March 2023

Castletown, Ireland

The community of Castletown, Co. Meath (situated some 17 kilometres from Navan) met on 29 May 1996. A Committee was formed to investigate the possibility of building a course adjacent to the parochial house and the village's old school. Castletown Pitch and Putt club was born. Brendan O'Brien from Navan was commissioned to assist with the design and the course was officially opened on 21 June 1998.

Unusually, Castletown opens up with the Index 1 hole - a 70 metre test calling for a downhill pitch over a large mound. Out of Bounds looms left and long. Hole No. 3 is 62 metres Index 3 and renowned for a bank behind the green that may help or hinder if one generates too much spin. The 4th tee is set up some steps in Castletown's small wood. A large shrub obstructs the player's view of the green which is 60 emtres away.

Shortest hole on the layout is the ninth at 36 metres. It's not a straightforward assisgment, however, as a rating of Index 8 will attest. The green is cut into a hill and the player will see just the top of flagstick from the tee. Beware the big fall short of the target. Easiest hole on the course is considered to be the 41 metre 17th where the only slight hazard is a small mound front right.

The 17th looms directly after another tricky hole. The Index 2 16th presents a sheer drop to to the left of the green together with a large bunker short of the green, which slopes significantly uphill from the front.

The 10th tee presents a nice view of the local church. Having taken in the view, one must fashion a downhill 63 metre pitch to a narrow green.

Castletown is regularly in demand as a host venue for county, provincial and national events. Club members Eamon Gibney and Evan Carry have both won Irish Opens. Gibney has helped Ireland to European championship and World Cup victories while Carry was on the victorious Irish side against Catalonia at Seapoint in 2018.