Post by retteach on Oct 10, 2024 11:11:51 GMT -5
On the northern tip of Ireland, just thirty miles east of Bally Castle in the Antrim’s Glen area, is nestled the quaint farming community of Rettshire, boasting a whopping population of just sixty-nine souls. Surviving the Irish potato famine of 1845 by planting a variety of alternative crops, Rettshire eventually turned much of the dried-out farmland into a small 3 hole golf course that expanded to a full 18 hole layout in 1901.
It was officially named Rettshire Municipal but the locals fondly referred to it as Blind Man’s Bluff. The name doesn’t reference the children’s game of tag, but instead incorporates two dominant trends of the course, one being the dangerous coastal bluff that many holes are routed precariously on, and the other being the more than half dozen intentional blind tee or approach shots to the greens.
Retthacker’s Castle perches ominously to the left of hole 8 in all its glory, a gentle reminder of the historic battle of the Normans and the English in 1399. Farmland on the east of the property belonged to the Fitzpatrick clan while the land to the west was claimed by the Fitzgerald’s who feuded relentlessly over what is now Blind Man’s Bluff.
As a par 72 at only 7,300 yards, Blind Man’s Bluff uniquely offers up five par 5’s, eight par 4’s, and five par 3’s to test the player. Greens run at 145 but were tested and designed to handle 134 and 155 speeds for tournament play. Four tee and four pin sets are options to add to the variety. This is a relaxing easier layout, the main defences being out of bounds along the coastal holes, intentional blind shots, and strategically placed bearded bunkers.
Crank the winds to high or very high and don’t forget to set fairways and greens to firm since this course was designed on the Highland’s theme. Enjoy this piece of history as you play your round and share a pint and tall tales at the end of the day.
It was officially named Rettshire Municipal but the locals fondly referred to it as Blind Man’s Bluff. The name doesn’t reference the children’s game of tag, but instead incorporates two dominant trends of the course, one being the dangerous coastal bluff that many holes are routed precariously on, and the other being the more than half dozen intentional blind tee or approach shots to the greens.
Retthacker’s Castle perches ominously to the left of hole 8 in all its glory, a gentle reminder of the historic battle of the Normans and the English in 1399. Farmland on the east of the property belonged to the Fitzpatrick clan while the land to the west was claimed by the Fitzgerald’s who feuded relentlessly over what is now Blind Man’s Bluff.
As a par 72 at only 7,300 yards, Blind Man’s Bluff uniquely offers up five par 5’s, eight par 4’s, and five par 3’s to test the player. Greens run at 145 but were tested and designed to handle 134 and 155 speeds for tournament play. Four tee and four pin sets are options to add to the variety. This is a relaxing easier layout, the main defences being out of bounds along the coastal holes, intentional blind shots, and strategically placed bearded bunkers.
Crank the winds to high or very high and don’t forget to set fairways and greens to firm since this course was designed on the Highland’s theme. Enjoy this piece of history as you play your round and share a pint and tall tales at the end of the day.
