Royal County Down trip

[richart]

Thinking of going to RCD for a four day trip next April with the boys, and look for some advice on

a) where else to play. Thought about Aardglass.

b) where to stay. If we could find three or four decent courses within say an hour drive, would like to then stay centrally rather than at RCD. Basically happy to drive up to an hour max.

Any one else been on such a trip that could advise, or any locals that can help.

Thanks

Rich

 

[North Mimms]

Thinking of going to RCD for a four day trip next April with the boys, and look for some advice on

a) where else to play. Thought about Aardglass.

b) where to stay. If we could find three or four decent courses within say an hour drive, would like to then stay centrally rather than at RCD. Basically happy to drive up to an hour max.

Any one else been on such a trip that could advise, or any locals that can help.

Thanks

Rich

We played RCD last summer and stayed at a B&B which backed onto course itself. Called something like Number 10. Clean and welcoming and a great brekkie. We went out back gate and walked down edge of course into town about 5 minutes away.
They have at least two twin ensuite rooms, maybe more.

Friendly hosts and I recommend +++++++

 

[smange]

Thinking of going to RCD for a four day trip next April with the boys, and look for some advice on

a) where else to play. Thought about Aardglass.

b) where to stay. If we could find three or four decent courses within say an hour drive, would like to then stay centrally rather than at RCD. Basically happy to drive up to an hour max.

Any one else been on such a trip that could advise, or any locals that can help.

Thanks

Rich

Malek is your man for that area, he is a member at Ardglass.

Send him a PM, he's a decent spud :thup: malek988 is his forum name

 

[richart]

We played RCD last summer and stayed at a B&B which backed onto course itself. Called something like Number 10. Clean and welcoming and a great brekkie. We went out back gate and walked down edge of course into town about 5 minutes away.
They have at least two twin ensuite rooms, maybe more.

Friendly hosts and I recommend +++++++

Looked at that but there are 6 of us, and we all want our own rooms.oo: Have found what looks a lovely small hotel in Strangford, not far from Ardglass, the Cuan, which is £250 for four nights, two B & B and two full board. Looks nice and quiet, and has a bar.:thup:

Malek is your man for that area, he is a member at Ardglass.

Send him a PM, he's a decent spud :thup: malek988 is his forum name

Thanks for that, I will do.

Has anyone played the 2nd course at RCD ? Seems to be rated quite highly, and though short is good value.

 

[julsk10]

Richart, I have worked in Newcastle for the last 14 years, live about 20 mins away. Ardglass is a great course. The wee course is good fun, although personally I wouldn't recommend it, in April you will be able to at rcd for £55, which is great value. I had visitors over at Easter, we played portrush on the Wednesday and rcd on the Friday. We stayed in the magherabuoy house hotel in portrush on wed night- £105 twin room d,b&b. It really depends what you want, within 1hr of newcastle you have kilkeel, ardglass, spa(my home course) all the Belfast courses plus loads more. Have a look around and ask on here for advice. There is the burrendale hotel in Newcastle which is nice but not near as dear as the slieve donard.

 

[Ethan]

I would suggest Kirkistown Castle, across on the Ards peninsula (short ferry ride), Belfast courses (many choices, my favourites Malone or Belvoir Park), or if you are willing to drive a bit farther, Baltray (Co. Louth), which is across the border down the east coast below Drogheda. It held the Irish Open a few years back (won by Shane Lowry) and is a magnificent links.

 

[richart]

I would suggest Kirkistown Castle, across on the Ards peninsula (short ferry ride), Belfast courses (many choices, my favourites Malone or Belvoir Park), or if you are willing to drive a bit farther, Baltray (Co. Louth), which is across the border down the east coast below Drogheda. It held the Irish Open a few years back (won by Shane Lowry) and is a magnificent links.

Kirkistown Castle look good. Only 6 miles from where we are likely to be staying. Thanks for that one Ethan.

Seems to be a lot of choice, so will have to do some more research.

 

[richart]

Thanks for all the recommendations.:thup:

 

[Ricky w]

Rockmount golf club in carryduff is a nice parkland course, only about 25min drive from Newcastle

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I've played RCD, Ardglass and Kirkistown. I'll give you the run down on them on Monday. I'll also try to find out the name of the place where we stayed :thup:

 

[Hammertoe]

Looked at that but there are 6 of us, and we all want our own rooms.oo: Have found what looks a lovely small hotel in Strangford, not far from Ardglass, the Cuan, which is £250 for four nights, two B & B and two full board. Looks nice and quiet, and has a bar.:thup:

Thanks for that, I will do.

I live over that way and am a member of Kirkistown, I would highly recommend playing it if you get the chance, The Cuan is a lovely hotel as is the Portaferry Hotel, just on the other side of the water. At The Cuan which is round the corner from the ferry terminal (ferry costs £5.80/car and an extra £1.00/person and goes every half hour) you are about 15min drive from Ardglass, 20mins including ferry trip from Kirkistown and 25mins from RCD, the food is also very good in The Cuan. The 3 courses are incredible and Strangford is a perfect base for all. If you need any other info let me know and if you want me to take you round Kirkistown I will happily do so.

 

[richart]

Looked at that but there are 6 of us, and we all want our own rooms.oo: Have found what looks a lovely small hotel in Strangford, not far from Ardglass, the Cuan, which is £250 for four nights, two B & B and two full board. Looks nice and quiet, and has a bar.:thup:

Thanks for that, I will do.

