Northern Ireland Made for Golf - Discover Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Made for Golf - Discover Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Made for Golf - Discover Northern Ireland
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Royal Portrush <strong>Golf</strong> Club<br />
Founded in 1888, the legendary Royal Portrush <strong>Golf</strong> Club has two Championship<br />
Courses – the renowned Dunluce Course, where Darren Clarke plays while at<br />
home, and the smaller but equally enjoyable Valley Course, where Graeme<br />
McDowell, <strong>for</strong>mer US Open Champion, learnt his golf at an early age.<br />
The Dunluce Course, re-designed in 1947 by<br />
Mr H.S. Colt and later in 1951, became host to the<br />
first ever Open Championship held in <strong>Ireland</strong>.<br />
During the entire tournament only two golfers<br />
managed to break 70. It’s easy to see why; the<br />
greens are scattered among huge sand dunes<br />
gently raised above the Antrim Coast providing<br />
vistas of sea, cliffs and islands. But no matter how<br />
appealing the view, attention must be paid to your<br />
game as Portrush can challenge even the most<br />
experienced of golfers.<br />
Did You Know<br />
Portrush’s most celebrated holes are the fifth hole<br />
and the fourteenth. The par-4 fifth, White Rock is<br />
one of the most exhilarating two–shots in golf. Over<br />
hit the second shot, and your ball disappears into<br />
the Atlantic! The aptly named fourteenth hole,<br />
‘Calamity’ requires total precision to carry the ball<br />
over an enormous ravine. Mis-hit this one and you<br />
could be taking your next swing from at least fifty<br />
feet below the hole. Is it any wonder that <strong>Golf</strong> World<br />
magazine regularly rates Portrush in the world’s<br />
top twenty golf courses? Royal Portrush<br />
<strong>Golf</strong> Club<br />
Rory McIlroy holds a course record at Royal Portrush from his amateur<br />
days. He was playing in the North of <strong>Ireland</strong> Championship in July<br />
2005, playing off a + 4 handicap and shot a 61. You can see his card<br />
displayed in the Club cabinet.<br />
At a glance<br />
Type of course: Links<br />
Length of course in yards: Dunluce: 6658,<br />
Valley: 6054<br />
Par: Dunluce: 72, Valley: 70<br />
Best days <strong>for</strong> visitors to play: Dunluce: Mon from<br />
2pm; Tues & Thurs 9.40-11.50am & from 2pm; Wed &<br />
Fri 9.40-11.50am only; Sat from 3pm; Sun 10.30-11.50<br />
& from 2pm. Valley: All week. Sat & Sun from 2pm.<br />
www.royalportrushgolfclub.com<br />
Belfast<br />
Main Map Reference E2, 22<br />
Dunluce Road, Portrush, County Antrim, BT56 8JQ<br />
Tel: +44 (0) 28 7082 2311<br />
Email: info@royalportrushgolfclub.com<br />
Location: 2 miles from Portrush town towards Bushmills<br />
ACCREDITED<br />
COURSES<br />
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