opinion ( as a member of Roganstown it's gonna have a slight bias)

Ashbourne is good track but will be closed more than open from November to end of feb or there will only be 9 holes open.

Balcarrick is.... Well it's grand.., nothing memorable to tell you about it. Time sheet access was an issue when I considered joining three years ago.

Roganstown is a good test length wise- back 9 holes are very open and forgiving. Greens are always in good condition. It rarely closes in winter and will always have the full 18 open. it will never ever have temporary greens. Never an issue with time sheets.

AGC

Dealerz wrote: »

Only my opinion ( as a member of Roganstown it's gonna have a slight bias)

Ashbourne is good track but will be closed more than open from November to end of feb or there will only be 9 holes open.

Balcarrick is.... Well it's grand.., nothing memorable to tell you about it. Time sheet access was an issue when I considered joining three years ago.

Roganstown is a good test length wise- back 9 holes are very open and forgiving. Greens are always in good condition. It rarely closes in winter and will always have the full 18 open. it will never ever have temporary greens. Never an issue with time sheets.

Where are you getting your info on Ashbourne?! As a member there it certainly isn't closed more than its open in those months.

Winter league is also 12/14 holes and not 'just 9 holes will be open'

It'll stay closed if greens or frozen(because they don't use temps) or the weather is bad just like any other club.

Dealerz

Well AGC I think that's the point I'm making about Ashbourne- it's a good track but for those months you in general won't get to play 18 hole members comps due to bad weather/bad drainage whereas the full 18 would be open in Roganstown as it has excellent drainage. It's extremely rare to be closed due to rain but yes I agree a severe frost closers the majority of courses except swords and Corballis which never turn you away.

AGC

Dealerz wrote: »

Well AGC I think that's the point I'm making about Ashbourne- it's a good track but for those months you in general won't get to play 18 hole members comps due to bad weather/bad drainage whereas the full 18 would be open in Roganstown as it has excellent drainage.

You are making no sense. The drainage in Ashbourne is good, therefore it is only closed in bad weather like any other club when the weather is bad...ie exteme rain.

The 18 holes are open also as they use a 2 tee start for Winter league which means the 18 holes are open...Just like Roganstown

Im not sure of the actual numbers of days lost last winter to bad weather (Rain) but it was very few. The previous Winter was a different story with the snow, as was everywhere.

Unless you know for sure...which you don't seem to. I wouldn't go comenting on other clubs unless you are there week in week out.

TRS30

Another course to consider would be Beaverstown. A very good test of golf, with excellent greens. Drainage is good and it is open or closed as often as other clubs in the area.

I know they are offering a special new members deal at the moment.

Dealerz

In your previous post AGC you wrote that that winter comps are either 12/14 hole comps- am I wrong to assume that the other holes are under water due to them being beside the river?
If I am wrong please accept my apologies!

My point again is that all comps at Roganstown during the winter are 18 holes comps unlike many courses.

If I'm paying over €1000 in subs pa I want to play 18 holes not a shortened 9 or 12/14 hole comp- I think that's the minimum a club should be able to offer potential members which is what I was highlighting to OP

AGC

Dealerz wrote: »

In your previous post AGC you wrote that that winter comps are either 12/14 hole comps- am I wrong to assume that the other holes are under water due to them being beside the river?
If I am wrong please accept my apologies!

My point again is that all comps at Roganstown during the winter are 18 holes comps unlike many courses.

If I'm paying over €1000 in subs pa I want to play 18 holes not a shortened 9 or 12/14 hole comp- I think that's the minimum a club should be able to offer potential members which is what I was highlighting to OP

No the 18 are open and a 2 tee start is used.

There is a couple of reasons they are not 18 holes: A lot of members don't want to play 18 over the Winter and with a shorter competition and 2 tee start you can get a lot more members out.

If you go 18 holes it has to be between 8.30 and 12.30. Playing 14 and 12 in middle of Winter allows it run later.

Winter golf is for nothing but getting out playing, 9/12/14/18 doesn't make a massive difference.

Dealerz

AGC wrote: »

No the 18 are open and a 2 tee start is used.

There is a couple of reasons they are not 18 holes: A lot of members don't want to play 18 over the Winter and with a shorter competition and 2 tee start you can get a lot more members out.

If you go 18 holes it has to be between 8.30 and 12.30. Playing 14 and 12 in middle of Winter allows it run later.

Winter golf is for nothing but getting out playing, 9/12/14/18 doesn't make a massive difference.

I apologise!

mike12

Hi,
Of the courses in the Area I would rate them.
The Island.
Roganstown.
St Margrets.
Balbriggan.
Hollywood lakes.
Beaverstown.
Forrest Little.
Coorstown.
Ashbourne.
Corballis.
Hollystown.
Donabate.
Swords Open.
Balcarrick.
Mike

Dealerz

mike12 wrote: »

Hi,
Of the courses in the Area I would rate them.
The Island.
Roganstown.
St Margrets.
Balbriggan.
Hollywood lakes.
Beaverstown.
Forrest Little.
Coorstown.
Ashbourne.
Corballis.
Hollystown.
Donabate.
Swords Open.
Balcarrick.
Mike

Hi mike
Hope you've brought a helmet for that post! Duck and cover!!

mike12

Dealerz wrote: »

Hi mike
Hope you've brought a helmet for that post! Duck and cover!!

