The European Club, located in Brittas Bay, County Wicklow, Ireland, is a world-renowned links golf course that stands as a testament to the vision, passion, and relentless dedication of its creator, Pat Ruddy. Its history is inseparable from Ruddy’s own journey, a man whose life has been shaped by an insatiable love for golf, from his early days as a player and writer to his emergence as one of Ireland’s most celebrated golf course architects.
Early Inspirations and Ruddy’s Beginnings
Pat Ruddy was born in 1945 in Ballina, County Mayo, but grew up in the small town of Ballymote, County Sligo, where his father, Martin “Sid” Ruddy, ran the local post office. Golf was a family affair, with his father’s passion for the game sparking Ruddy’s interest at a young age. As a boy, Ruddy would hitch rides on tractors to play at a modest nine-hole course in South Sligo, and later honed his skills at County Sligo Golf Club (Rosses Point), a course redesigned by the legendary Harry Colt. Even as a schoolboy, Ruddy sketched holes of Rosses Point, planting the seeds of his future as a course designer.
Ruddy’s fascination with golf extended beyond playing. His father’s subscription to The Sunday Times introduced him to the evocative writings of Henry Longhurst, whose vivid descriptions of far-flung golf courses captivated young Pat. He once remarked, “Some people read the Bible, but we read Longhurst,” highlighting how these stories fueled his imagination. By his teens, Ruddy was not only a competitive amateur golfer but also consumed by golf literature, including Henry Cotton’s Golfing Album, which further deepened his interest in course architecture. His early exposure to the game’s history and design set the stage for a lifelong obsession.
In the 1960s, Ruddy transitioned from player to golf journalist, becoming Ireland’s first full-time golf writer. He wrote for The Evening Herald and contributed to golf magazines worldwide, building an encyclopedic knowledge of the game. His work as a writer and publisher, including editing golf magazines, gave him a unique perspective on what made courses great. Yet, Ruddy’s ambition went beyond chronicling golf—he dreamed of creating a course of his own, inspired by American golfers Jimmy Demaret and Jack Burke, who founded The Champions Club in Texas in 1958. The idea of owning and shaping a golf course became Ruddy’s driving force.
The Genesis of The European Club
By the mid-1980s, Ruddy was ready to turn his dream into reality. Determined to find the perfect piece of land for a world-class links course, he took to the skies, scouring Ireland’s coastline by helicopter. His search led him to Brittas Bay, a stunning stretch of dunes along the Irish Sea, just 30 miles south of Dublin in County Wicklow, known as the “Garden of Ireland.” The site’s dramatic landscape—towering sand dunes, marshlands, and sweeping sea views—captivated him. Ruddy purchased the 193-acre property, a bold move for a man with no formal training in course architecture, driven purely by passion and vision.
Construction of The European Club began in 1987, with Ruddy designing the course and also overseeing its development with his family, including his wife, Bernadine, and their children, Patrick, Gerry, and Sidon. Unlike many modern courses built with commercial backing, The European Club was a deeply personal project. Ruddy’s goal was to create a links course that honored the traditions of the game while challenging modern players with contemporary equipment. He drew on his extensive knowledge of classic links courses, ensuring the layout avoided blind shots and emphasized strategic shot-making, with fast-running fairways and greens designed for punch-and-run play.
The course opened for play in 1992, though it was officially affiliated with the Golfing Union of Ireland in 1989 and fully opened in 1993. Spanning 7,490 yards from the back tees with a par of 71, The European Club was one of the longest links courses of its time, featuring 20 holes rather than the traditional 18. The additional par-3 holes (7A and 12A) were included to allow flexibility for maintenance while ensuring a full round, a nod to Ruddy’s practical yet innovative approach. The course’s bunkers, lined with railway sleepers, became an iconic feature, evoking Ireland’s golfing history when railways donated sleepers to clubs. These sleepers not only defined fairways but also offered a forgiving alternative to steep-lipped bunkers, making the course accessible yet challenging for golfers of all levels.
Ruddy’s Vision and The European Club’s Rise
The European Club quickly earned acclaim as one of Ireland’s premier links courses, consistently ranking in the world’s top 100 by publications like Golf Magazine USA, Golf World UK, and Golf Monthly. Its rugged beauty, with views of the Irish Sea from nearly every hole and the Wicklow Mountains in the distance, combined with its cerebral design, drew praise from golfing greats like Tiger Woods (who holds the course record of 67), Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington, Shane Lowry, Jordan Spieth, and Gary Player. McIlroy famously called it “probably the best links course I have ever played,” ranking it above storied venues like Royal St. George’s and Royal Portrush.
Ruddy’s hands-on approach set The European Club apart. Unlike many architects who move on after designing a course, Ruddy made it his life’s work, living above the pro shop and continually refining the layout to keep it relevant. He described the course as a “work of art,” arguing that golf courses, like paintings or sculptures, should be preserved for their intrinsic value rather than commercialized with hotels or housing. His commitment to maintaining a small membership (around 85 members) ensured uncrowded play, prioritizing the purity of the golfing experience over profit.
The course’s standout features include the 127-yard-long 12th green, the longest in the world, and the par-4 7th, recognized as one of the top 100 holes globally. Five holes hug the coastline so closely that golfers occasionally retrieve balls from the beach, adding a thrilling dimension to the links experience. Ruddy’s design philosophy, influenced by architects like Alister MacKenzie, emphasized strategic golf, with no blind shots and a layout that rewards thoughtful play over brute force.
Ruddy’s Broader Impact and Challenges
While The European Club became his magnum opus, Ruddy’s influence extended to other acclaimed courses, including Druids Glen, Druids Heath, Ballyliffin’s Glashedy Course, Rosapenna’s Sandy Hills, and Portsalon. His early design work began in 1969 with a modest project at Castlecomer Golf Club, where he redesigned a nine-hole course for a nominal fee, proving his talent despite lacking formal credentials. Collaborations with architects like Tom Craddock and Henry Cotton further honed his skills, though his partnership with Cotton yielded limited success.
The European Club faced challenges, including financial pressures and takeover speculation. In 2005, Ruddy denied rumors of a €55 million sale to businessman Dermot Desmond, and in 2008, he turned down a substantial offer, likening himself to the “Cookie Monster” choosing passion over profit. Despite these pressures, Ruddy and his family kept the club independent, maintaining its ethos as a golfer’s paradise free from the trappings of resorts or real estate developments.
The Sale and Legacy
In 2024, Ruddy, now in his ninth decade, listed The European Club for sale with Sotheby’s International for €35m, signaling his retirement. The decision was bittersweet, as Ruddy reflected on his lifelong dream inspired by Demaret and Burke. He expressed mixed emotions, noting, “I never dreamed I’d become Irish golf’s leading money winner,” but hoped the new owner would treat the course as a work of art rather than a commercial venture. Rathangan based businessmen Raymond and Nicky Conlan, who bought the course, are dedicated golf enthusiasts. Raymond is a member of the K Club and was resident there for a time.
The European Club remains a monument to Pat Ruddy’s vision—a links course that blends natural beauty, strategic depth, and historical reverence. From a young boy sketching holes in Sligo to a celebrated architect shaping Ireland’s golfing landscape, Ruddy’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to the game. The European Club, with its dramatic dunes, railway sleeper bunkers, and seaside splendor, stands as his enduring legacy, a course that continues to captivate golfers worldwide.
