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Ballyneal Gets Better

Ten years after beginning its meteoric ascent into the outer orbits of elite courses, Ballyneal Golf Club continues to shine even brighter. Bentgrass now shores up its delicate fescue greens, providing more consistent and resilient putting surfaces. To accommodate the growing number of members, the plush lodging now accommodates up to 56 people, who can avail themselves of a massage or a steam at the onsite spa. A five-stand, 10-station sporting clay course opened this year, and guided upland bird hunts preserve Ballyneal’s heritage as a top gun club. Though walkers still comprise 99 percent of the rounds on this inland redoubt of links golf, players can now take a cart.

“We’re all about creating more fun,” says General Manager Dave Hensley, who grew in the course as its original superintendent and has seen its entire evolution.

Pursuantly, as of last month, members and guests can play The Commons, a rollicking putting course inspired by The Punchbowl designed by Ballyneal architect Tom Doak with Jim Urbina at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. And by this time next summer, golfers will also have a 13-hole short course on which to settle bets and squeeze in a few extra holes.

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