Castlerock GC, not far west along the coast from Portstewart and Portrush in Northern Ireland, not only has the 18-hole Mussenden links course but also has……The Bann.
The Bann has been favourably mentioned a few times on GCA but not I believe reviewed in any detail. However, it's a real hidden gem of a 9-hole links course situated next to where the River Bann meets the sea. From many points on The Bann you can see the huge, although unused golf wise, dunes at the far western end of Portstewart GC.
Castlerock GC was almost 'Mary Celeste' like when I was there so I wasn't able to ascertain much of it's history although I was told that The Bann course was apparently built about 15 years ago.
Although the 1st tee and 9th green are located a little way from the Clubhouse the walk to the 1st tee is a walk very much worth making.
From the tee the par-4 1st is a pretty straightforward flattish looking hole with CGC’s very nice practice ground located along the left side. The opening tee shot is one that immediately makes you feel comfortable especially as the hole measures only 300 yds long. About 40 yds short of the green however, there is an innocent looking hump on the left side of the fairway semi-obscuring most of the green. The green itself, which like all bar one on the course, has no bunkers at all, and is much more heavily contoured than it appears. One of those sometimes annoying, yet also splendid holes, where you think birdie on the tee and walk off frustrated with a bogey on the card.
Below - the 1st fairway looking back towards the 1st tee with the town of Castlerock in the background. In the left side of the photo is the rear of the 7th green
Below - the 1st green photographed from the left side
The 2nd hole is a par-4 that measures 370 yds and is a slight dog-leg to the left playing up onto a ridge.
There is a large sand dune directly ahead at which point the hole shapes to the left and gains further height to a small, narrow raised green. All along the left side is traditional links course jungle on the other side of which lies the 5th fairway, which is designated OB from the tee. Short and left the green slopes severely downward and will require an interesting up-n-down.
Below - the 2nd hole from the tee. The 5th hole, the fairway of which is designated OB, is to the left. The 7th fairway is to the right.
Below - the 2nd hole looking back towards the tee from not far short of the green (the OB from the 2nd tee 5th fairway can be seen to the right in the photo)
Below - the 2nd green photographed from the rear - the 5th fairway and the point where the River Bann exits into the sea can be seen to the right of the photo
Below - the left rear side of the 2nd green photographed from the 3rd tee
The par-3 3rd hole is only 90 yds long, but what a 90 yds! There are three crackingly good par-3's on the course of which the 3rd is the first you come too.
A long, narrow, hour-glass shaped green, a enormous drop to right, a lesser, but not insignificant, drop to the left and rough everywhere just off the edge of the green. Wicked yet delightful at the same time.
Here are several photographs that probably describe the hole better than words ever can.
Below - the 3rd green photographed from the tee
Below - what you find front left of the 3rd green - the only bunker on the course, and what an evil little rascal it is!
Below - 2 photos of the the 3rd green photographed from front right and from the mound at the rear of the 2nd green - the rough covered slope to the right is rather deep. The River Bann is in the background.
Below - the 3rd green photographed from lower down the right hand valley
Below - the 3rd green photographed from the upslope to the rear of the 4th green - you can just make out the flag in the centre of the photo
Below - the 3rd green photographed from the left side (ie from the 5th fairway)
Below - two photographs of the 3rd green taken from the back of the green. In the background in the left in the photo set into the dune is the 4th tee
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