36 Hole Parkland
Course Facts: Address
Dunluce Road
Portrush
Co Antrim BT56 8JQSecretary/Manager: Wilma Erskine Captain: Dr. M. Patterson Lady Captain: F. J. Trufelli Telephone: 028-70-822311 President: H. S. E. Catherwood Public No: 028-70-823354 Vice-Captain: H. S. E. Catherwood Fax: 028-70-823139 Hon. Secretary: Dr. T. P. Turner E-mail: info@royalportrushgolfclub.com Club Pro: Gary McNeill 048-70-822311 Website: www.royalportrushgolfclub.com Hon. Treasurer: F. T. B. Fulton Founded: 1881 Designed by: Harry S. Colt Membership: 1013 Course opening hours: Daylight hours Green Fees Midweek: £105 Clubhouse opening hours: 10.00am to 10.00pm Green Fees Weekends & B.H.: £120 Mobile phones: Not on course or in clubhouse Green Fees With a Member: £15 Dress Code: Neat casual, no denim Green Fees For Opens: £15 Catering: Full catering facilities Practice Area: Yes Days to Avoid: Wednesdays, Fridays pm & Saturdays Club Hire: Yes Green Fees and Societies Welcome: Other days Buggy Hire: No Pre-booking for open tournaments: 21 Days in advance Soft spikes: No
Course Description:
Founded in 1888 as the County Club, within four years royal patronage was bestowed on it by the Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VII, the club changed its name to Royal Portrush Golf Club in 1895.The magic of Royal Portrush has been savoured by most of the world’s great players. The legendry Tommy Armour played in the Irish Open Championship here in 1919 when he was runner-up to C. Bretherton of Handsworth Golf Club.
Royal Portrush has two courses the Championship Dunluce Course over which the North of Ireland Open Championship is played. Measuring 6,719 yd's is a Par 73 and a standard scratch of 73 off the back tees. The Valley Course at 6,273 yd's Par 70 with a standard scratch of 71 off the white tees. Both courses were, designed by the eminent architect Harry Colt, in 1932. Colt indicated that the project would cast £7,000 but he would prefer a budget of £10,000 as things worked out the redesign was carried out for as little as £3,200 and opened for play at Easter 1933.
Royal Portrush has the distinction of being the only course outside England and Scotland to host The Open in 1951 when Max Faulkner captured the Championship.
Christy O’Connor "Himself" described it as Ireland’s best second-shot course, yet Royal Portrush possess, one of the toughest one-shot holes to be found anywhere. The 14th named "Calamity" is 213 yd's off the back tee has tested the nerves of the world’s best golfers.
Royal Portrush has become the venue of the British Senior Open over the past few years and it was here that Christy O’Connor Junior became the first Irish winner of the Championship in 1999.
As expected, Royal Portrush has a magnificent Clubhouse where a warm welcome is extended to visitors from home and oversees every day.
Voted the No. 9-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Golf Digest Ireland” in 2008.
Royal Portrush's Dunluce Course was voted No. 3 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2008, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland.
Open & Major fixtures 2008: Event
Start
Finish
Type
Duration
No fixtures until 2009.
Club History
Instituted 1888 affiliated 1891.Col. J. M. McCalmont M. P. and Mr. J. S. Alexandar are credited with the foundation of golf at Royal Portrush. "The Field," on the 19th of May, 1888, carries the following report "A club under the name "The County Club" has been very successfully started in County Antrim, Ireland. A ground has been laid out close to the railway station at Portrush, well known by tourists visiting the Giants Causeway. The course is a remarkably good one of nine-holes"
Old Tom Morris visited the club in July 1889. "The Field" on the 20th of July that year reported “Portrush had the benefit of Tom’s presence on Thursday and Friday. The green there could hardly be surpassed for its size. Every hole has its accompanying hazard. The greens there were considered by Morris as already being well-laid-out and the alterations he suggested referred principally to the changing of the teeing ground so as to elongate several of the holes"
The course at that time was closer to the town and soon after Tom Morris’s visit, had extended to eighteen-holes, measuring four miles and had 200 members, with a comfortable clubhouse.
