Royal Portrush

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!