Royal County Down, Annesley Links

[Adam Lawrence]

I was at RCD today. The prime reason for the trip was to see the new holes that Martin Ebert has built on the second course, the Annesley. They're at the far end of the property, in the big dunes, and right down by the water. Very good and very spectacular.

More than this, though, I was blown away by how cool the Annesley is. Yes, it's _extremely_ short -- not that much more than a par 3 course in truth -- and the first few holes are on bland land. But, hole after hole, it presents interesting challenges and spectacular views. I loved it.

Next time I go back to RCD it'll be a 36 hole day, one round on each. I couldn't do twice round the big course, it would overwhelm me. But a good lunch with a few glasses of wine, and then out for a happy face spin round the Annesley? I can't imagine anything nicer.

[Jeff Johnston]

good to read that Adam re the new holes - they certainly look good in any pics going around.

I've only played the Annesley once but it certainly has a quality / atmosphere that's hard to put your finger on. It's almost like a secret little course at times - you chance upon these fun holes each in their own little fold or valley, a bit like the 13th on the big course in miniature (maybe no coincidence as a lot of its land is out around the 13th).

Sounds like a nice day in the planning there - bookended by overnighting in the Slieve Donard Hotel and what could be better...

[Bob_Huntley]

Jeff,

The last time I was at the Slieve Donard Hotel, must have been thirty odd years or so ago, I walked into the Grand Ball Room.  It was so large it could have hosted an indoor football game.  Is it still in use?

[John Kirk]

Hi Bob,

The ballroom is still in use.  As a devoted fan of Van Morrison, I've been agonizing whether to travel to Northern Ireland to see Van perform for two nights at the Slieve Donard in late August, part of a series of events around his 70th birthday.  The ballroom is set up for a dinner show, with 39 tables set up for 350 people.

Play Royal County Down, go to dinner show at the hotel, two days in a row....I know quite a few people who will be there.  Dang!

Although you probably don't care for this level of detail, here's the seating chart from Ticketmaster:

http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/van-morrison-dinner-show-newcastle-20-07-2015/event/38004D79D7A81797?artistid=770768&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1

[Jeff Johnston]

Bob, as John says, the ballroom is still in full working order  - you'll have to come back and see it again soon 

They still don't serve Guinness anywhere in the hotel however - a criminal oversight...

[jeffwarne]

I played the Annesley back in '97, which was my third trip to RCD.
the first few holes were a bit bland, but after that there were some spectacular holes albeit many on a smaller scale.
the perfect after lunch 18.
Definitely will have a look now that they're added some spice.

[Bill_McBride]

John, two ticks off the bucket list, what could be better?   And Newcastle is a nice town for walking about.

When I was there during the 2007 Walker Cup, Mark Rowlinson and I were wandering around a bit when I realized we were on a golf course, the wee links.  It's that low key.  

[Ed Tilley]

It looks to me like these 2 new holes go from and back to near the 3rd green on the championship course. Would it be possible to get these holes in a composite championship course should the Open come calling? Are they good enough? What length / par are the new holes?

It looks like you could potentially leave out 11 and 17 on the main course with a bit of a walk between tees - and/or new championship tees further back on 12 and 18. Obviously this would remove the current 2 loops of nine but, as this would only be a temporary solution for major events, this wouldn't be an issue. At least we wouldn't have to hear people banging on about the pond on 17!

[Ed Tilley]

My mistake - there are 3 new holes. Same question though - would all or some of these holes improve the championship course and /or be able to be fitted in to a workable routing.

[Thomas Dai]

See also -

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,53841.0.html

and

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,45368.0.html

Looks a right cracker. What a fabulous course for a young junior to learn to play on.........and for numerous others to have fun playing as well.

atb

[Thomas Dai]

I recently had the opportunity to visit Royal County Down and both play the Championship and the not often mentioned but rather nice Annesley course.


While there I took some photos of how one of the new par-4's on the Annesley is progressing.











Looks like it will be a terrific hole played from a high tee down into the valley.


I didn't get to see or take photos of the other two new holes, the ones on the beach side of the huge dune.


The Annesley 'as-is' is a splendid wee course. Short on the card but well up there in the enjoyment factor and these three new holes should take things forward a further step.


If you go to RCD try to play the Annesley course as well as the Championship course. The Annesley is only £25 and it's worth every penny.


atb