1. Royal County Down
1a. Royal Portrush

RPGC is the most difficult course I've ever played, but RCD just had this unexplainable aura that engulphed us from the moment we got there.  The variety at RCD was slightly more fun, in my opinion.

At RCD we were paired with two women from the GB&I Curtis Cup team on the front 9, and two fine gentlemen from Belfast on the back 9.   At Portrush we were behind a busload of Scottish tourists that shamed their country by playing in 4.5hrs.  I apologize to hp@hc and nregan for letting this effect my opinion of their fine club.

I'm playing Royal Troon in May, so we'll see if it cracks the Top 2.  Hope to play Royal Dornoch and Royal Dublin sometime soon.

 Royal Von Hermsmeyer Ranch National Links  

 

Royal Ballybunion.  

Royal Augusta.
                    Its a new course guys.

How does a course get the royal title?

I think it is as simple as a member of a royal family playing or visiting, in an official capacity. They would move to bestow the royal tag at that time or at some stage shortly after.

There is a great story about how Royal Queensland won the tag, decades ago.

Royal Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide (all state capitals) had already been anointed. Brisbane (Queensland's state capital was rumoured to be next). Officials from Queensland GC allegedly intercepted the royal party on arrival into town, and took them to their course, instead of Brisbane GC, and subsequently, earned the royal mantle.

Wonder if it's true?

It happened decades ago and is possible....

Matthew

Thanks for clearing that up Andrew.
I should have known it was too good a story to be true...

MM