Opened in October 1984, Tralee Golf Course was the first European golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. When he first saw the area upon which his company was to build Tralee golf links, he was ecstatic about the possibilities. "I have never come across a piece of land so ideally suited for the building of a golf course" he said.
"I designed the first nine but surely God designed the back nine", Palmer explained. "I am happy that we have one of the worlds' great golf links here."
"The setting is quite the most magnificent backdrop for a golf course that I have ever encountered", wrote Peter Dobereiner, the famous golf writer, not long after the course was opened.
While it always boasted a magnificent setting, with the course settling down and the greens thriving over time, Tralee has now joined the elite group of Irish links.
With views of the Atlantic and white sandy beaches from almost every hole, Tralee earns rave reviews from all who play it. There are some great holes on the course, notably the second, which runs along the clifftops, and the third, which has been likened to the famous seventh hole at Pebble Beach.