Friday 9th October 2026
Golf in Roganstown Plane to Malta
The whistling wind and rat tat tat of rain on the window pane were unwelcome guests overnight as we lay awake thinking about the game of golf on the Championship course at Roganstown.
The weather App showed 10 mm of rain overnight and winds still to be the predicted 60-70kph.
No use laying around panicking so we headed for breakfast and splurged on a late checkout so we could get dry and respectable before our flight in the late afternoon.
Arrived even before the Pro, who probably thought that nobody would be mad enough to pull around a cart at 800am in these conditions. He was wrong and we were on a mission to conquer the course.
Got our 9th free golf ball, a set of brand new Taylormade golf clubs, a good old fashioned pull buggy and a ‘ you won’t find many people out’ goodbye from the Pro before sloshing down to the first tee box.
The shape and width of fairway and abundance of bunkers suggested it might be a harder test of our limited ability than yesterday, as did the 5 stroke blowout in handicap.
Thankfully first hole was with the breeze and with a swish slosh splash we were off on a beautifully manicured course whete the robot mowers are smart enough to cut a pattern along the fairway.
Most of the holes, even Par 3’s were long and protected by bunkers and water. The water often ran across or along to catch errant shots -aka mine.
The rain abated after 4 holes, so the jacket hood could come off, but the wind made the 11 degrees feel like 7. It was a day for hitting low trajectory shots else the wind would have its way with them. Even on the greens the ball would get blown off course.
We did see 3 Greenkeeper , 1 bloke in a cart and innumerable robot mowers over the course of the first 7 holes before tracking to the other side of the course.
Made no difference with 8th hole needing a driver, 3 wood and 4 iron to nearly reach the green into the wind and it was a Par 4.
The ninth hole, a 190 metre Par 3 over the water was the signature hole of the course. No water for us but plenty of hits avoiding it.
Decided to soldier on for the back nine and it was tougher and more spectacular as a golf layout. Little wonder national and international events are hosted here,
Had the highlight of the two days on the hardest hole on the course. Followed great drive with a shot into trees 100
metres out and then whacked one 8 feet past the cup on steep downhill. Thinking lucky 4 or probable 5 I walked up the green only to see a gust of wind start the ball on a fortunate journey into the hole for a 3 and 5 Stableford points- half my total the back 9.
That gave me 29 points for which I was gratefully. The course triumphed over Jane despite her hitting some pretty good shots. It will surely whet her appetite to start using her news clubs when we get home.
Finished the game in no rain and slightly reduced winds, before grabbing a shower, tidying up and enjoying lunch and our last pint in Ireland.
A cab driven by a Kiwi who lived a chat about any sport, particularly rugby, had us at the airport some 3 hours before takeoff.
The Ryanair on ground experience continued to befuddle us, unlike the streamlined security and customs. Jane’s new knee didn’t even set off any alarms and initiate the full body frisk which she is now starting to enjoy.
Sat around and managed to get front row seats on a packed flight.
Arrived in Malta around 930 and were soon through the arrival rigmarole and in the courtesy car heading for our accommodation in Nacaar . Sure he was an ex racing car driver for 30 minutes we were on the bumper bar of every car in front.
Arrived at Naxaar at the 3 Chapels B and B. Up three flights of stairs and across our private rooftop patio to a room that takes you back many centuries to Arabian nights with a beam and fabric ceiling , brightly coloured walls and Arabic furniture. We are about 400 metres from the Mostar Cathedral. Can’t wait to see the area in the light of day,
Just to run some salt in about our bathroom renovation it has a 3 metre square walk in shower.