I live over that way and am a member of Kirkistown, I would highly recommend playing it if you get the chance, The Cuan is a lovely hotel as is the Portaferry Hotel, just on the other side of the water. At The Cuan which is round the corner from the ferry terminal (ferry costs £5.80/car and an extra £1.00/person and goes every half hour) you are about 15min drive from Ardglass, 20mins including ferry trip from Kirkistown and 25mins from RCD, the food is also very good in The Cuan. The 3 courses are incredible and Strangford is a perfect base for all. If you need any other info let me know and if you want me to take you round Kirkistown I will happily do so.

Excellent, sounds that by luck I have come up with a good place to stay, near some top courses.

Definitely be up for you joining us. Will get in touch nearer the time.:thup:

 

[kevinmarkham]

Excellent, sounds that by luck I have come up with a good place to stay, near some top courses.

Definitely be up for you joining us. Will get in touch nearer the time.:thup:

RCD's 2nd course (Annesley Links aka Mourne) is a lot of fun and a good warm up for the big course. It was £28 (April 2014), while the big course was £100. It's worth the round as it's tight and it takes you through the Championship course a couple of times - it just whets the appetite.

Can't help you on places to stay, but if you're looking for nearby courses you've already got several suggestions. I'll add a couple more: Clandeboye (Dufferin is the big course) and Scrabo - both in Newtownards, Concra Wood (a lakeside parkland) in Co Monaghan, Lisburn (old parkland) and Greenore (flat, wrapped around the bay). I'm a huge fan of Scrabo - it's hilly, gorse infested, unpredictable and a riot - but I'm sure someone else will tell you I'm mad. Best opening hole in Irish golf!

You'll find photos for most courses on my Flickr page. Some are more extensive than others.

 

[richart]

RCD's 2nd course (Annesley Links aka Mourne) is a lot of fun and a good warm up for the big course. It was £28 (April 2014), while the big course was £100. It's worth the round as it's tight and it takes you through the Championship course a couple of times - it just whets the appetite.

Can't help you on places to stay, but if you're looking for nearby courses you've already got several suggestions. I'll add a couple more: Clandeboye (Dufferin is the big course) and Scrabo - both in Newtownards, Concra Wood (a lakeside parkland) in Co Monaghan, Lisburn (old parkland) and Greenore (flat, wrapped around the bay). I'm a huge fan of Scrabo - it's hilly, gorse infested, unpredictable and a riot - but I'm sure someone else will tell you I'm mad. Best opening hole in Irish golf!

You'll find photos for most courses on my Flickr page. Some are more extensive than others.

Great photos Kevin. :thup: RCD looks amazing, but where are the fairways ?

 

[garyinderry]

RCD's 2nd course (Annesley Links aka Mourne) is a lot of fun and a good warm up for the big course. It was £28 (April 2014), while the big course was £100. It's worth the round as it's tight and it takes you through the Championship course a couple of times - it just whets the appetite.

Can't help you on places to stay, but if you're looking for nearby courses you've already got several suggestions. I'll add a couple more: Clandeboye (Dufferin is the big course) and Scrabo - both in Newtownards, Concra Wood (a lakeside parkland) in Co Monaghan, Lisburn (old parkland) and Greenore (flat, wrapped around the bay). I'm a huge fan of Scrabo - it's hilly, gorse infested, unpredictable and a riot - but I'm sure someone else will tell you I'm mad. Best opening hole in Irish golf!

You'll find photos for most courses on my Flickr page. Some are more extensive than others.

lovely pics from concra! my fav playground! I am going to post the link to those picks on the irish craic classic page to whet the appetite for us in july. are you coming to that?

 

[kevinmarkham]

lovely pics from concra! my fav playground! I am going to post the link to those picks on the irish craic classic page to whet the appetite for us in july. are you coming to that?

Not playing in the event - but due to be at Slieve Russell on the final day. Hoping to get to Concra Wood before then to take some better photos.

 

[garyinderry]

Not playing in the event - but due to be at Slieve Russell on the final day. Hoping to get to Concra Wood before then to take some better photos.

good lad :thup: be sure to take one from the tee box on 15 to get the pulses going!

 

[davidy233]

I'm off to Newcastle on Monday morning - staying here on Monday night. The missus and I are playing Annesley Links at RCD on Monday afternoon and then Ardglass with Malek (thanks for volunteering to show us the way round) on Tuesday morning.

Anyone know if you are allowed to used the RCD clubhouse when playing the wee course? - I know Mourne Golf Club have a clubhouse there too.

 

[Hobbit]

RCD's 2nd course (Annesley Links aka Mourne) is a lot of fun and a good warm up for the big course. It was £28 (April 2014), while the big course was £100. It's worth the round as it's tight and it takes you through the Championship course a couple of times - it just whets the appetite.

Can't help you on places to stay, but if you're looking for nearby courses you've already got several suggestions. I'll add a couple more: Clandeboye (Dufferin is the big course) and Scrabo - both in Newtownards, Concra Wood (a lakeside parkland) in Co Monaghan, Lisburn (old parkland) and Greenore (flat, wrapped around the bay). I'm a huge fan of Scrabo - it's hilly, gorse infested, unpredictable and a riot - but I'm sure someone else will tell you I'm mad. Best opening hole in Irish golf!

You'll find photos for most courses on my Flickr page. Some are more extensive than others.

Sorry for taking the thread off track.

Kevin, really appreciate the pics. Included is a course I was a member of in the mid 70's, Naas. It was only a 9 holer back then.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Dont let the slopey practice greens fool you, the course is actually much harder !! :thup:

Probably the best course you will ever play (IMO)