As an overseas life member at Portrush I too was most concerned about the proposed changes to both courses for the reasons previously mentioned-before I reviewed all the details. I was in Portrush for two weeks in late July when the designs were unveiled to the members. After walking the proposed changes over the "hallowed ground" for the next fews days I was satisfied that the alterations will enhance the Dunluce for top level tournament play without hindering the members abilities. The alterations to the Valley course were my biggest surprise and will offer up 4 new holes that exceed the existing layout IMO - including the replacement of the much loved 5th and 6th holes.
Im sure the members had the same arguments for change back in the late 20's when Mr Colt was brought in to drastically alter the already well regarded championship course. In the day the gutty ball and hickories were replaced by the rubber core ball and steel shafts the same as our present day equipment is destroying the classic courses. If these changes are executed as planned, Portrush is set for another few generations to come.
The Dunluce course will retain the existing 17 and 18th holes and will alter them with two other holes on a rotating basis. They will only be out of play for the Open every 10 or 12 years, when the tented city is required for The Open.
At the Risk of Rambling On- here are a few of the proposed alterations.
1. Dunluce Course
# 1 Add 2 fairways bunkers on right side to tighten up landing area. Add small pot bunker front right of green.
# 2 New green 50 yds behind existing to extend to 577 yds. ( IMO should be another 50 yds longer due to downwind direction)
Add fairway bunker left side landing area
# 4 New back tee to extend to 499 yds. New fairway bunker behind first left bunker.
# 5 Add 3 fairway bunkers right side to cut into corner.
# 7 New hole. Par 5, 572 yds. ( IMO should be another 30 yds longer) Played from elevated tee adjacent to # 6 green- played down into
valley of present day # 5 and 6 of the Valley course but close to the large dunes on the north side. "Big Nellie" bunker, now on # 17
will be re-created on the right side landing area in a huge dune bank. the green will be perched high in the dunes north of the
Valley's 13th tee.
# 8 New hole. Par 4 435 yds. A dramatic par 4 played across a chasm with a severe dune fall off if missed left to an elevated green close
to existing # 8 green.
# 12 ( Current # 10) Par 5 530 yds from new tee directly left of # 9 green in existing small parking lot whihc will be removed. Yardage
may seem short for a championship par 5, but they intend to re-open the stream running across the fairway in low swale in front
of the green as it was a half-century ago.
# 14 ( Currently # 12) new back tee to 464 yds. New fairway bunker on left side landing area. No need to touch the green site that Henry
Cotton stated was " the best in the U.K."
# 16 ( currently # 14- Calamity) New back tee to 230 yds.
Many other tweaks and most holes will have new back tees added for length to bring the championship card to 7,337 yds.
The practice ground for the Open will be located on the existing Valley holes # 4 and # 7.
2. The Valley course.
# 15 New par 3, 171 yds. tee set high in dunes just west behind existing # 16 green. Direction of play is towards the sea.
# 16 New par 5, 490 yds with new tee high in the primary dunes adjacent to the sea to play back to the existing # 17 fairway and then
play the rest of # 17 as is.
# 17 New par 3, 195 yds. from tee close to existing # 18 tee due west to original green site in the dunes now in the par 3 course
which will be enlarged.
# 18 par 4 335 yds. tee in the primary dunes by the beach to new green site in from of the Rathmore clubhouse.
On paper, these are all exciting alterations. The total yardage will remain around 6,338.
Three holes on the par 3 course will be taken out of play to accommodate these changes.