From County Down to Portrush, The Royal Golf Giant's Causeway

Where to play ?

AROUND BELFAST

Not far away from Belfast on the eastern side along the Lough south riverside, at Carnalea, nearby Helen's bay, Carnalea Golf Course has to be discovered, hidden it is at the very end of Station Road. Five spectacular par-3 along the water… Overlooking the bay, the bar and the restaurant in the ClubHouse are known for being among the best.

A few miles away from there the Bangor Golf Club is an enclave inside the city. The very convivial David Ryan takes a special care to present an always manicured course to his members, the Irish champion Feherty, actual golf commentator to NBC, being one of the most famous and faithful to his club. By fair weather, one can get from different tees a wonderful view over the Lough to the Scottish coasts.

SOUTH OF BELFAST

In the immediate southern surroundings of Belfast, the Clandeboye Golf Club, created in 1925, is located near the Blackwood forest and his known Clandeboye Lodge at Newtownards. The club has two courses on a wooded hill dominating the Ireland Sea and from where one can see, by fair weather, Man Island and the Scottish coasts. Both are respecting the natural slopes, which give them a specific character.

Clandeboye has two 18 hole: Dufferin and Ava. Remark between the 16th and 17th hole of Dufferin the "Conn's Stone" which the last one of a "field of celtic stones".

At South by the scenic road which goes along the Strangford Lough from Newtownards to Portaferry at the very end of the peninsula, one has to take a ferry to cross in a few minutes the pass to the road going to the little and charming fortified harbour of Ardglass and Newcastle in County Down.

Facing the Irish Sea, fairways and greens of the centennial Ardglass Golf Club overhang the rocky creeks where waves explode in white foam showers, sometimes over the golfers on very windy weather. The place is an enchantment for those who like wild environments. "But don't be afraid, said the pro Philip Farrel. Come and play Ardglass after, and not before Royal County Down. You certainly will enjoy it".

In fact Royal County Down at Newcastle in one of the most beautiful links in the world (ranked number three). Facing the Irish Sea and his winds, the holes are running along sandy dunes through sandy traps with hairy lips over hairy bumps to slippery greens… As the pro Kevin Whiston says:"On this course, every hole is difficult but some are more difficult than others". Hole 2, 6 or 11 can be quoted as examples: you have to be straight in the gusts coming from the sea and avoid the high grass or the brooms… If your ball goes in the long stuff, you may stay there! The course must be difficult enough: Tiger Woods choose it for a week of tough training just before wining the 2000 British Open at Saint Andrews…

The Royal County Down is not only worth the trip for his difficulties but also for his environment and especially for the famous blue Mourne Mountains, which have been celebrated by a very popular ballad. Their bare summit has given his name to the castle hotel near the course the Slieve Donard Hotel.

Dufferin at Clandeboye

Ardglass Clubhouse

County Down's bunker

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