If it weren't for the fact that the highly acclaimed, Royal Portrush Golf Club is only a couple of miles down the road from Portstewart, the latter would be much better known as one of the best courses in all Ireland and would be vying with its neighbor for the accolades that are normally reserved exclusively for Portrush and Royal County Down, in the southerly part of the country. Visiting golfers often flit into Northern Ireland from "down South" for a couple of days with the specific purpose of playing the two courses that are consistently rated at the very top of Ireland's rankings, Royal County Down and Royal Portrush. They also leave as quickly as they arrived, going on to play more courses in The Republic, usually in the Dublin area or in the Southwest. Oh what they have missed! Had they lingered a little longer in the North, the pleasures of Portstewart's Strand Course and a few other nearby treasures, could have been theirs as well. Rankings of golf courses, as published by the various golf magazines of the world, are seldom objective and never totally fair. They rely on members of the judging panel to play the courses they are ranking and too often, those that may be further down the list do not necessarily get played. The safest approach for these guys is to leave the course in the same position it held in the previous ranking. But courses change and Portstewart is one example of how much they can change. The original design dates from 1894 and was the work of two time British Open winner, Scotsman, Willie Park Jr. Willie did an excellent job. So good that the opening hole here is regarded as the best in all Ireland by most and by many, the best opening hole anywhere. The following sequence of 7 holes, though still challenging, had been a little bit of a letdown after players had experienced the drama of the first. That is until 1981, when Portstewart acquired 60 acres of magnificent neighboring duneland. This virgin coastline property was totally untouched, completely wild and just calling out to become a part of the Portstewart links. By 1991, work had been completed and The Strand Course was transformed into a truly world class layout, every bit as good as its next door neighbor and I venture to say, perhaps even a superior challenge. Immediately following the famous first, you now climb into towering sand dunes where the elevation provides panoramic views of the coast and an ominous sequence of seven magnificent tests of golf.
As youthful as The Strand's new holes are, if you didn't know the true story, you would never think they were anything but a part of the original, 18 hole layout, that's how beautifully the job has been accomplished. So why doesn't Portstewart get a higher ranking than 18th in all Ireland? (Britain's Golf World Magazine) Portstewart is not an eager publicity seeker and the members have done little to tout the beautiful beast they have developed. Nor have they lobbied with the powers in golf to better their ranking. But that just might be another sign of what an exceptional course The Strand is… when you know you are the best, it's bad form to shout about it. It's only a personal opinion, but for me this gem belongs up there with Ireland's big four, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Portmarnock and Ballybunion. Whether I am right or wrong is not so important. What is important is that Portstewart's Strand Course is an outstanding experience and if you miss it, you are missing out on a real treat. This is 18 holes of perfection. Go and try it for yourself and you be the judge. Just remember you are going to play the championship, Strand Course. There is another 18 hole layout here that goes by the name of The Old Course. Although it's very good, does not measure up to The Strand. For some ideas on how to include Kenmare in your trip, click here. © 2004 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Golf International -- Providers of quality golf travel arrangements since 1988. |
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