Donaghadee

Situated on the North Down coastline, the original Willie Fernie-designed 9-hole course at Donaghadee Golf Club opened on 28th July 1899. The modern day 18-hole layout extends to just over 6,000 yards, playing to a par of 71.

In the book Hooked, author Kevin Markham writes: “the course is an interesting mix that combines parkland, heathland and links but there is nor one flat hole here. For the most part it is open and exposed – almost bare – but the sparse trees that dot the early links-like fairways are countered by bigger trees inland.

The course is mown throughout so there’s lots of room to play and almost every flag is in view. The green complexes are a different matter: the bunkering is excellent, well-shaped and tough. Greens are smallish, smooth and have little rises in them, which can playfully take a short ball and toss it in a bunker.”