If you love your golf and are intending to be present at Royal Portrush either before, during or post this year’s Open Championship then you need to take yourself to Castlerock Golf Club.

Maybe, you’re thinking of planning a game of golf early one morning before venturing to golf’s oldest major or just make it a longer Irish golfing adventure.

There’s plenty closeby golf courses to choose including Portstewart that’s literally just up the coast road while a little south of where the game’s best will be competing is Bushfoot, a great coastal nine-holer and where, if you’re brave enough, you can park for few hours in Open champ Darren Clarke’s own parking spot.

Then there’s also Castlerock and another of Ireland’s famed links gems awaiting your golfing pleasure.

Castlerock is located around 10 miles or so from Royal Portrush, driving in a slightly south-west direction to Coleraine and then once over the Bann River bridge you turn north and head back towards the coastline and with Castlerock in all its glory just prior to entering the township.

The name Castlerock derives from a black basalt outcrop close to the shore and with the area having been inhabitated from when the hunter-gathers made their way up the river Bann and settled at Mount Sandal some 9,000 years ago.

Castlerock boasts two courses – the 18-hole Mussenden course and the 9-hole Bann course and laid out along the shoreline in trust links manner.

The club has proudly hosted a good number of tournaments including the Irish PGA Championship on four occasion starting in 1912 and also in 1920, 1933, 2001 and when Des Smyth won the title for a sixth occasion and with Paul McGinley posting a course record 64 on route to finishing runner-up.

The club was founded in 1901 as a nine-holer and it was some seven years later that Scotsman Ben Sayers extended the layout to 18 holes.  Sayers was short in stature person at just 5 foot 3 inches but what he lacked in height he was big into golf as evident in finishing second in the 1888 Open Championship and third a year later while he won some 24 times before turning to teaching and course design.

It is understood Harry Colt, who worked with legendary Alister MacKenzie, made further alterations in 1925.  Just over 90-years later in 2017, Martin Hawtree redesigned eight holes to future-proof the layout.

Castlerock is also proudly associated with legendary Fred Daly, who won The Open Championship in 1947 at Hoylake, and was head professional at the club in the 1950s.

Castlerock’s main course is named Mussenden after Mussenden Temple that is perched right on the cliff edge, and standing like a sentry overlooking the sea front as you can gather from the image above. Note the railway line that actually runs through a tunnel cut out of the rock face.

The Mussenden Temple was built in around 1783 by the Earl Bishop and designed by the architect Michael Shanahan. Its design was based on the Temple of Vesta in Italy.

Now let’s head to the club.

I have been fortunate to travel to Northern Ireland many times as supporters of this website will know, so it was a great delight to drive up to the clubhouse for a very first time in June, 2019, and in the company of golf-writing colleagues and great friends Michael Court, Barry Gentle and Paul Bennett.

It was two-fold visit, firstly to finally play the golf course but also to meet-up with Bert MacKay, the club’s then General Manager and Head Professional.  I say ‘then’ as I have learnt that last year (2024) Bert left his role at Castlerock, and along with his young family returned to his beloved Scotland and take-up a similar position with the Links Golf Club, working out of the Spey Bay course located in the north-east corner of Scotland between Lossiemouth and Fraserburgh.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Bert since our ‘unique’ meeting during a media outing at Loch Lomond, and a day arranged by the DP World Tour as a preview outing for then up-coming Scottish Open.  Tour Miss and I were running a little late for the golf outing, so we hurriedly checked-in and headed off down the first to catch-up with our group.

There was the quick introductions but as we progressed one player stood out, as he found the fairway down the second, found the green and he also putted pretty well.  So, in heading down the third and settling into the round Bert and I formally met-up.

“Great to meet you Bert”, I said.  “Gee, you’re hitting the ball really well.  What media outlet do you work for?”

Bert responded: “Oh, I don’t work in the media. I’m the pro here at Loch Lomond”.

We started laughing and me thinking no wonder Bert was making it look easy, hitting the ball so accurately, driving well and comfortable over the putter.

