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Golf Courses
Golf Courses on the North Coast
Royal Portrush
Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy, and Padraig Harrington are just some of the major contributors to a new book about Royal Portrush Golf Club. HISTORY MADE, HISTORY IN THE MAKING, tells the remarkable story of this sporting institution on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, starting with the club’s formation more than 130-years ago, and culminating in Shane Lowry’s heroics at the 2019 Open Championship.
A history book with a difference, this is no mere chronicling of facts and figures. Utilizing meticulous research, interviews, and anecdotes author Roger Anderson weaves a narrative that is both informative and entertaining, the result an extensive coffee-table style publication – with foreword by amateur golfing great and former Chief Executive of the R&A Sir Michael Bonallack – that has 480 pages, 107,727 words, and 731 stunning images.
‘When the idea for this book was first suggested back in September 2017, the club’s Council had no hesitation in supporting what was undoubtedly an ambitious project,’ said Royal Portrush President Sir Richard McLaughlin. ‘With the impending return of the Claret Jug, we all felt this was the perfect time to re-trace the incredible journey that led to Royal Portrush staging the 148th Open Championship.’
Manor Golf Club Kilrea
The 9 hole golf course at Manor Golf Club, Kilrea was opened for play in 1991 and was affiliated to the G.U.I towards the end of 1994 during the late Eric McMasters' first year as Captain. His untiring and dedicated work which led to affiliation was recognised by the committee and members by proposing him to continue as Captain for a 2nd year. Indeed he is remembered in perpetuity by the Golfer of the Year being awarded the Eric McMaster trophy.
The 18 holes (9x2) measures 4174 yards long, has a par of 64, and SSS of 60. It is among the group of shorter courses in Ireland but makes up for it with tight fairways, some tricky sloping greens and astutely placed bunkers, trees, and a small lake on the 6th hole.
There are club competitions both major and minor held throughout the year. The club participates in several inter-club competitions such as the Ulster Cup, the Ulster Fourball, and the Pierce Purcell. The most important date in the year; Captains Day, usually takes place during the month of August.
Rathmore Golf Club
To begin, it is known that a golf club was in existence many years before it evolved in what became known officially as Rathmore Golf Club. A book has been published to explain the outset and the rise of the club from it’s humble beginnings to what it is now, the book is called “THE PRIVILEGED PLAYERS, The Story of Rathmore Golf Club…so far“, and is available at Rathmore Golf Club.The Privileged Players or Town Players were for the most part, non-professional men who lived within the town boundaries, and while Privileged Player status was open to any male resident of the town, this was subject of course to the approval from Royal Portrush Golf Club, a substantial portion of these appeared to have come from the harbour area of the town, also known as Ramore.The name Ramore is a contraction of the old Irish name Rath (meaning fort) and Mor (meaning big), with the well known local fact that a well established large fort was at the harbour end in the 16th century, so it seems almost appropriate that Rathmore Golf Club should be so named.First mention of formation of “Rathmore Golf Club”, comes from the Royal Portrush Council meeting minutes in October 1947, when Rathmore Golf Club was granted permission to apply for affiliation to the Golfing Union of Ireland, and one month later after submitting the rules of the club to Royal Portrush Council for ratification, this was duly granted and Rathmore was then officially formed. In 1953 work was well under way to build a clubhouse, which was opened by Lady Babington in the same year, and the club has had several extensions to date to enlarge the facilities, as the membership increases.
Portstewart Golf Course
A very warm welcome to Portstewart Golf Club, founded in 1894 and home to three fine true links golf courses. Few clubs in the British Isles or Ireland can claim to have three courses under their name.
The outstanding Championship Strand Course was the host for the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Jon Rahm, the 2017 Winner was certainly impressed, “the golf course is amazing. It’s probably one of the most beautiful golf courses I have ever seen, if not the most”.
We pride ourselves on being a Club for all; for members and visitors and for beginners to the world’s finest golfers. From the 1st tee to the 19th hole, all our Staff will endeavour to make your day one that you will remember for a very long time.
Castlerock Golf Club, is a classic links course set amid towering dunes. Situated on the Causeway coast and only a 20 minute drive from both Royal Portrush Golf Club and Portstewart Golf Club, Castlerock is a more than worthy neighbour to both of these great Irish links.
Founded in April 1901, the original course comprised nine holes and was laid out on the western part of the present course. Additional land was leased in 1908 and Ben Sayers, the professional from North Berwick in Scotland, was commissioned to design an eighteen hole layout. Though better known as a club maker, Sayers produced a superb layout and insisted that the links of Castlerock would equal those at Troon, North Berwick and Sandwich. Though not officially recorded, it is known that Harry Colt, while spending much time in Ireland with his work at Royal Portrush, was consulted regarding the redesign of the Castlerock links around 1930. Today, Castlerock is rated as one of Ireland’s finest links courses and its status in the game is reflected by the fact that it has hosted many National Championships both Amateur and Professional.
