Emporda (Links)

Emporda (Links)

While the Links does not offer the same playing experience you'd get at Portmarnock or Porthcawl, it sprawls over flat, gently undulating open terrain that is thus significantly affected by the wind. Certainly, it can be as breezy as one of coastal courses, and just as challenging.


The Links has very few trees and the open landscape ensures panoramic views of the mountains that surround much of the resort.


The greens have the look of the links surfaces on our seaside courses; the slippery, subtle undulations that make baked, exposed surfaces so exacting to master. Factor in the tiers – on occasion as many as three of them – and you can appreciate the challenge extends here until the ball is in the hole.


While your long game is tested by a breeze common to our links, it is also challenged by water features which largely are not.


The faux mounding – if that is indeed what it is – has been executed impressively, with terrain – notably on the 13th – that reminds one of Prestwick or Brora. Miss the greens though, and you won't, however, use the ground game that is so effective when playing on those fescue-covered links in your attempts to save par.


Really, its name ought to be disregarded and the focus placed on the fun in negotiating the funky green complex of the 10th, with mounding around it and pimples on the surface.


There is lots of fun to be had here, in engaging approaches to the slender, slippered, tiered green of the short 11th


The 15th, meanwhile, has so many bunkers there is almost more sand covering the playing area than grass.