Royal
Portrush Golf Club is steeped in history. It is overlooked by
Dunluce Castle, a thirteenth century Norman ruin hanging on
the cliff edge of this magnificent coast. Part of it fell in
to the sea in 1693.
Royal
Portrush Golf Club, originally named County Antrim G.C., was
founded in 1888 but it wasn’t until 1895 that the club
became Royal with King Edward VII as patron. Royal Portrush
is famous not only for its magnificent links but also for the
fact that it is the only course in Ireland to host The Open
in 1951. Max Faulkner was the winner that week with only two
rounds under 70 recorded by the entire field. Fred Daly, Ireland's
only winner of the Open at Hoylake 1947, honed his skills on
the fine turf of Royal Portrush. Mr. Daly’s Open medal
is on display in the beautiful clubhouse, be sure to have a
look when next you are there. Darren Clark grew up not too far
from here and considers this links to be the best course he
has ever played and it's hard to argue with him!
Royal
Portrush Golf Club offers the famous Dunluce Course and the
Valley Course laid out in the historic War Hollow. It is situated
in close proximity to other great links courses such as Portstewart
and Castlerock.
Royal Portrush’s original designer Harry
Colt has other architectural designs to his credit that you
may wish to indulge in. These being Wentworth, Rye, Sunningdale,
Trevose, Stoke Poges, Formby, New and Eden courses at St. Andrews.
With
beautiful views of Donegal to the West and Scotland to the North,
take in the views but don’t let it be to the detriment
of your score for this course demands your utmost respect.
The first Professional golf tournaments in Ireland
are very much linked to Royal Portrush. In 1890 the first recorded
professional golf match took place between Alexander Day ( professional
at the Royal Belfast Golf Club ) and Sandy Herd ( the first
professional at the County Club, Portrush ). The match was played
as a 36 hole competition with 18 holes being played at the County
Club, Portrush and 18 holes at Holywood Golf Club. The match
was won at both courses by Sandy Herd who shot scores of 72
at the County Club and 83 at Holywood Golf Club, County Down,
compared to Day’s 82 and 94 respectively.
In 1895 the first formal matchplay event was
held at Royal Portrush and again won by Sandy Herd. Sandy went
on to win the Open Championship when it was held at Hoylake,
Royal Liverpool in 1902 beating Vardon and Braid by one shot.
It is unclear of who first mooted the idea with
regards to the formation of the Golfing Union of Ireland, however
one thing is very clear, this being the foresight of William
H Mann, the club Captain of Royal Portrush who saw that the
development of golf in Ireland would not progress unless there
was an organisation set up to aid its progress.
Note
: When passing the half way hut to the 10th tee the flag flying
signifies that a wee drop of the hard stuff is available inside
to strengthen your resolve through to the 19th hole. Sure it
would be rude not to!