Royal Portrush always had a global vision, as to its place in the world of golf, which can be seen by Mr. J. S. Alexander, D. L., presenting a magnificent challenge cup in 1889 open to all Irish Clubs. Mr. W. H. Mann was in the chair when the GUI was founded on 13th November 1891, in Belfast.
In 1892, the club received the Royal title and changed its name to Royal Portrush in 1895. By this time, there was a very b Ladies Club at Royal Portrush and by 1894 they had their own course and clubhouse and as early as 1895 the Ladies British Championship was held here. Two of the Lady members, Miss Mary Hazlet (1899, 1902 and 1907), won the Ladies British Amateur Open Championship, and Miss Rhona Adair in 1900 and 1903.
Between 1929 and 1932, the club moved further to the east where there were large sand hills and higher ground. H. S. Colt redesigned the Dunluce Course and the status of the course was confirmed when Royal Portrush was awarded the 1951 British Open Championship, the only time it was held outside Great Britain. It has been the venue of the North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship since 1947.
Location
1/2 mile from Portrush on the A2 road to Bushmills.
Members Achievements
The Ladies of Royal Portrush Golf Club were runners-up in the Suzuki Senior Cup Final at Milltown Golf Club on Saturday 1st September 2007; they met Kilkenny Golf Club in the Quarter-Final on the Friday.First on the tee was Gemma Hegarty who beat Eileen Rose-Power by 2 and 1, she was followed by Lisa McMeekin who lost out to Mary Dowling by 4 and 3. Next up was Helen Jones who went all the way to the 19th before dismissing Mary Leahy-Browne. The penultimate match of Lucy Simpson against Sinead Slater saw Lucy deliver the vital match and a place in the Semi-Final. The bottom match of Rona English against Evelyn Crotty put the icing-on-the-cake with a 2-hole win and 4 matches to 1 match result. They met Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final on the Saturday morning.
Gemma Hegarty was again first on the tee against Alyson Taylor and the Co. Meath lady put the first points on the board with a 2-up win, she was followed by Helen Jones who beat Tracy Eakin by 4 and 2, next up Lucy Simpson who had to go to the 19th before seeing off Carol Wickham. The penultimate match saw Lisa McMeekin halve with Phil O'Gorman, the bottom match of Sonya Verschuur against Noeline Quirke saw Sonya deliver a crushing 6 and 5 win and a place in the All-Ireland decider in the afternoon against Ennis Golf Club.
Gemma Hegarty once again lead the Royal Portrush team with more than 20-All-Ireland “Red Ribbon” of Irish Ladies Golf against the Co. Clare team who had never won the coveted prize.Gemma lost her match Tricia McDonnell by 3 and 2, she was followed by Helen Jones who had a 4 and 3 win over Pamela Murphy. Next on the tee was Lisa McMeekin who lost her match by 2 and 1 to Sarah Cunning ham, Lucy Simpson halved her match with Valerie Hassett, the bottom match of Sonya Verschuur against young Ciara Pender went 4 and 3 to Ennis and with it the green pennant, giving the ladies and members of Ennis Golf Club an added celebration in their Centenary Year.
Girl-wonder Stephanie Meadow became the youngest ever winner of the Connacht Senior Championship in 2006, she is only 14 years old! Her reward has been selection by the ILGU for the European Young Masters squad.
Royal Portrush Ladies recorded their 21st victory in the Suzuki All-Ireland Senior Cup at Athlone Golf Club when on the 3rd September 2004 they had a convincing win over Western Champions Roscommon by 3 ½ matches to 1 ½ matches in the preliminary round. They went on to meet Co. Louth in the All-Ireland Semi-Final whom they beat by a similar margin. They then faced Kilkenny Golf Club in the All-Ireland Final where they had a magnificent 4 matches to 1 match victory. Recording three wins and two halves they retained the blue ribbon of Ladies Golf. The team was Helen Jones, Gemma Hegarty, Naoimh Quigg, Maura Diamond, Caroline Smyth, Roma English and Carol Corrigan captained them. Helen Jones won her match against Eileen Rose Power by 2 & 1, Gemma Hegarty halved with Mary Dowling, Naoimh Quigg beat Ruth Lennon by 2 & 1, Maura Diamond beat Ann Smee by 4 & 3 and Caroline Smyth halved with Evelyn Crotty.
