The northern coast of Ireland holds more golf greatness than Royal Portrush. This week The Tour of Ireland Project stops some kilometers further west, in the little town of Portstewart.
Only 10 kilometers from Portrush, between the dunes and the River Bann, we drive into the next golf greatness. Portstewart is a course that offers a somewhat different kind of links golf.
While the original holes from 1800s are located on fairly level ground towards the river, the new holes that were built about twenty years ago are laid out among the high dunes between the ocean and the river. It’s rock and roll all the way.
We crisscross between the dunes, playing off high tees across or along the valleys. Sometimes the landing areas are small and short; sometimes we get lots of roll on the narrow, elongated fairways. Every hole has its own character, and the images will be entrenched in the memory forever. The views are incredibly dramatic and amazing.
We crisscross between the dunes, playing off high tees across or along the valleys
The first hole is considered the best starting hole in Ireland. Before we tee off, the village’s police approach us on his bicycle. He monitors our drives, wish us good luck and pedal on.
Next stop: Castle Rock
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Rock’n roll på dynerna
Knappt en mil bort från Portrush, mellan sanddynerna och floden Bann kör vi in på nästa storhet, Portstewart – som bjuder på en delvis helt annan typ av linksgolf.
Medan ursprungshålen från 1800-talet ligger på ganska slät mark ner mot floden byggdes för ett tjugotal år sedan nya hål mitt uppe i de riktigt höga sanddynerna mellan havet och floden. Det är rock ’n roll för hela slanten.
Every hole has its own character, and the images will be entrenched in the memory forever.
Vi kryssar mellan dynerna, spelar från tee på höjderna och över eller ner i dalgångar. Ibland mot små korta landningsytor, ibland med mycket rull på smala men långsträckta fairways. Vartenda hål har sin egen karaktär och bilderna biter sig fast i minnet för all framtid. Oerhört dramatiskt och fantastiska vyer. Första hålet anses vara det bästa starthålet på hela Irland. Innan vi slår ut kommer byns polis cyklande, övervakar utslagen, önskar lycka till och trampar vidare.
Next stop: Castlerock
