Royal Dublin

Architect: HS Colt
Restoration: Frank Pont, Mike Clayton & Hendrik Hilgert
 

First laid out in 1889, Royal Dublin was wholly redesigned by Harry Colt in 1920. The club is steeped in Irish golfing history, its professional for over 50 years being “Himself”, Christy O’Connor Snr. The course has hosted 3 Irish Opens and numerous Irish Amateur Championships.

In 2019, CDP was retained to undertake a study of the course’s architectural history with special reference to its bunkering. Military archive photography from before and after WWII allowed us to analyse Colt’s original design and assess its merits in a modern context.

Detailed recommendations were made in an effort to return the bunkers to a style more in keeping with the originals. Additionally, we suggested that their number be rationalised and their placement be less symmetrical, thus providing a more strategic design intent.

The arrival of the pandemic led to a significant delay but once restrictions had eased, members approved the plan. During the winter of 2022/23, the entire course was re-bunkered.