An early breakfast at ‘Cul Erg’, our B&B in Portstewart, and we’re off to the Portstewart Golf Club to play the Strand Course.
Portstewart is another of those ‘under the radar’ courses for foreign visitors with a proud history of competition. Designed by Willie Park, Jr., the club has hosted numerous championships over the years – most recently the 2017 Irish Open.
It’s a true gem. Probably the most welcoming club we’ve visited. Everyone from greeter Garth, caddymaster Irene, and forecaddie Morris was almost over the top friendly and cheerful. Morris had one of those caddy quotes we’ll be talking about for years. When asked about a line he suggested ‘hit it at the convent’, a building off in the distance which used to be one. It’s a school now.
The opening hole (and really the whole front nine) is a fantastic routing through coastal dunes. The best greens of the trip. We started off in rain and wind and finished in blue skies and shirtsleeves. Amazing.
I’ve saved the best feature of the course for last.
GUINESS ON TAP AT THE HALFWAY HOUSE!!!!!!
One of the more curious aspects of our trip thus far has been the tap beers at pubs & restaurants. They almost uniformly offer the same options. Guiness, Smithwicks, Tenants, etc. Not bad, but not many options for local beers or real ales. Finally, in Portrush, the ‘Kiwi’ beer bar with a nice selections of craft & local beers!
A late dinner at Amici, an Italian restaurant on the shore, finished the day.
Daily Team Stats:
- Lost Balls – 2
- Bunkers – 10
- Low Gross – Bill @ 85
- Low Net – Bill @ 74
- Birdies – 2: Bill 2
- Dram o’ Day – Bushmill Distillery Reserve
Comments (2)
It’s an instant hot water heater for the Shower , I’ll collect my wee dram in Florida 😁 Doesn’t everyone know that ?
I should have asked sooner!