Maura Diamond was selected on the Ulster ILGU Team for the Interprovincial's. Played at Ballybunion Golf Club from 18th to 20th August 2004.
Royal Portrush Ladies won the Suzuki All-Ireland Senior Cup at Blainroe Golf Club in 2003.when they beat Co. Louth in the All-Ireland Final. The team was Helen Jones, Gemma Hegarty, Naoimh Quigg, Maura Diamond, Caroline Smyth, Roma English and Carol Corrigan captained them. Helen Jones.
Christopher Hughes was selected on the Irish Boys Team that played Canada in a Junior Challenge match at Hamilton Golf and Country Club from 7th to 9th September 2004.
Congratulations to Wilma Erskine who was presented with the "Secretary-Manager of the Year" by the Irish Golf Tours Operators Association.
John Moss was selected non-playing Captain of the Ulster Senior Interprovincial team for 2002.
Jane Allen was selected on the Irish Senior Ladies team that played in the European Senior Ladies' Team Championship at the Schonenberg Golf Club, in Switzerland on the 3rd to the 7th of September. She was also on the team that played England at Woodbrook Golf Club on 21st and 22nd October 2001.
S. Robinson Captained the Ulster Ladies team in the AIB Interprovincial’s at the Island Golf Club from the 8th to the 10th August 2001.
Royal Portrush Golf Club won the All-Ireland Irish Senior Cup in 1979, when the team was, J. C. Moss, J. Dickson, I. A. Elliott, G. McAleese and D. J. F. Young.
They won the All-Ireland Irish Senior Cup in 1923, when the team was A. C. Allinson, C. O. Heziett, F. P. McConnell, R. McConnell, G. N. C. Martin, J. C. Martin and H. Swallow.
They won the All-Ireland Irish Senior Cup in 1903, when the team was, C. S. Moore, J. S. Moore, F. B. Newett, H. E. Reade, O. B. Webb and H. W. Webb.
They won the All-Ireland Irish Senior Cup in 1902, when the team was, D. J. Cameron, F. B. Newett, H. R. Reade, J. S. Reade, O. B. Webb and W. H. Webb.
They first won the All-Ireland Irish Senior Cup in 1901, when the team was, D. J. Cameron, H. E. Reade, J. S. Reade, J. H. Richardson, O. B. Webb and W. H. Webb.
Royal Portrush Golf Club won the All-Ireland Irish Barton Shield at Hermitage G. C. in 1977, when the team was, B. J. S. Kissock, M. Patterson, J. C. Moss and D. J. F. Young.
They won the All-Ireland Barton Shield at home in 1948, when the team was, T. B. Agnew, T. E. Dijon, J. Neill and J. Taggart.
They won the All-Ireland Barton Shield at home in 1922, when the team was, Capt. E. F. Carter, Major C. O. Hazlet, Dr. J. C. Mant-Martin and Col. W. K. Tillie.
They won the Ulster Final of the Barton Shield in 1999, when the team was, G. McGimpsey, C. Brown, E. Hughes, A. Francis and C. Devlin, they were captained by A. J. Kinley.
They won the Ulster Final of the Irish Senior Cup in 1997, when the team was, C. McElderry, E. Hughes, P. O'Donnell, C. Brown, A. Francis and R. Elliott, they were captained by W. R. A. Tennant.
They won the Ulster Final of the Barton Shield in 1990, when the team was, G. Clarke, P. Leckey, G. McAleese, M. Winderbank, D. Cameron, S. J. Henry and P. O'Donnell, they were captained by D. J. F. Young.
They won the Ulster Final of the Irish Senior Cup in 1989, when the team was, G. Clarke, P. Leckey, G. McGimpsey, G. Moore, M. Winderbank, G. McAleese, P. O'Donnell, D. J. F. Young, E. Hughes and D. Cameron, they were captained by D. J. Crawford.
