Portstewart Golf Club

Portstewart had long been known for its spectacular 1st hole; an outstanding par-4 that dives around the beachfront dunes. Now, thanks to the new property and their school-teacher architect, the club had 7 more just like it. The 2nd through 8th holes twist and turn their way through the sandhills in dramatic fashion, and are sure to produce the most vivid memories of the day. The par-4 5th hole is perhaps the best example, while the tiny target at the par-3 6th does a fine job of living up to its name: “Five Penny Piece.”

After a front-9 that is filled with one highlight after another, the inward side at Portstewart is often criticised as a bit of a let down. There is no doubt that the back-9 plays over less dramatic ground, yet the original Willie Park holes are filled with plenty of interest if one is willing to look for it. The rumpled terrain and shelf-top greens are a delightful throwback to another era, and it’s likely that most of the holes would never be built today. Still, the argument that Portstewart is a tale of two 9’s does hold some merit.

For the entirety of its existence, Portstewart has lived in the shadow of its colleague down the road at Portrush. The club is slowly gaining the well-deserved attention of golfers across the globe, however, and the limelight of hosting the 2017 Irish Open has only reinforced that fact. We find Portstewart to be a worthy complement to its royal neighbor, with the front-9 alone making the journey across the pond entirely worthwhile.