Royal County Down
Championship Course-Newcastle, Nothern Ireland
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Royal County Down lies to the north of the seaside town of Newcastle on the east coast of Ireland. Washed by the waters of the Irish Sea at Dundrum Bay, the course lies in the shadow of the impressive Mourne Mountains. Royal County Down is widely regarded as a links course that is one of the finest tests in world golf, as well as being one of the most beautiful. Tom Watson describes the front nine as the best nine holes he has ever played.
Royal County Down's origins began in 1889 when, Old Tom Morris was employed to lay out the course at a cost of 4 guineas. In the 1920s, George Combe, with advice from Harry Vardon made his own set of alterations to the course, and it is Combe who is generally credited with creating the magnificent course that stands today.
Royal County Down is a feast of great golf holes between which is a layout of breathtaking beauty. However, there is little time to enjoy the scenery here as every hole is lined with treacherous hazards. These take shape in the form of heather, gorse, whin bushes and a rough so thick you will be praying to find your ball if you decide to venture this way. Couple this with a few hundred bunkers, and a wind that can blow so hard it will make your contact lenses vibrate, all adds up to deliver a fascinating but nerve racking golfing experience.
Hiring a local caddy is almost essential, as there are several blind tee-shots and caddies are expert at knowing exactly where a stray ball can be found. It is also recommended to follow the course marshal's advice on the tees to be played - it can make a huge difference to your enjoyment of the course.
Royal County Down has also hosted a number of prestigious tournaments, such as the Senior British Open, The Amateur Championship, the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship, and the Curtis Cup, and it will be the venue for the 2007 Walker Cup.
In 2007 the Championship Course was ranked as the best course in the world outside the United States by Golf Digest, and given the opportunity, this is a course that should not be missed by any proficient golfer. It can provide a truly memorable and rewarding experience for those who dare to venture out into the perils of this seaside links.
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