North & West Coast Links Golf Ireland
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FEATURE GETAWAY | NORTH & WEST COAST LINKS GOLF IRELAND 8 NORTH & WEST COAST LINKS GOLF IRELAND GREENS OF DREAMS WILD & TRUE For most golfers the Emerald Isle is a ‘bucket list’ destination. After all, the island of Ireland boasts some of the world’s most breathtaking and naturally beautiful golf courses. I ventured along the Wild Atlantic Way and discovered nine superb layouts that offered a thrilling and genuine Irish golfing experience. >> BY SAM GOLE Image Credit: Sam Gole. FEATURE GETAWAY | NORTH & WEST COAST LINKS GOLF IRELAND 9 BALLYLIFFIN ROYAL PORTRUSH PORTSTEWART PORTSALON CASTLEROCK DONEGAL ENNISCRONE BELFAST CARNE LOUGH ERNE DUBLIN GREENS OF DREAMS WILD & TRUE True links golf has its own unique allure. After all, its modest, natural and down-to- earth characteristics are endearing qualities. Ireland’s Northern Headlands offers a golfing journey that takes you to the edge of the world. The epic coastline, which includes the NORTH & WEST COAST spectacular Causeway Coastal Route and Video courtesy: North & West Coast the dramatic Wild Atlantic Way, is peppered Links Golf Ireland. VIDEO with stunning links courses. First stop, Royal Portrush Golf Club. Image credit: Let & Bottom right—copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Top right—Sam Gole. FEATURE GETAWAY | NORTH & WEST COAST LINKS GOLF IRELAND 10 ROYAL PORTRUSH GOLF CLUB The small seaside town of Portrush is located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland a three- hour drive from Dublin. It is home to Royal Portrush Golf Club—the only golf club outside Great Britain, which has hosted The Open Championship. Situated on a breathtaking site, the impressive 36-hole layout is set in magnificent rolling sand dunes with dazzling coastal views. From the tips, the championship Dunluce Course reaches 6,690 metres. The distinguished layout is a significant challenge that requires bold shotmaking and clever strategic play. These considerable features come into play early in the round at the second hole. Measuring 523 metres, the dogleg left par 5 has a set of three cross- bunkers, which reach into the fairway and guard a territory that ranges from 30-60 metres from the green. Longer hitters will have to decide whether or not to carry the well-placed sand traps with their second shot. One of my favourite holes on the course is the par-4, 17th. It plays 329 metres from the member’s tee. A drive with a carry of 220 metres will land on a downslope and propel the ball toward the green. A rare putt for an eagle is on offer here! Playing a round at Royal Portush is a gratifying experience. While there is challenge a plenty, the layout offers fair play rewarding good shots. And the pleasing expansive coastal views will keep you entertained. ROYAL PORTRUSH GC Video courtesy: North & West Coast Links Golf Ireland. VIDEO Image credit: North & West Coast Links Golf Ireland. FEATURE GETAWAY | NORTH & WEST COAST LINKS GOLF IRELAND 11 PORTSTEWART GOLF CLUB Just a ten-minute drive along the Causeway Coast is Portstewart Golf Club. Dating back to 1894, the club owns three 18-hole courses. The feature layout is the outstanding Strand Course, which was the host for the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open won by Jon Rahm. And after the win, the talented Spaniard gave a towering review to the course, which features many high duneland holes. ‘The golf course is amazing. It’s probably one of the most beautiful golf courses I have ever seen, if not the most.’ It’s a bold statement when considering the many beautiful courses in the world. However, after enjoying a round on the Strand Course, I can confirm there is merit to his opinion. In particular, the front nine is a masterpiece. Routed through imposing dunes, the remarkable stretch has a unique stately character. The views are magical. The fairways display great undulations and shape. Scoring well is a mighty test of golf. The first hole at Portstewart is one of golf’s finest opening tee shots. The drive is played from an elevated position down to the fairway below that bends to the right around a ridge covered in thick vegetation. The prominent tee ground offers wonderful views of Portstewart Strand Beach and the Atlantic. The par-4, 8th is another ripping hole. At 406 metres from the back tee, the lengthy two-shotter is a stern test. The tee shot must navigate a narrow strip of fairway before the hole bends sharply to the left and downhill. PORTSTEWART GC Video courtesy: North & West Coast Links Golf Ireland. VIDEO Image credit: North & West Coast Links Golf Ireland. FEATURE GETAWAY | NORTH & WEST COAST LINKS GOLF IRELAND 12 CASTLEROCK GOLF CLUB Castlerock Golf Club is a 20-minute drive from Royal Portrush and Portstewart. And like