That meeting at Loch Lomond has stayed with Bert and I all these years and every time we’d bump into each other we’d have a good ole giggle about that first coming together and that did not change in shaking hands that day at Castlerock in June 2019.

It’s for this reason I intend to use in this overdue feature article a Castlerock video interview Michael Court and I had with Bert all those years ago. I know Bert won’t mind and I trust if anyone at Castlerock reads this piece they will not disagree.

So, a very warm welcome to the Castlerock Golf club from their then General Manager and Head Professional, Bert MacKay.

Castlerock – The Mussenden Course.

The course is your a quintessential links course and if not for the River Bann it would probably merge with western portion of the Portstewart Golf Club course that is on the far side of the river and form an unbroken area of links courses.

At 6,780 yards and playing to a par 73 off the club’s blue tees, the Mussenden course is a very good test while on a very calm day, and as mentioned above, there’s the chance for a course record as renowned Irish-born golfer Paul McGinley enjoyed in 2001 by posting a course low of 64.

Castlerock boasts five par-5s, three of them over the outward nine and the other two to be found on the inward half.

Akin to so many golf courses, each hole boasts a name and there’s some real beauties at Castlerock that will have you guessing including: Knocklayde and the name for the opening hole while there’s then the long par-4 fifth known as Leg-O- Mutten, the eighth is named Bulldozer, the 12th is called Spoin Kop while the penultimate hole is named Inishowen.

So, lets get our game underway.

Knocklayde at 367-yards is one of those opening holes that kind of throws its arms wide-open, inviting you to tee-up and get your much-awaited game underway..

It doesn’t look too intimidating, playing uphill and also to a raised and narrow green that is well bunkered and sloping from back to front. A good  chance for a starting birdie but then a par is never a bad start to any round of golf.

Now before you head to the second stop for a moment. Turnaround and look back down the first fairway and out into the sea.  Priceless!

The second hole Sconce is just over 30-yards shorter than the first and a genuine local knowledge hole that, if you are playing for a first time, then it would help to have a member point the line as you will spot a marker post that unless it was pointed out to you, you could be wondering where you were you heading.

Look at the image above and you’ll see a marker post sticking out way to the right. That’s the direction of the green. It’s your quinessential definition of a golfing dog-leg.

Longer hitters may aim on the marker pole to reach the green, but a long carry is required and, as you can gather, the tee shot is blind. A more conservative line is down the left side of the fairway that affords an easier approach to a well-guarded green with plenty of contours. As well, there are bunkers on each corner of the green.

The Whins is the third hole and first of the five par-5s, playing 523-yards and ranked the 13th hardest.  The third is also the longest of the par-5s albeit some 10-yards.

Longer drivers must play for the left half of the fairway from the tee, avoiding the fairway bunker. There is a second fairway bunker well placed short right of the green while the green itself slopes from left to right, so it’s best to come in on the right side.

Now has anyone a train to catch?

Now Leg-O-Mutton?  The name Leg-O-Mutton as most of us will recognise is associated with a very lean triangular joint of beef.  It is also why the name given to a leg-of-mutton sleeve in certain elements of a costume or in boating there’s a leg-of-mutton sail. Though, as someone pointed out, it’s also the name of a reservoir/park located alongside the Thames River in London

Here at Castlerock Leg-O-Mutton is the 200-yard par-3 fourth hole and where your focus on the green is key, as you have the railway line running all the way done the right side and there a stream running most of the way down the left but turning further left in reaching the area of the green.

While the stream seems innocent-looking it plays a key in succesfully tackling Castlerock as it comes into play on six holes, and in order of play:  The 4th, 14th, 13th, 12th, 7th and 6th holes, and with the stream eventually meeting-up with the River Bann to the right of the sixth green.

You’re now made your way to the fifth hole and named Railway for obvious reasons, and a hole that reminds me, in a mischievous way of the opening hole at Prestwick in Scotland. If you knew someone who is heading to play golf Castlerock for a first time, you could tell them the joke about the longest drive in golf is off the fifth tee at Castlerock.  It’s the drive that if you wildly mishit your ball right, so far right then it may just find its way onto the 2.25pm train heading to Belfast (smiling).

