Portstewart (Riverside)

Stretching to 5,725 yards from the back tees and playing to a par of 68, the Riverside course at Portstewart Golf Club is a gentler option than the mighty Strand which operates from the same clubhouse.

In the book Hooked, author Kevin Markham writes: “Riverside is not about mountainous dunes, pothole bunkers, tee box dilemmas or awe-inspiring shots – it is about a pretty and short course that will be enjoyed by everyone.

It starts and finishes up by the clubhouse where you’ll find the best views, but the holes that drop gently towards the River Bann form the backbone of the course. It is a tranquil, open setting with gorse scattered about fitfully and water features adding some sparkle.”

It was announced in the summer of 2022 that European Golf Design had been appointed to develop a master plan for all three 18-hole courses and practice facilities at Portstewart with the initial focus on the last three holes of the Strand layout.

EGD’s Jeremy Slessor was quoted as saying: “to have the chance to elevate the Strand’s course’s reputation to even greater heights is a genuine privilege. There’s enormous potential to add value to the Riverside course and we hope that the Old course can also benefit from a fresh, modern eye.”