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! |
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Details -Old Course: |
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Course type : |
Links |
Founded : |
1888 |
Par : |
72 |
Yards : |
6641 |
SSS : |
73 |
Designers : |
Harry S. Colt |
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Valley Links |
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Course type : |
Links |
Founded : |
1888 |
Par : |
70 |
Yards : |
6278 |
SSS : |
69 |
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Ranked No. 8 in the Top 100 courses in the British Isles 2002. |
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Local Interest
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1 mile away is Dunluce Castle built on the edge of a cliff in the 16th Century on the north Antrim coast by Richard de Burgh, Earl of Ulster.
3 miles away is the Giants Causeway.A natural wonder whose six-sided basalt columns were formed by volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago. Over 40,000 hexagonal columns, some with four, five, seven, and eight sides, create unique shapes. Some are 40 feet high and 90 feet thick.
Just up the road is Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, (swinging bridge) as it extends over an 80-foot ravine above the sea between the mainland and a small island. The bridge is accessible via a one-mile walk along a cliff path. It is in position during fishing season only (April - September).
40 miles away is the walled city of Derry |
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Description |
Ireland is home to many of the worlds favorite golf courses. From the delights of the famous such as Ballybunion to the pleasures of hidden gems waiting to be found, there is something for every golfer in Ireland... |
Golf Courses |
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