Castlerock Golf Club is a fabulous links course set among rolling sand dunes. - 12th Jan 2005

Castlerock Golf Club is situated in the seaside village of Castlerock, which lies approximately 5 miles due West of the town of Coleraine on the North Coast of Northern Ireland.

Castlerock is a fabulous links course set among rolling sand dunes.

Its scenic qualities embrace the river Bann flowing out to the Atlantic, and also eye-catching views of Donegal and on a clear day towards Scotland and the Isle of Islay. An ideal retreat in which to play golf.

The Club was founded and gained affiliation to the G.U.I. over one hundred years ago in 1901.

Ben Sayers expanded the original layout to 18 holes in 1908. As he surveyed his handwork this reputable Scottish Professional from North Berwick declared that the Castlerock links were equal to those of Troon and Sandwich and specifically some of the holes were the best he had ever seen.

Among the many other notables who influenced or were influenced by Castlerock were Harry S Colt the world renowned architect who brought several changes to bear in 1925, and Fred Daly, Irelands only Open Champion who in 1952 requested his appointment as Professional of the Club.

From the time that Colonel Bruce and Sir Hervey Bruce handed them the land, the founder members of Castlerock Golf Club resolved that their golf course should be of the finest standard.

Today Castlerock is renowned locally for its good greens, which are kept to a high standard all the year round.

A warm welcome awaits all visitors upon arrival and after the round a pint of the Black stuff followed by a meal selected from a wide ranging menu can be enjoyed in the spacious Clubhouse.

The Championship Mussenden Course is a par 73 with five par-5s, four par-3s, and nine par-4s.

The best-known hole is the fourth, called the Leg o Mutton, a 200 yard par-3 with a railway line to the right, a burn to the left and a raised green.

Additionally the 9 hole Bann course has widened the appeal of the Club and contains a par-5 which has been described as one of the most scenic holes in Irish golf.

Over the past hundred years the Club has played frequent host to the countrys National Championships both Amateur and Professional and more recently in 2000, Castlerock Golf Club played hosts to the World Student Games, the first time this competition had been played in the United Kingdom.

In 2001, the Clubs Centenary Year the Irish P.G.A. Championships were successfully staged in early October.

At the end of the four rounds the eventual winner Des Smyth was victorious by one shot over Ryder Cup player Paul McGinley.

Graced with the natural beauty of its peaceful setting and the views that surround it is the Clubs underlying pursuit of excellence that keeps this place a sacred retreat for the truly ardent follower of golf.

Related Links

• http://www.castlerockgc.co.uk

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