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Tony_Muldoon

  • Karma: +0/-0
RCD and Portrush.
« on: July 19, 2011, 04:49:41 PM »
Have the recent wins by McDowell, McIroy and Clarke affected your desire to play these courses in any way?
Let's make GCA grate again!

George Pazin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: RCD and Portrush.
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2011, 04:54:10 PM »
Makes me hate my life just a wee bit more. :)
Big drivers and hot balls are the product of golf course design that rewards the hit one far then hit one high strategy.  Shinny showed everyone how to take care of this whole technology dilemma. - Pat Brockwell, 6/24/04

Shane Wright

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: RCD and Portrush.
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2011, 05:07:46 PM »
There is hardly a day that goes by that I don't dream about getting back there to play RCD and Portrush.

What I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing in the media and on twitter is how often McDowell, McIlroy, and Clarke reference Portrush.  It is like their little playground, their safe haven from the world.  I often hear of their matches, scores, gambling, at Portrush.  It is their sandlot.  It is their culture.   

And after hearing them mention it several times this week, I can't get back there fast enough.  They are two different clubs but both very special. 

If you haven't gotten married yet and haven't been there, book the trip immediately, you will never regret it. 

Melvyn Morrow

Re: RCD and Portrush.
« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2011, 05:15:30 PM »

Tony

NO, not for me.

Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt, in fact lived the Dream (and boy did I have some big wet dreams, thats why its always so green overthere  ;) ).

Melvyn


hhuffines

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: RCD and Portrush.
« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2011, 05:19:33 PM »
RCD absolutely, Portrush not quite as much...

Bill Brightly

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: RCD and Portrush.
« Reply #5 on: July 19, 2011, 08:14:51 PM »
I absolutely fell in love with RCD the first time I saw it. I began planning my return trip as soon as I put the flag back in the cup on 18... (And played it again within 12 months :) ) I've said this before, but I describe RCD as a superb links course that was "finished off" by a world class artist adding touches of incredible beauty.

I played Portrush in a 30 mph wind and while I appreciated the raw beauty and excellence of the course, it is just too hard (in those winds) for me, and I am a 3 handicap (a USA parkland 3 handicap...) I will definitely go play it again, but it does not hold the allure of RCD for me. (And the second time I played RCD I got my butt kicked by 30 mph winds... but somehow I enjoyed it more, if that makes any sense.

Michael Underwood

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: RCD and Portrush.
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2011, 02:18:57 PM »
I have the desire to play RCD and Royal Portrush again regardless of who wins what on the tour.  Both of those clubs are so pure it is hard to get them out of my mind.  Played them in 1998 and made the return trip in June 2011.  Already trying to figure out when I am going again.  It will not be 13 years between visits! ;D

Brent Hutto

Re: RCD and Portrush.
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2011, 02:32:08 PM »
I can't recall anything happening on the professional tours ever having much effect on my own desire to play. Then again I missed both weekend rounds of Rory's recent Open win because I was out on the golf course at the time.

Jim Tang

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: RCD and Portrush.
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2011, 03:33:42 PM »
How about just wanting to get back to Ireland for Irish golf, in general?  What a magical place, in so many ways.

I think it is very cool the Irish lads still referrence Portrush in interviews and make an effort to get back there and play.  The locals must be very proud.
« Last Edit: July 21, 2011, 09:02:07 PM by Jim Tang »

JMEvensky

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: RCD and Portrush.
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2011, 03:45:02 PM »

How about just wanted to get back to Ireland for Irish golf, in general?  What a magical place, is so many ways.



+ 1,000,000

Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: RCD and Portrush.
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2011, 07:21:07 PM »
I have the desire to play RCD and Royal Portrush again regardless of who wins what on the tour. 

Likewise - though if I had to choose - my desire is much greater to see RCD again.

Bob_Huntley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: RCD and Portrush.
« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2011, 07:31:41 PM »
Is it possible the Northern Irish pros prefer Portrush to RCD because the place is a little more democratic?

Bob
« Last Edit: July 21, 2011, 08:52:52 PM by Bob_Huntley »

Brent Carlson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: RCD and Portrush.
« Reply #12 on: July 21, 2011, 07:39:46 PM »
Last summer I did play both of these courses.  And yes, I would like to get back someday.

Royal Portrush is such a good test of golf.  Throw in the friendly atmosphere and what a club!  It was one of the most difficult driving courses I've ever played.  I can see why the pros enjoy playing there.

J Cabarcos

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: RCD and Portrush.
« Reply #13 on: July 22, 2011, 07:46:18 PM »
Brent, you nailed it.  I played Royal Portrush last summer and concur with regards to the importance of the tee game.  I wished the heather in Portrush was less thick.   Once your in it, your hacking it out a couple of yards to the fairway. One can not begin to compare the rough there to rough elsewhere in the Emerald Isle.   The rough there is basically well hydrated mountain bush with lots of leaves and twigs, not just thick grass.  I was told from folks at the Portrush clubhouse that the course used to have a tamer rough with wider fairways.  Apparently, the members at Portrush have a developed a sadistic streak  (a la Oakmont)  Outside of greenside maintenance, the greenskeepers were also probably told to spend more time at the local Pub than on the course.  Everything being said, I would go back in a heartbeat.  For those who have not gone, I believe the shoulder seasons are quite playable and the airfare from the States reasonable.

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