Old Tom Morris, the Grand Old Man of Golf, is arguably most responsible for the sport as we know it today.
And he must have licked his lips when he travelled to Northern Ireland to help design courses that would soon become world-famous.
Royal County Down, which is often ranked top of Golf Digest’s list of the world’s 100 greatest courses, was open for business within a year of the great man’s visit in 1889.
That’s because, like all great links courses, the wonderful dune-land and dramatic coastline meant very little work needed to be done.
The greatest courses have always naturally been there, carved out in harmony with the undulating land, creating the ultimate test of golfer versus the earth itself.
Often the elements will win, but we keep returning for the thrilling prospect of a fairer day in paradise.
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Nowhere is that more true than Northern Ireland. And that’s according to the experts.
Golf Digest ask hundreds of panellists to judge the world’s greatest courses based on shot options, challenge, layout variety, distinctiveness, aesthetic, conditioning, character, fun – and they officially deem Royal County Down the greatest place to play golf on earth, which is good news if you’re Tourism Ireland.
Ten years ago, Rory McIlroy tweeted from the course: “I’m a little biased but definitely one of the top few courses in the world!”
Multiple lists put Royal County Down above St Andrews and Augusta National, golf’s two most iconic places – and it is just one of many iconic spots for golfers to enjoy in Northern Ireland.
Despite its size, Northern Ireland has punched above its weight and written its own unique golfing story.
The list of world-class tracks is endless: Royal Belfast, Ardglass, Galgorm Castle, Lough Erne, Portstewart… with such a vast variety of courses across the land, we easily could go on.
Drifting in from the spectacular coastline, it would be rude not to mention wonderful parkland offerings like Belvoir Park and Malone.
And it is not just the property that makes worldwide headlines, it’s the people: Northern Ireland has witnessed two recent major champions in Darren Clarke and McIlroy.
Growing up on the coast of Hollywood, less than ten minutes from Royal Belfast, it is clear to see how McIlroy became infatuated with golf, surrounded by breathtaking and challenging layouts.
But there is one place he wants to conquer more than anywhere else: Royal Portrush.
The Open returned to the stunning Causeway Coast for the first time in 68 years in 2019, bringing with it an understandable hype around hometown hero McIlroy.
But there was also a more general buzz about one of the world’s greatest golf courses hosting the sport’s most important event.
Golf legend Tiger Woods, who was Masters champion at the time, was blown away by his first experience of Royal Portrush, having only experienced Northern Ireland once before at Royal County Down.
“It’s an unbelievable golf course,” Woods said ahead of the 2019 Open.
“It’s amazing that (The Open) hasn’t been here in such a long period of time. This is just a wonderful golf course.
“It can play so many different ways. It depends on the wind, what it does.
“Some of the bunkers here, you wonder why in the hell is it there. And then a switch in wind and all of a sudden it’s in play.”
McIlroy broke the course record as a 16-year-old on the Dunluce links layout, but like every golfer knows, the game in its purest form can be a cruel one.
His 2019 Open ended in tears as he missed the halfway cut and close friend Shane Lowry lifted the Claret Jug.
But McIlroy will get another crack at conquering Northern Ireland as it takes centre stage in the coming years.
He will headline the field at the 2024 Irish Open in September, which will be hosted by Royal County Down.
And then in July 2025, The Open returns to Royal Portrush as the R&A bid to make up for lost time.
As professional golf finds itself warped in a time of constant change, the arrival of these two events could not be better, in a place where the sport remains as beautiful as ever.
News Summary:
- Tiger Woods loves golf in Northern Ireland with Rory McIlroy set to return to iconic courses in search of glory
- Check all news and articles from the latest Golf updates.