Some eco-warriors remain camped in the woods, their banners reminding those travelling the N11 that the proposed motorway route through the Glen of the Downs is still a contentious issue. And, indeed, as you pull off the national roadway and make the gentle incline up towards the golf club that has adopted this beautiful part of Co Wicklow as its own moniker, the breath is taken away, not by any physical exertion but by the growing expectation of what awaits.

Michael Doyle doesn't need anyone to tell him about the charms of the surrounding countryside. For three generations, his family have farmed this area which is dominated by the towering Sugarloaf mountain. "It was a very natural site for a golf course," he remarks, explaining how it was that a man with an agricultural background decided to transform his land into a golfers' playground.

Ironically, Doyle wasn't a keen golfer when the idea first surfaced in his mind some eight years ago. "I played a bit in Delgany as a teenager but, to be honest, I was more into football, both Gaelic and soccer, and thought golf was a sissies game. Now, I regret that I didn't play more when I was younger." The bug has obviously bitten.

Quite understandably, Doyle can take considerable satisfaction in what has been achieved. Glen of the Downs Golf Club certainly augments the golfing terrain of this part of north Wicklow which includes illustrious neighbours Druids Glen and Powerscourt along with traditional clubs like Delgany and Greystones. However, it was the development of Charlesland, yet another nearby course, which first made Doyle consider developing a golf course on his land and he travelled all over the country assessing new developments to get a flavour of what he would like to see materialise on his own land.

"I remember getting the late Eddie Hackett up to have a look," recalls Doyle, but eventually Doyle decided to go with the Sporting Concepts team of Peter McEvoy, the current Walker Cup captain, and Carlow-based Paddy Governey, who had been involved with Powerscourt. Strangely enough, the success of Powerscourt actually put a doubt in Doyle's mind about whether he should proceed with the project. "I wondered if there was room in the area for another quality facility," he says, "but Paddy (Governey) assured me there was". Such affirmation was borne out. When membership was initially offered off the plans to the public, those with crystal balls bought in at £2,500. It quickly rose to £3,000, then £4,000, and currently stands at £12,000. "I never thought I'd see that day," admits Doyle. However, the end product - as well as its location - is a major reason for the spiralling membership cost. And since opening for play in May the general consensus is that the designers have succeeded admirably in their task.

"It has exceeded all my hopes and expectations," states Doyle. Not that there weren't problems along the way. "It was pretty much stop-start for a time," admits Governey, of the planning problems that forced them to alter the lay-out. Initially, two holes were planned for the north side of the road but this was ruled out by the authorities. The irony is that Doyle, and most of those in from the start, now accept that it has probably worked out better.

Although McEvoy's fondness for undulating greens is much in evidence, one of the most striking features of the course (which is set in 132 acres and measures almost 6,500 yards off the back stakes) is actually the lack of trees. "If we had put in too many trees, then we would have spoiled the views," explains Governey.

And he is right. Indeed, the expert shaping of the course - with limited, but exciting, use of water and marshes - gives Glen of the Downs a unique character, quite different from other McEvoy designs in the county. The views on the outward journey comprise mountains and the Irish Sea, but it is the back nine which is quite spectacular, with the Sugarloaf omnipresent.

"The ambience is fantastic," admits Governey, but the condition of the course is also remarkably good for one which only opened in May. Here, the club's directors have been particularly protective. Instead of opening, as originally intended, last autumn, it was decided to wait until this summer to, according to Doyle, "give it every chance", while Governey insists the use of only softspikes was "absolutely essential," and he admits the success that nearby Woodbrook had with their new greens after adopting a similar spikeless policy proved an influential factor. Also, paying green fees weren't allowed until mid-July.

Part of the reason for this is that the club has attracted 570 members and, as seems to be the case with most new clubs, they are determined to use the course regularly.

While the addition of a clubhouse is still in the planning stages, the course itself has been constructed to the highest specifications. Before a sod was turned, McEvoy explained that it would "be built to provide golfing conditions and aesthetics to delight . . . and the natural valleys, the gorse, the rock outcrops and, perhaps, most outstandingly, the views, make this site a designer's dream."

During construction, earth moving was kept to a minimum. The greens feature providence creeping bent (built to USGA specifications) and are protected by some 90 bunkers.

The course is not ridiculously long, measuring 6,443 yards off the back stakes and 5,751 off the forward markers. It is, indeed, a very enjoyable test. The undulating terrain - especially one or two of the climbs to elevated teeboxes - will leave you momentarily caught for breath, but, again, the views are worth the effort.

The start is demanding enough. The first is a par four dog-leg to the right measuring 416 yards off the back and demands a good drive, while the second is another par four dog-leg also necessitating a good drive and approach.

Among the features on the course is a raised double green which is shared by the seventh and ninth holes. Yet, sandwiched in between, is a quite lovely par five - the eighth - which measures 500 yards off the back and, although index 15, it will bring its fair share of heartbreak as well as delight.

Aesthetically, the back nine is quite superb, yet the holes have their individual characteristics. For instance, the longest par four on this stretch is the 16th (another dog-leg right which demands a precise drive) measuring 405 yards, yet the 11th, which features a spectacular drop down to the fairway, measures just 338 yards but, because of the height of the tee-box, long hitters will fancy their chances of making the green, and the 17th is even shorter, at 291 yards.

However, the real jewels in the crown are the par threes. "I'd have no hesitation in saying that I think this is the best set of par threes we have ever created, either here in Ireland or overseas," says McEvoy, and Governey concurs that he "loves the par threes myself". Personally, I thought the 15th - which has a spectacular backdrop - was quite magnificent, playing from a high, elevated tee-box to a large green below which has the optical illusion of appearing very narrow.

Indeed, it is a measure of the influence of the par threes (there are five of them) that the finishing hole is also a short one, measuring 181 yards off the back stakes but to a heavily protected green. And God forbid you finish in the back bunker, where you would need the recovery powers of Seve or Jose-Maria, or perhaps McEvoy himself. A worthy and enjoyable test of golf, and a fitting addition to the string of fine courses in north Wicklow.