They won the Ulster Final of the Barton Shield in 1986, when the team was, G. Clarke, M. Winderbank, D. Cameron, G. McAleese, P. Leckey and S. Monteith, they were captained by J. L. Shanks.
They won the Ulster Final of the Irish Junior Cup in 1981, when the team was, J. Brankin, A. Mitchell, S. Monteith, G. B. Stewart and E. P. Wright.
C. O. Hezlett played Walker Cup at Garden City, NY in 1924, at St Andrews in 1926 and was joined by fellow club-man G.N. Martin at Chicago in 1928.
I .A. Elliott participated in the Home International matches from 1975 to 1978.
Ricky Elliott participated in the Boys' Home International matches in 1995 and won the Tom Montgomery Perpetual Award in 1995, with 95 points, he played Ulster Youths in 1996, winning 4 of his 5 matches and Ulster Boys' in 1994.
C. McElderry in 1991. He also represented Ulster from 1995 to 1997 and played Ulster Youths from 1991 to 1992.
G. Moore represented Ulster in 1985 and played Ulster Youths' from 1985 to 1988, playing 16 matches.
G. Mc Alesse represented Ulster from 1981 to 1995. M. Windebank represented Ulster in 1983.
G. Clarke played Ulster Youths in 1987. S. Henry played Ulster Youths from 1990 to 1991, playing 9 matches.
J. Taggart played Ulster Youths in 1983. Phillippa Taggart played for the Irish Girls in 1971.
Mrs. Jane Allen won the Stroke Play Foursomes together with Miss Laura Bolton of Cairndhu in 1986.
Patricia MacKenzie won the Irish Girls' Close Championship in 1965 and played for the Irish Girls in 1965 against Wales.
Card of the Dunluce Course (yards)
Name Hole No Blue White Green Par Index Red Par Index Hughie's 1 392 382 371 4 7 329 4 5 Giant's Grave 2 505 490 477 5 11 472 5 11 Islay 3 155 145 140 3 17 130 3 17 Fred Daly's 4 457 455 442 4 3 412 5 3 White Rocks 5 411 379 369 4 9 335 4 7 Harry Colt's 6 189 185 177 3 15 157 3 15 P G Stevenson's 7 431 418 415 4 1 409 5 1 Himalayas 8 384 363 358 4 13 328 4 13 Tavern 9 475 472 456 5 5 428 5 9 Out 3,399 3,289 3,205 36 3,000 38 Dhu Varren 10 478 475 461 5 10 451 5 10 Feather Bed 11 170 165 160 3 18 137 3 18 Causeway 12 392 386 367 4 2 366 4 2 Skerries 13 372 370 358 4 6 362 4 6 Calamity 14 210 202 195 3 16 167 3 14 Purgatory 15 365 360 355 4 12 353 4 16 Glenarm 16 442 409 404 4 4 377 4 8 Greenway 17 548 528 504 5 14 482 5 4 Home Straight 18 469 457 413 4 8 428 5 12 In 3,446 3,352 3,217 36 3,123 37 Total 6,845 6,641 6,422 72 6,123 75 SSS 73 73 72 75
Men's Course Record: 61 Rory McIlroy
Ladies Course Record:
Card of the Valley Links Course (yards)
Name Hole No Blue Par White Par Index Red Par Index Zara Bolton's 1 349 4 339 4 11 332 4 11 Green Lane 2 385 4 374 4 3 294 4 3 Fairy Ring 3 141 3 135 3 17 132 3 17 War Hollow 4 534 5 520 5 7 494 5 7 Desert 5 336 4 324 4 13 281 4 13 Curran Point 6 237 3 231 3 9 154 3 9 Prospect 7 453 4 441 4 1 446 4 1 Patrick's 8 409 4 399 4 5 357 4 5 Cradle 9 320 4 311 4 15 308 4 15 Out 3,164 35 3,074 35 2,798 35 Switch Back 10 496 5 472 4 2 413 5 2 Mann's 11 140 3 130 3 18 122 3 18 Middle Green 12 465 4 452 4 4 460 4 4 Right About 13 486 5 458 4 8 422 5 8 St. Andrews 14 421 4 412 4 12 344 4 12 Recess 15 165 3 155 3 14 144 3 14 Bunkers 16 391 4 349 4 10 340 4 10 Valley 17 384 4 382 4 6 313 4 6 Stevie's 18 192 3 170 3 16 138 3 16 In 3,140 35 2,980 33 2,696 35 Total 6,304 70 6,054 68 5,494 70 SSS 71 70 71