While the railway line runs parallel and within yards of this 477-yard par-5 hole it is not your danger.  No, that comes about 60-yards out with a bunker right and then two bunkers located very close together just left of the front the green.  A good birdie chance hole but then a great par if ….  you can keep it away from any Belfast-bound train.

I must say here, and being a bit of train buff that it’s always fascinating to stop of a few moments each time a train passes and here at Castlerock also admiring a wonderful-looking building (see photograph) on the opposite side of tracks from the green.

Walking off the fifth green and you’ve now reached the furthermost point away from the clubhouse and now to head in the direction of the sea with the River Bann on your right soon for company.

The sixth hole plays at 347-yards and is a par-4 named Burn and given there for the burn runnning right across the fairway about 15-yards or so shy of the green.  Were already familiar with the burn as it is the same body of water you were first introduced on the fourth tee.

Armchair is the 418-yard par- 4 seventh hole and if you think you’re in for an armchiar-like ride then just a take a look at the stroke index for this hole – No. 1.

The hole is guarded all the way down the right by the River Bann. There’s two bunkers also placed down the right side to catch any wayward drives while the hole width shrinks appreciably about 80-yards or so out from the green.  It is elevated green and all on its lonesome without a bunker for company.

After tackling the hardest hole you stand on the eighth at 411-yards and the No. 3 index hole that is named Bulldozer. 

You could also be probably thing here at the eight you could do with a bulldozer as this hole is a heck of a challenge.  It’s real ‘have your wits about’ you test with all sorts of humps and some hidden hollows among the dunes, particularly on the right side as you get closer to the green.

Also, for a second straight hole you play into a raised green and also again no bunkers though there is enough on your golfing plate to digest without being happy there is no sand traps (smiling).

We come to the ninth a 214-yard par-3 named Quarry and with the green tucked in a secure location guarded by defensive dunes. There is plenty of room left of the green while looking at the photograph, there is a burn of sorts that will collect anything short left.

Quarry – The 219-yard ninth hole is ranked index 17 and a par here would be a good result to take to the inward half.

Coming off nine there’s a inviting halfway house, so grab yourself a snack and/or drink.

Now into the inward nine commencing with the 10th hole, a par-4 415-yard challenge named Fairy Dell, a name that usually refers to a haven for wildlife with steeply-wooded banks, becks, lakes, woodland, and grassy glades though there’s no such haven here at Castlerock.

Looking at the photograph immediately above you can appreciate Castlerock’s true links demeanour … each hole presenting all sorts of humps and hollows down either side of the fairways.

Let’s head to Coastguards and the 16 index par-5 11th hole. As you can gather from the Castlerock video below there is plenty of room to work with at this dog-leg right challenge, including the 7th hole just off to the left and the 12th to your right.

It is also a hole where your back is to the sea, so if it’s blowing then the ball is going run, of course, a little further.

For the history buffs in the group, the 12th hole is known as Spoin Kop, and is the name of the infamous South African hill and scene of the historic 1900 Boer War battle that goes by the same name.  Spoin Kop also is a colloquial name or term for a number of single-tier terraces and stands at sports stadiums, particularly in the United Kingdom.

Here at Castlerock, Spoin Kop is a 430-yard par-4 and heading back in the direction of the sea and back into the wind.

It is the No. 2 index hole with the 11th hole on your right and the 13th to your left, each playing downwind from the sea.  There is plenty of green to work with so do not be intimidated by bunkers front left and also front right.

How’s the view at Swallow Hill?  The 363-yard par-4 13th has you hitting off an elevated teeing ground that affords you a great view of the hole and also two well-placed fairway bunkers, left and right of the fairway about 220-yards off the blue tees.

The club’s website suggests taking the aggressive line down the left-hand side and you can set up a shorter approach but beware of the greenside bunkers both left and right while the stream, we first met on the 4th hole, is present to catch any shot long and right.

