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Discover Northern Ireland |
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For hundreds of years the Irish have fought for respect and to govern themselves and to be free of English oppression. Heavy stuff for a golf story, yes? Well, it would have been impossible for me to ignore this history, this fact of life because this “wee little yarn” takes us on a trip through the Emerald Isles most tortured and notorious region know as “Northern Ireland” as we explore the courses, people and country known as “Erie”.
“Northern Ireland” consists of 6 counties that are predominantly “protestant” in their Christianity. And it was these 6 counties that have been the center for strife since Micheal Collins negotiated the first peace with the English in 1922. Part of the truce was that “The Republic of Ireland” would remain separated from her Irish brothers in “Ulster” via the English still governing the affairs of “Ulster”. For years war and terror reigned in Northern Ireland. But in 2008 peace and prosperity and joy now fill the streets of Belfast and there is renewed optimism.
So come with me now as we take a trip and you will discover the people, the golf courses and the man, John Hume, who negotiated the peace that now embraces Ireland! Flying to Ireland is an easy, short and comfortable flight. “The Dublin Airport” is modern and a scenic ride North will have you amazed as you view the lush green countryside as you head into Belfast. Your arrival into Belfast welcomes you to a modern city that is home to history and growth. All about you building and renovations are happening. The streets are alive with prosperity and abundance.
I hunkered down at the “Europa Hotel”, the most bombed hotel in all of Europe, and took to walk about to see the city. The shipyard that built the Titanic, the parliament and of course the taverns and pubs. It was here that I was most comfortable. For you see the Irish are a kind and inquisitive clan and an American is welcomed with open arms and greeted with an offer of a “Guinness”. And I tell you lads the “Guinness” never tasted so fresh and pure as it does when you drink it in the homeland! With the harps and fiddles playing madly about me I settled into my home away from home and was ready for my golf journey along “The Causeway Coast Golf Trail”.
The brilliant green country side combines with the rugged coast line to provide stunning vistas and awe inspiring pictures. Studded with the remnants of ancient castles and rock formations is she. Tiny coastal villages dot the shoreline. In the village of Portstewart sailboats bob up in down in the harbor as children play. And here you find the “Port Stewart Golf Club” with its three distinct golf courses. Founded in 1894 these links courses do not disappoint. “The Strand”, “The Riverside” and “The Old Course” are just simply delightful.
Founded in 1894 Portstewart Golf Club was always a haven for the golfing purist. However, the reputation of the Strand Course was further enhanced by the building of new holes in the dunes between the Atlantic Ocean and the River Bann in the late eighties. Huge dunes are complemented by stunning views across the bay to the blue Donegal hills. Every shot in the bag will be tested. This is a true links course with fast greens in excellent condition all the year round. Portstewart played host as a qualifying venue in the 1951 British Open. It is an uncontested view that Portstewart has the best opening hole in Irish Golf.
Well, here’s a secret – it might be the best opening hole in all of golf. Come and see it for yourself – with some beautiful 5 Star Castle Hotels along with other fantastic hotels and guesthouses in the north of Ireland, the Causeway Coast is a fantastic golf destination.”, a little leprechaun told me.
Now that you have warmed up its time to test your game and shot making ability. “The Royal Portrush GC” was formed in 1888. And in 1895 hosted Ireland's first professional tournament. In 1951 the first “Open Championship” played in Ireland was here.
“Royal Portrush Golf Club in County Antrim, Northern Ireland is considered a highly testing course, with a particularly scenic setting. The links course is rated number 4 of "The 100 greatest courses in the British Isles" It was ranked number 12 in the world in Golf Magazine's biennial rankings of the Top 100 Courses in the World. Additionally Golf Digest ranks it as the third best course outside the United States.
Situated on the beautiful North Antrim Causeway Coast, Royal Portrush occupies a triangle of giant sandhills with views of the hills of Donegal in the west, the Isle of Islay and Southern Hebrides in the north, with the Giant's Causeway and the Skerries in the east. The course is overlooked by the ruins of 13th century Dunluce Castle and this gives its name to Royal Portrush's famous Dunluce course.
This beautifully natural golf course is one for enthusiasts of the game but it is a difficult challenge for high handicappers and anyone who is liable to stray of the straight and narrow. From June or July on the rough is well named and discretion rather bravery should be your watchword. Highlights of the course include the famous 14th, Calamity Corner, a Par 3 in excess of 200yds requiring a full carry to the green over an imposing ravine.”, wrote one writer. It is truly a golf experience second to none! It is located an hours drive from Belfast with most of the road following the coastline.
Getting around Ireland is best left to the Pros. I highly suggest that you contact a driver for the duration. Not only do they keep you safe and sound after you have had a few pints after your round; but their knowledge of the local region is second to none. They know the history and stories that make each and every village, pub and stop along your journey seem mystical.
Wow, could it get any better. Up the coast we headed and landed at the cozy little seaside village of Ballyliffin. Here you will find “The Ballyliffin Golf Club” in County Donegal.
“The magnificent links golf courses along the north west coast provides some of the most exhilarating and challenging golf in the world. It has two courses for you to play. With the ocean as a backdrop you will surely enjoy these two links courses.
“The Old Links” has been redesigned by Nick Faldo and is among the few elite courses that always make the ‘A’ list of discerning golfers from Europe and America.
A ferry service provided between Greencastle and Northern Ireland leads you to the magnificent “Portstewart Golf Club” and “Royal Portrush Golf Club” portrayed by many golfers as one of the most challenging courses in the world.”, states the website.