Men's Course Record: 64 Wayne Telford
Roll of Honour Miss K. F. Stewart-Moore 1990 Ladies Captain S. M. Bolton 1990 Ladies President Basil McCrea 1990 Men's Captain Robert Lowry 1990 President Mrs. J. A. Robinson 1991 Ladies Captain S. M. Bolton 1991 Ladies President John G. McLean 1991 Men's Captain Robert Lowry 1991 President Mrs. D. J. Hassan 1992 Ladies Captain S. M. Bolton 1992 Ladies President Hugh H. Clarke 1992 Men's Captain Robert Lowry 1992 President Mrs. R. G. Brown 1993 Ladies Captain S. M. Bolton 1993 Ladies President William C. Logan 1993 Men's Captain Robert Lowry 1993 President Miss Jean Brown 1994 Ladies Captain S. M. Bolton 1994 Ladies President David J. F. Young 1994 Men's Captain Robert Lowry 1994 President Mrs. F. T. B. Fulton 1995 Ladies Captain Mrs. I. J. Higgins 1995 Ladies President Frank T. Trufelli 1995 Men's Captain Robert Lowry 1995 President Mrs. H. D. B. Canavan 1996 Ladies Captain Mrs. I. J. Higgins 1996 Ladies President John J. L. McNally 1996 Men's Captain Robert Lowry 1996 President Mrs. D. A. Stevenson 1997 Ladies Captain Mrs. I. J. Higgins 1997 Ladies President J. G. Kinley 1997 Men's Captain Mr. R. Gordon Clark 1997 President Mrs. A. Wallace 1998 Ladies Captain W. J. Caithness 1998 Ladies President Dr. T. B. Turner 1998 Men's Captain Mr. R. Gordon Clark 1998 President Mrs. J. J. S. Grey 1999 Ladies Captain W. J. Caithness 1999 Ladies President James T. Huston 1999 Men's Captain Mrs. C. P. Corrigan 2000 Ladies Captain W. J. Caithness 2000 Ladies President Ian R. Patterson 2000 Men's Captain Mr. R. Gordon Clark 2000 President Mrs. T. I. Simpson 2001 Ladies Captain W. J. Caithness 2001 Ladies President F. T. B. Fulton 2001 Men's Captain Mr. R. Gordon Clark 2001 President Mrs. Patricia McNally 2002 Ladies Captain W. J. Caithness 2002 Ladies President J. L. (Ian) Bamford 2002 Men's Captain Mr. R. Gordon Clark 2002 President Mrs. D. J. F. Young 2003 Ladies Captain Miss. K. Beamish 2003 Ladies President Sam Moore 2003 Men's Captain Mr. R. Gordon Clark 2003 President Mary Mitchell 2004 Ladies Captain Miss. K. Beamish 2004 Ladies President Roy Dunbar 2004 Men's Captain Mr. H. S. E. Catherwood 2004 President Mrs. J. H. Ludlow 2005 Ladies Captain Mrs. R. W. Temple 2005 Ladies President Desmond J. Hassan 2005 Men's Captain H. S. E. Catherwood 2005 President J. R. de Zeeuw 2006 Ladies Captain Ian C. Henderson 2006 Men's Captain H. S. E. Catherwood 2006 President T. B. Turner 2007 Ladies Captain H. S. E. Catherwood 2007 President Maura Diamond (4) 2008 Lowest Ladies Handicap John Turner (0) 2008 Lowest Men's Handicap