I spoke too soon as dear Mick made an unlucky 13th hole splash and looking at the exclusive video below, it appears he lost his prize Hot Dot, sorry I meant Callaway Supersoft.

Though all is not lost as you will see as Mick remains his ever all smiles.

Also, how could you allow a small mishap spoil the bigger picture of playing this great golf course.  So, we moved on with spirits high heading to Corner – 192-yard par-3 14th hole, Index 8.

A very picturesque par-3 where the green is well-guarded. The front bunker does allow a little room for a running approach onto a green surrounded by bunkers – one just shy of the green and three others around the green proper.

Homewards, the par-5 15th at 516-yards is the second-longest at Castlerock.

Standing on the tee, you’re presented with a blind tee shot so aim at the marker so that you’re hitting slightly right over the crest of the hill. The well-placed fairway bunkers well down the right side waiting to catch second shots, so a good lay-up is helpful here before attacking the green.

The 15th also brings you a view of a portion of the township, so there maybe a line into the green you can take off a building or some other feature.

In speaking of views, how about the view awaiting at the appropriately named ‘Summit’, the par-3 16th.

At 157-yards off the blue tees it is also the course’s No. 18 index hole but don’t be fooled here. You are hitting into an elevated green and where the tee shot is typically affected by the wind.  The green itself is protected by two bunkers front right of the green and a pair middle left.

However, good ole Bazza had his hands full getting a good look at the green here on the 16th.  But then all credit, as he’s back on the dance floor.

Okay, let’s focus as there is a match going on that needs to be won and with two holes to play it’s at a tense ‘all-square’ situation walking onto the last of the par-5s at the 17th – Inishowen – playing 493-yards.

Though take a moment before tee-off and appreciate the expansive views down over the River Bann, the Mussenden and Bann courses, the Mussenden Temple on the horizon and Donegal in the distance. On a clear day you might even glimpse Scotland!

The penultimate hole is a downhill short par-5 with a birdie a good possibility, but a narrow fairway sloping from left to right makes accuracy off the tee a priority. The view towards the green is obscured for the approach by dunes, gorse and the enormous fairway bunkers on the right side of the fairway. Picking a line and committing to it is essential for a successful approach.

Another of Dave Cannon’s super aerial shots showing in bottom front of the image the par-3 16th hole and running up the middle of the photograph in the direction of the sea is the downhill 17th.  The building right of the image is the halfway house on the side of the 10th tee.

Okay, let’s head to the last – Mussenden – a not too testing par-4 at 357-yards and given it’s the final hole, let’s have the club advise have the last say on tackling this dog-leg right challenge.

Ted’s (@Ted_Koala) pointing the way …

And, as usual when we get to any 18th hole Ted is there waiting for us ..

A shortest but tricky finishing hole. A dog-leg right to an elevated green, with pot bunkers left and right. Keep your tee shot left, avoiding the dunes on the right to afford a view of the green. Although the clubhouse lies beyond, it is often necessary to club up for the approach shot due both to the elevation change and the prevailing wind.

And in talking of clubhouses, there is that extra mental pressure of having all those inside wondering can you find the green in regulation.

Of course, helping add so much to any game of golf no matter where you may tee-up is sharing the occasion with great friends and colleagues and here I have to thank – from left to right in the image below –  Bazza, Paul and Micky.

I have to say in signing off, I have written just over 260 golf course related features for our website but I do not recall one so lengthy nor presenting so many images and videoes as this latest (February, 2025) feature on Castlerock.

Why? Because I just enjoyed our visit so much and I’ve sought to bring that out in this article. As well, it’s been a few years since our visit so I have been long overdue in sitting down and sharing with you the experience of playing wonderful golf courses at Castlerock.

I trust all this is bourne out in what I’ve written above.

Thank you so much to Bert and to all at Castlerock for a truly memorable golfing experience.

Good golfing,

Bernie

PS:  

I almost forgot the most important item of information.  The match ended all-square.

Well, you don’t think I was going to let any of any of my much-loved, dear friends get away with the ‘W‘.