Golf was first played on Fota Island in 1886, according to early documents, but the club was not established until 1993. The course was designed by former british amateur champion Peter McEvoy and Irish Ryder Cup winner Christy O'Connor. In 1998, Canadian architect Jeff Howes stiffened Fota Island to European Tour requirements in preparation for the first Murphy's Irish Open, which was won by Colin Montgomerie. In 2002, the Irish Open returned to Fota Island, and Soren Hansen triumphed in a dramatic four-way playoff.

The special par five 10th hole on Fota Island is our favorite, as it passes through trees before turning sharply left, leaving an entrance to a lakeside green. The 18th is both a fun ending and a possible card-wrecker. Water is there, like it is on The Belfry's 18th, but it's the multi-tiered green that can cause all kinds of issues – nothing is worse than winding up in potential four-putt terrain.