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Golfs's Own Country

The Royal Portrush Golf Club was founded in 1888 as The County Club. It became The Royal County Club in 1892 under the patronage of the Duke of York and assumed its present name in 1895 under the patronage of the Prince of Wales.

1888

The County Club

When the original Golf Club was formed in May 1888, it was known as The County Club...

The County Club

When the original Golf Club was formed in May 1888, it was known as The County Club. It became the Royal County Club in 1892 when H.R.H. The Duke of York became its patron, and three years later, it was renamed Royal Portrush Golf Club, with H.R.H. The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) as patron.

It was here that the Irish Open Amateur Championship was inaugurated in 1892, followed by the Irish Professional Championship in 1907. In 1895, Portrush became the first links course outside of England to host the British Ladies Championship, which was won by Lady Margaret Scott. The championship was played here for the ninth time in 2011 and was won by Miss Lauren Taylor from Woburn Golf Club.

1889

18 Holes

The original nine-hole course, established in 1888, was expanded to 18 holes the following year. At that time, eight of the new holes were designed on the landward side of Causeway Road....

18 Holes

The nine-hole course of 1888 was extended to 18 holes the following year and at that time eight of these holes were laid out on the landward side of the Causeway Road. Gradually however the course was moved further and further into the sand hills until the famous architect, Harry Colt laid out his own plans for the Dunluce Links in 1929.

Altogether more than sixty national championships, British and Irish have been decided at Royal Portrush. The first professional tournament ever held in Ireland was run by the club in 1895. It was decided by match play and the famous ‘Sandy’ Herd who at the time was the Club’s first Professional was the eventual winner.

2010-2012

Irish Golf

During a successful period for Irish golf from 2010 to 2012, Portrush-born Graeme McDowell became the first player from Ireland to win the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

Honorary Club Member Rory McIlroy emulated McDowell’s achievement the following year, while Portrush resident Darren Clarke, also an Honorary Club Member, triumphed at the 140th Open Championship at Sandwich in 2011.

COMBINED SUCCESS

Changes

The combined success of these great Champions, along with the 2012 Irish Open, undoubtedly led to The R&A adding Royal Portrush to The Open rota in 2014.

After careful consideration by all involved, it was decided that changes would be needed to the Dunluce Links to accommodate a modern-day Open Championship.

2015

148th Open Announced

Following the Members' approval, work began on constructing two new holes designed by Martin Ebert, which had previously been part of the Valley Links....

148th Open Announced

Following the Members’ approval, work began on constructing two new holes designed by Martin Ebert, which had previously been part of the Valley Links. In 2015, The R&A announced that Royal Portrush would host the 148th Open in July 2019, 68 years after it first hosted the Championship. In June 2017, the newly revised Dunluce Links came into play, with the two new holes featuring as the par-5 7th hole and the dogleg par-4 8th hole. The Boys’ Amateur Championship, held the following year, was the first major championship to be contested over the new layout.

WOMEN IN GOLF

HISTORY

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What Players Say

Tom Watson

It's as pretty a golf course as you'll ever play.

Gary Player

I don't think there's a better golf course ever chosen for The Open.

Padraig Harrington

I've always put Portrush right at the top of my list of favourite courses.

Rory McIlroy

It's spectacular. It's awesome.

Jordan Spieth

Here and Augusta are my favourite events in the entire world. It never disappoints. It was awesome.

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