its great Irish links neighbours, the classic course is located on the stunning Causeway Coast. Castlerock was founded in 1901. Set in the rolling sand dunes and flanked by the Bann River the course enjoys views along the coast to Donegal and across the North Channel to Scotland. Its Mussenden Course, which is named after the Mussenden Temple perched on a nearby clifftop, plays 6200 metres from the championship tees. Although the layout isn’t long in modern day standards, it does present a tough contest. The par-4, 8th is rated the hardest hole on the course. It’s easy to see why. Playing a healthy 382 metres, the feature hole includes a double blind shot dogleg through a deep valley edged with towering dunes and thick gorse. The short par-4, 6th is another hole to approach with care. It is just 317 metres from the back pegs. However, the green is guarded at the front by the burn that continues to snake its way through a number of holes. A day at Castlerock is a heartwarming encounter. And, in many ways embodies the spirit of links golf in Ireland. The homely clubhouse provides a friendly and relaxed atmosphere to enjoy some of the finest Irish hospitality. The Sunday Roast is a real winner! And the stunning course with the idyllic landscape offers subtle nuances and severe CASTLEROCK GC Video courtesy: North & West Coast Links Golf Ireland. VIDEO Image credit: Castlerock Golf Club. FEATURE GETAWAY | NORTH & WEST COAST LINKS GOLF IRELAND 13 borrows, which are a feature of a layout at its natural best. Don’t miss playing a round at this beauty—it’s a real charmer! Speaking of charming, The Bushmills Inn is the perfect base when playing Royal Portrush, Portstewart and Castlerock. The delightful 4-star boutique hotel is conveniently located a 10-minute drive from Portrush in the small village of Bushmills. It is also ideally situated minutes from the world renowned Causeway Coastal Route. The popular tourist region includes an array of sightseeing wonders. If you’re up for a road trip after golf, The Giant’s Causeway, The Dunlace Castle and Carrick- a-Rede rope bridge crossing are just a short drive away. Originally a Coaching Inn in the 1600s, the restored Bushmills Inn offers stunning architecture, beautiful grounds and an award- winning restaurant. For those of you who enjoy a nip of Whiskey, you’ll love lodging in Bushmills. The village is home to The Old Bushmills Distillery—the world’s oldest whiskey distillery. Take a guided distillery tour to discover how they craft smooth tasting Irish whiskey. If you prefer staying in a more populated spot that is within putting distance of a variety of trendy restaurants and bars, check out Bishop’s Gate Hotel in Derry-Londonderry. Located within the historic city walls, the luxury hotel is a 60-minute drive to Royal Portrush. The 30-bedroom hotel oozes Edwardian elegance. The Bishop’s Gate Hotel provides access to more than 20 golf courses within an hour’s drive including the superb Ballyliffin Golf Club. Image credit: copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board. FEATURE GETAWAY | NORTH & WEST COAST LINKS GOLF IRELAND 14 BALLYLIFFIN GOLF CLUB The small village of Ballyliffin is located at the northwestern tip of Inishowen in County Donegal. Welcome to Ireland’s majestic Northern Headlands and the thrilling Wild Atlantic Way. The remote and rugged region is home to some of Europe’s highest sea cliffs. It is also home to Ballyliffin Golf Club—a 36-hole wonder and Ireland’s most northerly Golf Club. The layout consists of two courses—The Glashedy Links and The Old Links. The outstanding Glashedy Links hosted the 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open won by Russell Knox. At a whopping 6,845 metres from the tips, the Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock designed course is a lengthy examination. With clever routing using imposing dunes, the striking layout features many memorable holes. In particular, the three stunning par 3s will leave a lasting impression, each offers expansive ocean views from tee ground perched on impressive dunes. The short 7th at 156 metres lays claim as the signature hole at Glashedy Links. Its vantage point at the highest position on the layout presents panoramic views across the course, coastline and ocean. A pond guards the right hand side of the green. Played distinctly downhill and fully exposed to wind, correct club selection is crucial to find the putting surface. Make the time to head out for a round on the accompanying Old Course. Remodeled by Nick Faldo, the 6,343-metre links has a natural, old-fashioned feel. Here you can bump the ball along rippling fairways, through greenside bowls and into rising banks. Fashioning your game around The Old Links is a lot of fun. The Ballyliffin TownHouse is just minutes from the golf course.