At numerous destinations for golf around the globe, a course like Castlerock might find itself as the headliner of an itinerary. But in Northern Ireland, where the neighbors consist of the current #1 ranked course on the globe (Royal County Down), the host of the 2019 Open Championship (Royal Portrush), and two courses with show-stopping front-9s (Portstewart & Ardglass), that headliner could find itself in the role of understudy. Such is the case at Castlerock.

Founded in 1901, Ben Sayers designed the original links at Castlerock. In addition to a successful career as a ball and club maker, Sayers left his mark on numerous courses across Great Britain & Ireland. Most notably along Scotland’s Golf Coast, where almost every course was touched in one form or another by the North Berwick professional. To this day, the golf shop for the West Links is located in his former club factory.

On the Tee with H&B visits Castlerock Golf Club
The Sayers layout served the club well until 1925, when the great Harry Colt put in place the course which mostly played today. Some might say the course is an interesting blend of Irish links with those found on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland. That distinction comes courtesy of a pair of holes on the front-9 pressed hard against the bordering railway line. The 4th is a particularly fearsome test, with the railway and a meandering burn guarding each side of the 200 yard par-3.

Speaking of the sneaky little burn, pay careful attention on the short par-4 6th hole. The burn winds its way rather stealthily along the front of the green, ready to snap up the unsuspecting approach. From there the course moves closer to the sea, to more interesting ground and a collection of solid holes. The 16th and 17th form a rather dynamic duo, the former being a delightful par-3, the latter a cracker of a par-5 as good as any in Ireland. From the tee of the 17th, the links at Portstewart may just come into view in the distance, but the idea of trading positions is unlikely to enter the mind.

If Castlerock were located almost anywhere else in the world, it would likely receive its deserved share of acclaim. On the other hand, a benefit to having such illustrious neighbors is a constant supply of roaming golfers just waiting to be pleasantly surprised. Whether Castlerock has a prominent place in the itinerary or is merely a warmup round fresh off the plane, chances are that’s exactly how you’ll feel.

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For more insight on planning your golf trip to Ireland, visit the links below, read our Ireland golf trip reviews, or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.

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