The best kept secret in Dublin

"Have you been here before?" he remarked, before quickly adding: "You'll find it's the best kept secret in Dublin." I hadn't, and Austin Brogan, the secretary-manager at Hollywood Lakes, was to be vindicated. Carved out of the rich farmland of Fingal, the exotically named parkland course is a mighty discovery among the myriad of country roads that cut across the plains of north county Dublin.

Indeed, if you stand on the 12th tee-box, preferably on a day when the wind has abated, the panoramic view is a sight to behold. Ireland's Eye, that island off Howth Head, is over 15 miles away but appears remarkably close and is actually the target for any straight-hitter on this hole, while other landmarks, including the airport, are discernible. Yet, there are places on the course where you wouldn't meet a soul and the feeling persists that you could be a million miles from anywhere.

Of course, Hollywood Lakes is not new - and, as a venue for Pierce Purcell Shield, Jimmy Bruen and Junior Cup competitions under the auspices of the Leinster Branch of the Golfing Union of Ireland, is well-known to club team players. They've spread the word about the course, designed by Mel Flanagan and opened as a commercial enterprise back in 1991. However, it was bought out by the members in 1994 and, since then, has gone from strength to strength.

The Irish Wolfhound on the club's logo hints at the course's roots. Originally, the land belonged to a farmer John Kelly, a noted breeder of such dogs, and fortunately my guide for the day was Kit White who had worked on the farm in its previous life but who is now employed as head greenkeeper. He knows every mound and burrow on a course which has water (the lakes are all man-made) in play on no less than eight holes.

However, the lakes aren't of the monstrous variety. Instead, they integrate rather nicely, and the rushes and reeds and water flowers aren't too instrusive.

The members' efforts since assuming ownership are already evident. Coillte have planted over 50,000 trees - 65 per cent of them oak - on the course in recent years and the members have an on-going development programme that has already resulted in the construction of a new putting green in front of the clubhouse and, also, the building of some new pathways from green-to-tee (with more to follow) and a new roadway from the entrance. On the course, a number of new bunkers have been constructed.

Water, though, is very much a feature, and it is obvious from the very first hole, a short par four with dog-leg left where a wellplaced tee-shot (probably with a long iron or 3-wood, depending on wind direction) leaves the player with a shot to the green that demands precision. There is an optical illusion in that, at first, the lake appears to only guard the front of the green, but it actually stretches around the left edge to the back as well.

The fourth hole is a beauty, a par three with an uphill tee-shot to a two-tier green. "There are some parts of this green that are so fast you'd think you were in Augusta," commented White. Again, there is water in front of the tee although it is the contours of the green itself which make it such an interesting hole. To the left is a quarry, overgrown at present, which houses an old well and, in time, the plan is to make it a feature of the hole. That should further enhance its beauty.

Generally, the course is extremely well-maintained and the rough off the fairways isn't too penal. However, the seventh hole has the sort of devilish difficulties that can destroy a card. Although not immediately apparent off the tee, there is water just 200 yards away waiting to devour golf balls - so the prudent shot is a lay-up, even if the brave and foolish are tempted to make the carry of over 250 yards. The second shot is all uphill, with a tree in the middle of the fairway, to a two-tier green with a grass bunker on the left. A fine hole indeed.

The back nine starts off with the 10th, a tough par four, with the fairway falling dramatically to the left, while the short par three 11th is a lovely, if deceptive, hole without any bunkers and ingeniously surrounded by magnificent mounding.

Then, there is the 14th hole. Nowhere in Ireland will you find a longer par five, and some suggest that there is no hole as long throughout Europe. Measuring all of 639 yards off the championship stakes, it is, thankfully, downhill and its other saving grace is that the fairway is generously wide. Still, it's a long slog to the green with the added danger of water right, frequently found by those playing third shots with fairway woods.

Mercifully, the following par five hole is some 110 yards shorter and brings you to a finishing stretch that has considerable variety, with the index one 18th hole returning you to the sanctuary of the clubhouse. A slight dog-leg right, the onus on the 18th is to make a good drive (blind!) over the hill but with the promise of a generous green to come.

When the members' buy-out materialised in 1994, there were around 220 of them. The intention is to eventually bring the membership up to a ceiling of 586 The course itself has matured exceptionally well and the members are determined not to rest on their laurels.

There is a friendly feel to the place and, combined with the golfing challenge, that would be enough to ensure many repeat visits. As Arnie says, "I'll be back."

Hollywood Lakes

Location: Eight miles north of Swords in Co Dublin. Turn off the N1 Dublin-Belfast road at Blakes Cross for Ballyboughal and the golf course (well sign-posted) is a mile out of the village.

Contact: Secretary/Manager: Austin Brogan. Tel: 843 3406/843 3407. Fax: 843 3002.

Course: 18-hole parkland. Championship: 6,870 yards, Par 72, SSS 72; Yellow: 6,499 yards, Par 72, SSS 71. Women's 5,651 yards, Par 72, SSS 72.

Design: Mel Flanagan.

Opened: 1991 (affiliated to GUI and ILGU in 1992).

Green Fees: £17 m/w; £22 w/e (£10 with member). Early Bird specials (8a.m.10a.m. Mon-Fri) £10.

Accommodation: Contact Fingal Tourism. Tel: 01-840 0077. Fax: 01-890 0377.