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By David Brice
Golf International, Inc.

No greater honor can be bestowed upon any golf club than to be called upon to host the world's most historic and arguably its most prestigious golf event, The British Open. Since 1860 when The Open was first held, only an elite group of Britain's most highly regarded golf clubs and their courses have received the privilege. The list is not long, numbering just 14 clubs and all of these in Scotland and England with a single exception, Northern Ireland's Royal Portrush.

1951's British Open venue, Royal Portrush is unique.

In 1951 Royal Portrush was the proud host and Englishman, Max Faulkner took that year's championship and the famous claret jug. Never before and never since has The Open strayed from the shores of Britain's mainland.

This fact places Royal Portrush in a class entirely of its own - but this club and its two courses, have never be accused of being ordinary. From its very inception in 1888, the distinguished Royal Portrush Golf Club has always been a little different from the rest

Portrush received its Royal Moniker in 1892, only a brief 4 years after opening. Others have typically waited for a quarter century or longer, proving their pedigree before being accepted into the elite circle of only 37 clubs in the British Isles, permitted to carry the proud, Royal title. Today, Royal Portrush is rated up there alongside the very best, ranked number 8 in the entire British Isles and number 2 on the Emerald Isle.

Portrush occupies a dramatic coastline site.

Northern Ireland is arguably one of the most scenic regions to be found on the entire island of Ireland and the coastline surrounding Portrush, perhaps the most stunningly beautiful part of all. This is the Antrim Coast, home to Northern Ireland's spectacular natural wonder, The Giant's Causeway. There are views across the Irish Sea to Scotland in one direction and the distant hills of Donegal in the other. A more breathtaking setting for a golf course would be hard, if not impossible to find.

Royal Portrush boasts two championship layouts, but when people speak of the championship links, they are usually referring to The Dunluce Course, stage for the 1951 Open. If it were in any other location, The Valley Course would take more of the glory it certainly deserves, but this is Portrush, an area of golfing superlatives and it is The Dunluce that takes the winners circle.

Today's Dunluce layout bears little resemblance to the original, thanks to the creative genius of the great English architect, Harry S. Colt, who redesigned the course between 1929 and 1932.

Portrush was designed by HS Colt and was his best.

From the impressive portfolio of masterpieces coming from Colt's drawing board, including England's fabled Woodhall Spa, Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Royal St. Georges, Sunningdale and Royal Porthcawl in Wales (all ranked with Britain's top 30 courses) and another two dozen top layouts in the USA (Briarwood, Sea Island, Burning Tree and Pine Valley among others) he considered Royal Portrush, to be his crowning glory. There are few who would disagree - Portrush is simply one of a kind and very special.

Measuring a more than healthy 6,818 yards and playing to a par of 72, Royal Portrush presents a very serious, though fair challenge, bringing all of the elements associated with great links golf into play.

The course is laid out in and among a landscape of giant dunes, along spectacular cliff-tops and through deep, dark valleys. Constant changes of direction and elevation make the wind blowing in from the Irish Sea, an ever-varying challenge to contend with. This is a course where accuracy is key and wayward shots are penalized to the extreme by rough that can only be described as cruel and punishing -- ability combined with a sensitivity to the elements will be a huge help.

Royal Portrush caters to golf's connoisseurs.

The Dunluce Course is incredible - a chain of 18 magnificent holes, with no compromises, neither does it show any forgiveness for those who may not be up to the test it so honestly, lays out. If there is a particularly memorable hole however, it has to be the 14th, aptly named, Calamity -- a 210-yard, par 3.

Standing on the tee looking toward the green, you will immediately know why Calamity is so named. It takes a bulls-eye accurate, long iron or wood shot that must not go right. Slice the ball and you'll be guaranteed a double bogey as the ball succumbs to the call of gravity, bouncing and rolling on a seemingly endless journey down a steep slope toward The Valley Course. Par here will be an exception and a bogey, uncommon -- just remind yourself, this is only a game and good sportsmen don't use bad language.

Wildly undulating fairways and devious bunkering are trademarks of Portrush.

A terrific links course and a joy, though thoroughly exhausting test to play. Inevitably, The Dunluce will tempt you to play it a second, and perhaps a third time. If you can squeeze it in and the club has time available, don't resist -- seldom will you have the chance to partake of links golf as good as this.

There are plenty of reasons to linger longer around Portrush. There is The Valley Course, not as testing as The Dunluce, but still a delight and with a sense of forgiveness that can only be appreciated, either before or after taking on the rigors of the main attraction. Immediately abutting Royal Portrush is Portstewart, with some say, the best opening hole in Irish golf and only a little further on, Castlerock, yet another golfing treasure in Northern Ireland's crown.

Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Bushmills whiskey distillery, located on the outskirts of Portrush. It's an opportunity to sample a little of Northern Ireland's delightful rendition of "The Water of Life". And for a place to stay, you won't go wrong in choosing The Bushmills Inn. If you can't get a room, there are others nearby, but at least treat yourself to dinner at the hotel's restaurant, it's one of the best eating establishments in Northern Ireland.

For additional suggestions on how to include Royal Portrush and more of Northern Ireland's excellent golf courses, together with a few of the off course attractions, click here.

© 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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