Bushfoot Golf Course
Bushfoot
Bushfoot Golf Club came into existence 125 years ago in 1890 although it is probable that people played on the links prior to that date. Since then the Club has grown in area, its membership has increased and its general development and ethos have mirrored the times in which it has existed. The original course occupied the area bounded by the River Bush, the Causeway Tramline and the right of way lane running from behind the ladies 10th tee to the back of the 7th green. The course area was subsequently increased by the acquisition of Curries field (the pitch and putt course approximately) and later by the ground to the east of the tramline. The Club has progressed from tenancy to ownership of the land. Clubhouses have changed from a removable wooden shelter (key 1/- to members) located to the side of the 7th green through a series of buildings to our present structure with its multiple functions (key £15.00 to members).
The membership of the Club has grown; it had 14 members in 1890 compared to the present membership of around 860. The cost of membership has also changed from 10/- in 1890 to over £230 in 2001. The amenities available at the two years just stated do not stand up to comparison. The first paid staff in the Club was a greenkeeper — just that and he was paid by the day to cut greens only. Sheep were responsible for clipping the fairways. Today we depend on numerous employees with modern technology to maintain the course and the functions of a modern golf club.
While the Club has had captains since 1890 the emergence of other premier office bearers has reflected the increasing strength of the Club over the years. The first president was appointed in 1934. The Ladies branch elected its first captain in the same year. The post of lady president was created in 1990. Bushfoot has provided golf for over 100 years in surroundings which are as pleasant as any in the country. It has provided challenges as well as enjoyment to a wide spectrum of people over the years. The hope is that it continues to give pleasure to all its members and visitors in the future.
Ballycastle Golf Club
The course is a unique golfing challenge in that it covers both parkland and links holes. The first five holes are parkland in nature, flanked by the Rivers Margy and Carey with various trees and natural hills as the main landscape. The 12th century Bon-a-Margy abbey ruins provides an historical out of bounds.
From hole six onwards you are presented with some outstanding links golf holes running alongside the strand and between gorse and sand dunes encompassing impressive views of the famous North Antrim Coastline, Scotland and the hills of Donegal.
Tee Time Restrictions
Monday to Thursday – no restrictions
Friday – available from 11.00am
Saturday – available from 1.00pm & Sunday from 11.00am
Advanced booking recommended for tee times May to September.
Contact: Golf Professional: (028) 207-62506 or Office: (028) 207-62536
Ballyreagh Golf Course
Ballyreagh Golf Club is one of the luckiest golf clubs in the world in that its course takes its place on the much-admired Causeway Coast. The course basks in the lovely setting of the Portrush seaside and, as such, is one of the most beautiful in the North. It is a municipal links with views of the dramatic coastline from a large percentage of the holes.
Memorable features include the odd tee shot across a yawning ravine; get it wrong and you're in big, big trouble. Regardless of how you perform, you are assured that your round will be one of a most exhilarating and memorable you will ever have played.
+44 (0)28 7082 2028
Kilrea Golf Course
Kilrea Golf Club was founded in 1919, and is situated a half mile to the south west of the town. Click here for directions.
The original undulating inland course, is one of the driest to be found. Recent extensions to the course, whilst reclaimed from bogland, are also well drained, and the course is often open when others have succumbed to the Irish climate.
Extended in recent years to 5672 yards long, it is longer than the typical 9-hole course. Despite the extra length, accuracy is still required off the tee to give a fighting chance of par at most holes. Generally, the course has tight fairways and small greens.
Club History
Kilrea Golf Club was officially opened for play in November 1919. The honour of striking the first ball fell to Mr James Patterson, a native of the town who had recently returned from Australia. Described in the local press as “an influential gentleman of means”, Mr Patterson was deemed to have the necessary credentials to become the club’s first President.
The task of laying out the initial nine holes was undertaken by H McNeill, the professional at Royal Portrush, and he was subsequently re-engaged to make improvements to the course. The start-up costs for the new club were expected to be £250 , a considerable sum in 1919, and initial membership subscriptions were fixed at one guinea and added to the one guinea entrance fee. Much of the funding, however, came from the issue of “Founders Shares” which were fixed at £5 and it was from this group of “Founder Members” that the first ten man Council was drawn. Much of the interest, and indeed the money, came from the local dignitaries, with the Clarks of Upperlands very prominent. In these formative years the Council was very successful in persuading a number of these individuals to donate very fine silver cups, many of which are still played for today.
One of the early driving forces was W W Woods and, following a meeting in the Town Hall on 15th September 1919 when the decision was taken to form a club, he was elected as the first Captain of Kilrea Golf Club. Mr Woods had undertaken much of the spade work in securing suitable land at The Rough Hills which many observers (past and present) have considered ideal golfing terrain. Indeed, at the clubs official opening Rev. Father P McGeown, another driving force and one of the “Founder Members”, had made a reference to both “the beauty of the surroundings” and “the dry nature of the soil” which rendered it very suitable for golf. In his address Father McGeown also expressed his belief that Kilrea Golf Club would become a place where ” all classes and all shades of opinion” could meet and ” get to know each other better… for on the golf links the only expression of anger or opinion would be addressed to the clubs or the ball. ”
