Expert Laois Open Championship

Description

The Expert Laois Open Championship takes place May 8-10, 2026 at Abbeyleix Golf Club. This open competition welcomes individual players competing in stableford format, where points are awarded based on net score performance rather than total strokes. The three-day event offers expert-level golfers an opportunity to test their skills in a prestigious championship setting.

Abbeyleix Golf Club

County Laois, Ireland

Abbeyleix Golf Club is an 18-hole parkland course established in 1895, located in the heart of Ireland approximately one hour from Dublin. The course stretches 6,134 yards with a par of 71 across 100 acres of mature tree-lined terrain with commanding views of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. The layout features a mix of challenging par 4s, three par 5s, and four par 3s strategically positioned throughout the property. Notable holes include The Saucer, the opening par 5 with a sunken green surrounded by slopes, and the seventeenth, a long par 3 named for its Slieve Bloom vistas. The course incorporates water hazards, bunkers, out-of-bounds areas, and elevation changes that demand precise positioning off the tee and accurate approach play. The terrain undulates significantly, with elevated tees and greens creating blind shots and strategic challenges. Tree-lined fairways, spinneys, and mature woodland provide both aesthetic appeal and defensive features throughout the round. The course incorporates Rathmoyle House, a structure built circa 1760, as part of its character. Difficulty varies across holes, with several demanding par 4s and par 5s testing longer hitters while shorter par 3s and a driveable par 4 offer scoring opportunities. The course balances playability with challenge across its full length.