Lee Ji-yeon's Clubhouse Lee Jae-sul Former Deloitte Anjin Accounting Firm Chairman③

[Financial News] Ireland is a small area (84,421㎢) excluding Gangwon-do from South Korea, but its presence in the world of golf is not small. Ireland (5.3 million people) and Northern Ireland (1.92 million people) combined have a population of only 7.24 million, but they have produced as many as five major winners (Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry/both Ireland, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke/both Northern Ireland).
Ireland (494 courses) and Northern Ireland (92 courses) have 586 golf courses similar to our country. However, the climate is not particularly good. It is windy and rainy throughout the year. Not only the weather but also the golf courses are tough. Standing on the links courses built along the rugged coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, one must face the wind, rough, and bunkers, presenting a challenging course.
In this place, which retains its wild nature, there are golf courses that are on golfers' bucket lists. Royal Portrush GC, located along the rugged coastline of Northern Ireland, drew the attention of golf fans worldwide with The Open, which concluded on the 21st. Royal County Down in Northern Ireland, which regularly ranks first among the world's top 100 courses outside the United States, is a must-visit golf course for golfers.
Old Head Links, spread along the coast of Kinsale, Ireland, is a world-renowned course that captures the natural beauty of Ireland. Although it opened in 1997 and has a relatively short history, it consistently ranks among the world's top 100 courses by global golf media. Former Chairman Lee Jae-sul of Deloitte Anjin Accounting Firm (66) was also captivated by the charm of Old Head Links and visited it three times. He said, "The golf course, perched on a round bay like a protrusion, was truly like a painting. The course layout in its natural state and the heavenly environment where you can view the Atlantic Ocean from every hole made it the most special experience I've had so far."
Among them, the signature 4th hole (par 4), precariously perched on a 100m high cliff along the Atlantic Ocean, is considered one of the most beautiful holes in the world. This is why Old Head is mentioned alongside Pebble Beach Golf Links (USA), Kingsbarns Golf Links (Scotland), and others as one of the most beautiful courses in the world. Former Chairman Lee said, "Once, during a round, I met Americans who said that among the various courses in Ireland, Old Head is the place American golfers most want to play. I remember laughing when they said, 'Pebble Beach, step aside,'" and "Old Head is a course that can be naturally beautiful without artificially beautified elements. Playing in the rough nature unique to links courses while facing the Atlantic wind gives a majestic feeling."


Links courses are golf courses built on barren terrain where sand has accumulated along the coast for hundreds of years, preventing plants from growing properly. The uneven terrain, rugged bunkers, sand dunes created by the wind, and sparse plants within the course give a feeling of 'too desolate.' All of this is because they are built to maximize the use of the natural environment. Former Chairman Lee said, "The characteristic of links courses is 'as is.' The course is as it is, and if it rains or is windy, you have to play in harmony with the natural environment. These aspects are rather more attractive and seem to encourage more challenging play for golfers."
Not only domestically but also worldwide, there are increasing places that claim the concept of links courses. The case of Old Head Links overlaps with the reality of Korean golf courses, which are developed at astronomical costs by cutting mountains and filling valleys. Designers and developers must find good terrain and create courses with characteristics while preserving the original terrain as much as possible. Former Chairman Lee said, "It's strange that a golf course that borrows nature lacks naturalness. Golfers prefer courses that preserve the natural environment over courses artificially beautified with rocks and waterfalls."

/Golf Columnist (Ph.D. in Sports Education) Chairman of the Golf People Association