Royal County Down - Championship Links

About the club

Several legendary architects have had a hand in making the Old Course at Royal County Down one of the most celebrated in golf. Tom Morris was responsible for the first design, while today's course is mainly the work of Harry S. Colt, and recent renovations by Donald Steele prepared the course to host the Walker Cup in 1997. The location is scenic, on dunes that extend south from Belfast and are overlooked by the Mountains of Mourne, so most of the holes offer picturesque scenery. The fairways move between the sand and the cliffs along the beach, and are defined by golden broom grass from April to June. A standout among the many unforgettable holes is the 9th, which starts with a drive, framed by hills and a church steeple, some twenty yards down to the fairway. Every player should try to play the Old Course at least once.