“Ballyliffen has two outstanding, contrasting links courses and 36 wonderful holes make up one of the finest golf resorts to be found anywhere in the world - Ballyliffin Golf Club. The Old Links undulates in the glory of its natural terrain, presenting an immensely enjoyable challenge to every golfer. Work recently undertaken by Nick Faldo has resulted in an Old Links that has been refined and what is now a fantastic golf course.
The new Glashedy Links is fashioned around the incredible dunes, and is already notorious for its peat riveted bunkers and its opening three challenging par fours. The expansive panoramic views of countryside, coastline and ocean savoured by these magnificent links course will not easily be forgotten.
Ballyliffin has been described as the Ballybunion of Ireland’s north. Host to a European Golf Tour event, home to two championship links courses – this is a must when putting together an Ireland golf package with your friends.”, they tell us. “The Ballyliffin Lodge” is a five star facility. And it was here at the “Lodge” that I ran into none other but himself, John Hume. As glorified to the Irish is St. Patrick is John Hume.
For it is John Hume who negotiated “The Peace” accord between The Irish, The English and The Irish Republic Army. It was he who brought the warring factions together and made them understand that peace was the only answer.
“Mr. Hume, how were you able to do what no other man has ever been able to do? How were you able to negotiate peace?”, I asked the “1998 Nobel Peace Prize” winner as our respective groups dinned in the opulent hotels restaurant.
“I made them understand that it was an ancient war. And that the time had come to move on and that all men desire and want to live life free.”, he said to me.
Several hours and brandies later as we over looked the Atlantic Ocean and I enjoyed my cigar; “I have had this damn headache for months now”, John said to me.
“Well, no wonder you negotiated world peace that's a little stressful. Come here, you ever had a neck rub?” I was expecting 20 S.A.S. soldiers to leap from the stillness of the night and rip my heart out as I started rubbing the “Nobel Peace Prize” winners neck. Good god it was like massaging the US Steel Building. He was tense, but he did loosen up. “John you have earned it. Go down the the spa in the morning here in the hotel and tell them you want a complete massage.”, I told him.
My pals couldn't stop laughing at breakfast all the next morning telling that story; that was until John Hume came up and thanked me for suggesting that he visit the Spa at Ballyliffin. It was the least I could do for the man who had brought peace to “Northern Ireland”.
Now the true delight that is Ireland is discovering the next village and in our case the next golf course. So on we went further up the “Causeway Coast”. She sits day in and day out beside the sea does “Ports Salon Golf Club”. Dotted around the coast of Ireland are 44 of the best 'Links' golf courses in the world, some new, many date back to the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. “Port Salon”, dating back to 1891, is less well known but equally deserving of its fine reputation as a true links in the old style. Stretching along Port Salon beach on the shores of Sough Silly and protected from north and west winds by the majestic mountains of Done gal are those narrow undulating fairways winding through deep dunes. Soft sand bunkers, large natural greens and meandering streams offer the golfer testing and enjoyable golf on a links steeped in history. Port salon is one of those little known gems found in north Done gal, friendly and informal with stunning views to mellow the most ardent golfer. You will wonder then, why there are no crowded fairways or difficulty arranging tee times and why green fees are so very, very reasonable.
“Port salon Golf Club” has been described as golf links greatest hidden treasure in Ireland and also as the best value golf location on the emerald isle, according to American author Michael Palmer. Last year publisher Michael Palmer who hails from Baltimore, Maryland accompanied by two friends under took a months golfing vacation in Ireland to play every links course, combining his experiences with his own personal ratings score of each course to publish his book "Secrets of the Irish Links". The trio undertook the marathon 2,200 miles journey in 30 days playing 44 courses around Ireland. On his travels he has rated Port salon golf club in 6th place in his list of best links courses in the country!
"Without a doubt Port salon was the best discovery of my entire trip, I hand’ t heard anything about the place, didn’t have any expectations. The tiny car parking lot and clubhouse led me to believe it was a mediocre course at best. But after a bit of a let down on the first hole... wow... The place is just stunning. Portsalon has everything a great links course should have: elevated tees... high dunes... views of the beach and water... and interesting twists and turns through low lying valleys. Best golf bargain in Irish links golf."
Beyond the golf of Ireland there just is simply so much to see and do in the ancient country. “The Giants Causeway” is a must see on any tourist agenda. The work of art was sculpted through the centuries by Mother Nature and is simply breathtaking. “The Causeway is a mass of 40,000 stone columns that form steps leading from the cliff foot and disappearing under the sea. Most of the columns are six sided and some are 40 ft tall. Geologists explain that the Causeway was created during a period of volcanic activity some 60 million years ago but local folklore would disagree and would insist that it was built by the Irish Giant Finn MacCool so that he could cross the Irish Sea to Scotland to challenge a rival giant, Benandoner.”, the local story tellers explain.
Just a stones throw away is the “The Bushmills Inn” adjacent to the “Bushmills Distillery”. “The story of Bushmills whiskey stretches back in time at least to 1608 when King James I of England granted the original license to distill "Acqua Vitae" the water of life but records of distillation at our near Bushmills go back as far as the 13th century.”
The Inn and restaurant are right out of the pages of a fairytale. A golf vacation to Northern Ireland is perfect for men and women, couples, groups everyone! The links golf is the best in the world. The stunning and breathtaking scenery along every step of your journey is awe inspiring. From the ancient castles, to the green country side, to the sleepy little villages and the pubs that are filled with smiling faces and fresh “Guinness”. A golf vacation to Northern Ireland is a complete experience that will have you dreaming of your next trip back to the homeland. With visions of unicorns, leprechauns and smiling Irish eyes filling my mind I can hear “Danny Boy” playing as I remember a trip of a life time. To discover Northern Ireland for yourself, log onto www.discovernorthernireland.com or www.northwestcoastlinks.com. |
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