Royal Portrush has a storied history in the evolution of golf in Ireland as it prepares to host The Open for a third time
15:43, 12 Jul 2025Updated 15:48, 12 Jul 2025
Royal Portrush will host the Open Championship for a third time(Image: Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Royal Portrush Golf Club’s rich history has been intertwined with the growth of the game in Ireland.
From those early days when it was founded back in 1888 to its Royal Patronage some four years later through to the return of the Open in 2019 the links course has iconic status in the golfing world.
The Dunluce course on Northern Ireland’s north coast has staged two of the most iconic Championships in history with the stage set for the 153rd Open in 2025.
Here are some of the key events in the club’s history:
The Early Days
The club was initially established as County Golf Club in May 1888 before it became the Royal County Golf Club some four years later when the Duke of York became its patron.
Members of the County Golf Club played a key role in the formation of the Golfing Union of Ireland, the first of its kind in the world and in 1893, Portrush became only the third club to join the Ladies Golfing Union.
The club adopted its current name, Royal Portrush Golf Club, in 1895 when the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) became its patron.
Also in that year Lady Margaret Scott won the British Ladies’ Amateur Championship, and Sandy Herd defeated Harry Vardon in Ireland’s first professional tournament.
Change of Course
There was to be a major change for Royal Portrush in 1929 when they recruited celebrated golf course architect Harry Colt on the advice of Sir Anthony Babington.
He was tasked with creating a championship course to challenge the best in the game and the Harry Colt-designed Dunluce Links were officially opened by Sir Percy Greenaway, Lord Mayor of London, in 1933.
Major Acclaim
Royal Portrush created more history in 1951 when it became the first course outside of Great Britain to host The Open Championship with Max Faulkner triumphing over defending champion Bobby Locke.
Amateur Return
In 1993 the club was delighted to welcome back the Amateur Championship in a significant step forward in what had been a difficult period for Northern Ireland.
It was fitting that Royal Portrush member Garth McGimpsey secured a record fifth North of Ireland title.
Senior Status
The Senior British Open became a regular visitor to the north coast in the late 1990s with the tournament played no fewer than six times.
Legendary golfers Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Bob Charles, Hale Irwin, and Tom Kite are some who graced the fairways in that time.
Rory to the Fore
Even as a teenager Rory McIlroy was making headlines in the game and he announced himself at Royal Portrush in style in 2005.
The then sixteen-year-old McIlroy set a course record with a 61 in the North of Ireland Amateur Championship.
Irish Open
After the ‘Major’ successes of Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy speculation was intensifying that The Open would be returning to Northern Ireland.
In 2012 a successful Irish Open was played at Royal Portrush to boost their hopes even further.
Visit by the Queen
The was another crowning moment in 2016 when HRH Queen Elizabeth II attended a civic reception at the Royal Portrush clubhouse.
It was the first time Her Majesty’s has made an official visit to any golf club.
Open For Business
The news was finally confirmed that the Open would be making a return to Royal Portrush after a gap of 68 years.
Shane Lowry delighted the 237,750 spectators in attendance as he lifted the Claret Jug after winning the 148th Open Championship.
Now the Championship returns for a third time this coming week with more record crowds expected.
