When looking for information on Bushfoot I was surprised to learn the club was established in 1890. When the first house was built in 1896 it was a convenient location for the electric tram which ran between Portrush and Giant's Causeway. It was the first tream to be powered by hydroelectricity. Only a few years later Miss M Creighton became the club's second Captain....this must have been highly unusual for time...jeepers, its unusual now! Like many courses, the land was used for growing crops during WWI. In fact, the club ceased to operate for the last year or so of the war. Growth was the by-word between the wars. More members required more land to be acquired. In the mid 60s a new course was opened. Over the intervening years many improvements were made to bunkering and tees. The story is not so different to a great many clubs and courses in GB&I.
The start of Bushfoot is electric. The first plays down from the clubhouse level to a fairway adjacent to the River Bush. Playing into a stiff breeze requires two stout strikes to get home. The green is nestled into a hillock.
Behind the green.
The short second plays over a crook in the river. The stone building in the far distance is Runkerry House. Built in 1885, this was a landmark estate overlooking the stones of the Causeway. The manor was given to the government in 1950 to keep it out of the hands of the Catholic Church. After failed attempts by the family to regain the estate, the government sold the buildings which were converted into apartments.
The carry is deceptive due to the raised green.
The green strikes me as modern and not unlike a few at Otway.
Driving beside the hillock which houses 2 & 8 greens, alternative 3 tee and 9 tee; the third is tricky. I belive the real green was being worked on so a temporary green was in place. Sitting under the fold of a mini ridge, this green looked to be a more interesting option.
Another hole alomng the ridge, the 4th features a more "built" green which is a difficult target.
The winter course was still in play so the truncated 4th is a short par 3. One can see the summer tee adjacent the 3rd green. From here a forceful drive along the river must be taken on. The tee is back left. the winter green can just been seen on the right.
A par five back up the hill, the 6th isn't special.
More to follow.
Ciao