Royal Portrush GC- hole 5 green

Royal Portrush GC - hole 5 green

History

The Royal Portrush Golf Club originated in 1888, and became 'Royal' in 1895.

Originally a 9 hole course in 1888, it became an 18 hole course in 1889. 

In 1929 Harry Colt laid out the Dunluce Links that we know today. His design has been adapted over the years as the 1st and 18 holes were lost and a new 10th & 11th hole were designed to replace them in the altered routing- these were created by club pro P.G. Stevenson and Sir Anthony Babbington.

More recently in preparation for the historic return of the Open Championship in 2019, 'Open Doctors' McKenzie Ebert were employed to ready the course for it's re entry into the Open Rota. The changes they have made incorporated using land formally used by the Valley Course- the second course at Portrush.

Championships

Royal Portrush is famous for holding the 1951 Open Championship won by Max Faulkner- the first and only time the Open has been played outside mainland U.K.

With Senior Opens, Irish Opens, and amateur events Portrush has hosted over 50 national championships...

It is after all, the ultimate championship course

 

Course

 

 

The Dunluce Course at Portrush has long been known as a stern test of golf, and a championship links of the highest calibre. In preparation for the 2019 Open Championship, the changes made have elevated the course to the top echelons of Open Championship courses. Closing holes 17 & 18 have been eliminated from the routing and two brand new holes ( 7 & 8 ) have been inserted employing land from the adjoining Valley course as well as unused land. Whilst the former holes were weaker because of the flatter terrain they traversed, the new holes are quite dramatic as they journey through the ups and downs of some wild dunes. On it's own this is a big improvement, but there is more upside with bunkers being added here and there to strengthen holes, a few new greens and the lengthening of a few holes. The new Portrush is longer, stronger, more dramatic, more visual, and an even sterner test of golf. 

 

Notable holes include:

 

-The long par 4 fourth hole with OOB along the right boundary, and a wonderful green setting protected and surrounded by dunes

Royal Portrush GC- Dunluce Course- hole 4Royal Portrush GC- Dunluce Course- hole 4

- the short par 4 fifth hole ( named White Rocks ) with green set on the beach, and sea backdrop and a testing tee shot- do you carry the dogleg to the fairway below, or play safe to the left?

 

- the mid length par 3 sixth hole- a typical Harry Colt par 3 with tabletop green

Royal Portrush GC- Dunluce Course- hole 6Royal Portrush GC- Dunluce Course- hole 6

- the new par 5 seventh hole winding through some wild dunes terrain to a green set in the dunes

Royal Portrush GC- Dunluce Course- hole 7Royal Portrush GC- Dunluce Course- hole 7

- the new par 4 eighth green with fairway rising and arcing away to the left- the tee shot must be brave and accurate to hit the fairway and the longish approach is no bargain either...

Royal Portrush GC- Dunluce Course- hole 8Royal Portrush GC- Dunluce Course- hole 8

- the short par 4 tenth hole, a sharp dogleg right with a semi blind tee shot and a new 'Harry Colt' green set in low dunes

Royal Portrush GC- Dunluce Course- hole 10Royal Portrush GC- Dunluce Course- hole 10

- the classic longish par 3 'Calamity' with tee shot over a chasm

 

The Dunluce course at Royal Portrush is one of the most impressive courses on the Open Rota- and therefore one of the best links courses in the world.

We rate it a 'Travelling Golfer must play'

 

Golf Tours

The Travelling Golfer can tailor a golf trip to Ireland to suit your group. For itinerary suggestions please see Destinations: The Best of Ireland



Enquiries

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Course