Royal Portrush Golf Club
Dunluce Course

Dunluce (named after a nearby castle)is by any measure an outstanding golf course that is well worthtravelling to Ireland's northern tip to play. It is no accident that thecourse is commonly rated the best in Ireland. Bernard Darwin wrote,"H S Colt built himself a monument more enduring than brass."The R&A were so impressed that, in 1951, they awarded Dunluce theonly British Open championship ever played outside the island ofBritain. Many believe it was the most fearsome test ever, exceeding eventhe diabolical Lytham and St. Annes. I consider it nothing short of atravesty that the course was not awarded the 2001 Open. Once again,parking and logistics are deemed more important than quality!

Three features dominate Colt's 1928design. First, the fairways put a considerable premium on drivingbecause they are far narrower than they first appear and they are seldomstraight. Second, errant drives find rough almost unequaled in tenacity.And, finally there are precious few bunkers, especially at green side.Lest one prematurely celebrate this latter fact, it should be noted thatColt compensated for bunkers by protecting most greens with deviousapproaches which can throw the ball hither and yon. Yet another unusualfeature is that the course is not immediately seaside as is its sister,the Valley, but rather lies on a raised shelf of dune left by thereceding sea. Some sections of the course rise nearly 100 feet above thebeach.

This elevation contributes to Dunluce'sbest-known hole, the 14th, dubbed "Calamity Corner". Once oneplays the hole, little question is left as to the origin of the name.The monstrous 215 yard 3 par requires a carry over a bottomlesscrevasse. Depending upon the wind, the hole is played with clubs rangingfrom mid irons to driver. Lesser-known but wonderful are several of thefour pars. The fourth, with its bunkered landing area and greensurrounded by hillocks, is commonly recognised amongst the world's best.The fifth is a lovely dogleg; the sixth and sixteenth are brutish; thetwelfth's lack of length is balanced by a fiendishly difficult, narrowgreen; and so it goes. Enjoy. Even the rather dull finishing holes of 17& 18 cannot tarnish the luster of this northern gemstone.

Although rather shorter at slightlymore than 6000 yards, the Valley course is a good test of one's game andworthy of a round.

Independent travellers The Club islocated on the A2 on the eastern edge of the village of Portrush towardsBushmills. From the car park, report to the professional's shop on theground floor of the clubhouse then walk across to the starter's stationadjacent to the first tee. Changing rooms on the ground floor. Bar andrestaurant on the upper floor. Golf shoes are prohibited in theclubhouse.