Maybe someone should set up a poll, like all rankings it is just my preference, I have played them all at least 4/5 times and if I had to make a choice that the order I would play them in. Helmet is on:D.

deko43

dubber wrote: »

A friend of mine is considering joining a club in North Dublin/Meath - anyone have any views on these three or others (haven't played them myself)?

Of the three Ashbourne would be the choice for me. Its a nice course, they still have solid membership numbers and they have remained conservative in terms of spending money. Roganstown is over rated in terms of the course and the family ownership would scare me.
I like Balcarrick too but I would give the nod to Ashbourne for sure.

John Divney

I'd go Hollywood lakes over them all, but there seems to be the financial strife at the moment.

AGC

John Divney wrote: »

I'd go Hollywood lakes over them all, but there seems to be the financial strife at the moment.

Yeah, I have also played it in a couple of Inter Club matches over the last year and it was in poor condition.

Going back 2-3 years ago to the last time I played it the place was in far better shape

Dealerz

John Divney wrote: »

I'd go Hollywood lakes over them all, but there seems to be the financial strife at the moment.

We are not allowed to talk about this "strife".

dubber

Dealerz wrote: »

We are not allowed to talk about this "strife".

There's a presentation on their website about it! St Margaret's is also for sale according to the Irish Times (albeit in different circumstances).

FixdePitchmark

mike12 wrote: »

Maybe someone should set up a poll, like all rankings it is just my preference, I have played them all at least 4/5 times and if I had to make a choice that the order I would play them in. Helmet is on:D.

surprised you put Corballis so low, but hey.

John Divney

Dealerz wrote: »

We are not allowed to talk about this "strife".

Really? I've read the letters they sent my Dad, it's public knowledge.

golfwallah

dubber wrote: »

There's a presentation on their website about it!

Where? In the password protected members section??

Dealerz

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057012066/1/#post85930186

See advice from moderators in the last Hollywood lakes thread.

dubber

I'm not a member, this was one of the first results on a Google search, things have probably moved on since this was uploaded:

http://www.hollywoodlakesgolfclub.com/news/uploads/20130728_Presentation_re_Receiver_for_website.pdf

John Divney

Dealerz wrote: »

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057012066/1/#post85930186

See advice from moderators in the last Hollywood lakes thread.

This is not a private matter though. It's legally free and information from the companies Registars office, the property is in receivership.

Golfgraffix

I would say Roganstown as my pick of all three. I was a member there for a number of years and had no real issues with the place. The course is good, well kept and can test you golf.

Although all 3 are about the same level i found the RT had a better feel as a golf course, it is consistant in its strategy without being boring. The other two have some good holes but some really boring ones too.

I guess it is all subjective anyway.

I would add that of the list of local courses I would put Hollywood Lakes on the bottom of the list, the course just does nothing for me.

J

CarefulNow!

Played Roganstown last year, hungover and the weather was freezing... still really enjoyed it! Guess thats a sign of an enjoyable course!!

Each have their charms but I would vote for Roganstown myself

Someday

Roganstown also have a payment plan, I heard Ashbourne is packed out!

No "clubhouse" in Roganstown though, what about Castleknock?

Dealerz

Someday wrote: »

Roganstown also have a payment plan, I heard Ashbourne is packed out!

No "clubhouse" in Roganstown though, what about Castleknock?

Re no clubhouse- Roganstown has showers/lockers/restaurant/members only bar- what else would you need to have a "club house"? Also the subs deal for 2013 included "free" gym/pool membership- 2012 was a free night for 2 in hotel- not bad eh?
.... And there's even a barbers on site for any pre round grooming issues.
I'm hoping 2014 deal is a free cut to my handicap 😢

Dr_Colossus

Have played Roganstown a couple of times and always enjoyed it but still think it's membership at nearly €1500 is poor value, would have to seriously consider it for membership if it was under €1200 and would definitely join for ~€1000

CarefulNow!

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Have played Roganstown a couple of times and always enjoyed it but still think it's membership at nearly €1500 is poor value, would have to seriously consider it for membership if it was under €1200 and would definitely join for ~$1000

Have to agree with you here, they would have me if they were in around the 1k!

Too expensive at just below 1500 when ya cost it out per week and throw the rounds in comps on top

Dealerz

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Have played Roganstown a couple of times and always enjoyed it but still think it's membership at nearly €1500 is poor value, would have to seriously consider it for membership if it was under €1200 and would definitely join for ~€1000

No other quality course in the area is charging €1000 why would a course like Roganstown? And no other course in the area can offer "extras" I mentioned previously so realistically price should not be a deciding factor. But I'm not here to sell it as I think the price and quality of how its maintained by the green keepers speak for itself.
The price difference for similar quality courses is irrelevant spread over the year:
Ashbourne charging €1399 which is only 40€ less than Roganstown
St Margaret's are charging €1380 which is only €59 cheaper