Reubens Loft

Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy, and Padraig Harrington are just some of the major contributors to a new book about Royal Portrush Golf Club. HISTORY MADE, HISTORY IN THE MAKING, tells the remarkable story of this sporting institution on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, starting with the club’s formation more than 130-years ago, and culminating in Shane Lowry’s heroics at the 2019 Open Championship.

The 9 hole golf course at Manor Golf Club, Kilrea was opened for play in 1991 and was affiliated to the G.U.I towards the end of 1994 during the late Eric McMasters' first year as Captain. His untiring and dedicated work which led to affiliation was recognised by the committee and members by proposing him to continue as Captain for a 2nd year. Indeed he is remembered in perpetuity by the Golfer of the Year being awarded the Eric McMaster trophy.

To begin, it is known that a golf club was in existence many years before it evolved in what became known officially as Rathmore Golf Club. A book has been published to explain the outset and the rise of the club from it’s humble beginnings to what it is now, the book is called “THE PRIVILEGED PLAYERS, The Story of Rathmore Golf Club…so far“, and is available at Rathmore Golf Club.The Privileged Players or Town Players were for the most part, non-professional men who lived within the town boundaries, and while Privileged Player status was open to any male resident of the town, this was subject of course to the approval from Royal Portrush Golf Club, a substantial portion of these appeared to have come from the harbour area of the town, also known as Ramore.The name Ramore is a contraction of the old Irish name Rath (meaning fort) and Mor (meaning big), with the well known local fact that a well established large fort was at the harbour end in the 16th century, so it seems almost appropriate that Rathmore Golf Club should be so named.

The outstanding Championship Strand Course was the host for the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Jon Rahm, the 2017 Winner was certainly impressed, “the golf course is amazing. It’s probably one of the most beautiful golf courses I have ever seen, if not the most”.

On May 4th 1900 a public meeting was held in the Pavilion, Castlerock for the purpose of considering the advisability of laying down golf links at the resort and of making the preliminary arrangements. The inauguration meeting of this prosperous club took place in the Pavilion on Tuesday afternoon of 16th April 1901, the Rev. William Irwin, D.D., occupying the chair, when a large body of members met together to appoint a council for the season.

Bushfoot Golf Club came into existence 125 years ago in 1890 although it is probable that people played on the links prior to that date. Since then the Club has grown in area, its membership has increased and its general development and ethos have mirrored the times in which it has existed. The original course occupied the area bounded by the River Bush, the Causeway Tramline and the right of way lane running from behind the ladies 10th tee to the back of the 7th green. The course area was subsequently increased by the acquisition of Curries field (the pitch and putt course approximately) and later by the ground to the east of the tramline. The Club has progressed from tenancy to ownership of the land. Clubhouses have changed from a removable wooden shelter (key 1/- to members) located to the side of the 7th green through a series of buildings to our present structure with its multiple functions (key £15.00 to members).

The course is a unique golfing challenge in that it covers both parkland and links holes. The first five holes are parkland in nature, flanked by the Rivers Margy and Carey with various trees and natural hills as the main landscape. The 12th century Bon-a-Margy abbey ruins provides an historical out of bounds.

Ballyreagh Golf Club is one of the luckiest golf clubs in the world in that its course takes its place on the much-admired Causeway Coast. The course basks in the lovely setting of the Portrush seaside and, as such, is one of the most beautiful in the North. It is a municipal links with views of the dramatic coastline from a large percentage of the holes.

Kilrea Golf Club was officially opened for play in November 1919. The honour of striking the first ball fell to Mr James Patterson, a native of the town who had recently returned from Australia. Described in the local press as “an influential gentleman of means”, Mr Patterson was deemed to have the necessary credentials to become the club’s first President.