Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Sean_A on June 25, 2009, 04:42:07 AM
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Our last game in Ireland on this trip was reserved for Portstewart. I hadn't seen the course since 2009 and was keen to return. My memory of the front nine as a set of holes that could be latched onto Carne without one noticing any difference in design principles was accurate. It is without doubt one of the wildest rides one can have playing golf. Some years ago, one of the principals of the club, Des Griffin, was charged with designing seven new holes in huge dunes and he chose to leave what he could to mother nature. This part of the course is so different from the practiced hand of Colt at nearby Portrush that it is almost like a kick in the head. With all the modern design formulas and pat design methods we tend to forget that at one time golf used to be more like the front nine of Portstewart. That isn't to say a more experienced archie couldn't have created a dramatic set of holes while still making them more playable than the current version, but it is refreshing to cast an eye over wild ground knowing the designer was probably flying by the seat of his pants and with a very small budget.
Despite its faults, I think Portstewart is a success and a decent degree of credit must go to the back nine as well. The land is certainly less rambunctious, but there are several fine holes which would compliment the best of courses. Finally, while generally not terribly creative with some notable exceptions, the greens were in excellent condition. They were firm and running at a proper speed of 9-10 (these days, I find links usually running at 7ish) which made putting and chipping a challenge. The greens didn't look all that great, but they ran as well as at Nairn and Kiawah - the best conditioned sets of greens I have seen in a long time.
The opener is truly memorable. The Strand is to the right and the fairway to left. One must keep left for a view of the green on the approach. The hole is let down slightly by the extreme flatness of the green, but this is still a great intro to Portstewart. The mass of gorse on the right was cleared.
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If possible, the 2nd kicks it up a gear or two with a crazy looking hole that doesn't seem to have much room to swing away. Flat bellies can reach the plateau short of the right green-side bunker, but the rest of us have to decide to layup or try to run one up to or past the narrow left side of the fairway.
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I usually find drop shot short holes to be among the least interesting type of par 3. At least Portstewart's 3rd has the interesting take of not wanting to be long as the chip/putt back is tricky. It was immediately apparent that all the gorse to the rear of the green was cleared. Before and after.
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4 is a very difficult three-shotter which snakes its way through the dunes. Once again, gorse on the right was cleared. There used to be an asphalt path in the foreground that is no longer. It is great the club is starting to embrace the idea of visual minimalism.
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One can see the huge false front making this approach very dicey. The player has to carry the centre of the green or bail a bit left, from where its a tough two putt.
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We now turn back and face the brutal 5th. This has to be one of the hardest par 4s I have ever encountered. All seems well from the tee. This photo is forward of the tee on the left dune.
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A long drive can still leave 200ish yard approach. This is a huge green of some 55 yards in length and the flag was ALL the way back in true sucker position. From here one can see the problems posed for the guy who can't reach in two.
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The uphill nature of the approach is more evident when looking back at the tee.
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We turn once again to play a great little par 3. Nothing but a distance control shot will do as the green falls away on three sides. I really like how the green is peninsula-like as it is attached to the dune. I suspect the dune was topped on the left side to create the green. The surface is very tricky for those who cheat a bit right hoping for some saving grace from the dune as it slopes toward the front. I am not sure the bunkers add anything to the design unless stopping balls from running to valley floor is the goal.
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A look at the green from on high.
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The weather gets serious around Portstewart.
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The 7th is a reachable par 5 if one wants to take on the risks off the tee and the approach. An odd hole; the 8th is blind off the tee and turns about 90 degrees to the left. One can take on the corner, but I am not sure much advantage is gained as bunkers and harsh rough out right await the less than perfect strike. This green is one of the notable exceptions and has a lot of undulations.
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The bunkering on this hole doesn't look the part. In truth, if possible, Portstewart is the sort of terrain which would suit more natural style bunkers. The pots often look out of place.
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The viewer is probably wondering how playable this course is in a 25mph wind....it is very harsh indeed. The course is fairly long from the daily tees, some 6600 yards, the greens are quick, the driving and approaching is exacting. I think Portstewart is every bit as difficult as Portrush.
The 9th is another demanding drive requiring a bit of shape to the right or a layup.
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From wedge range it is possible to see the typical green at Portstewart. Rather than undulations, the greens tend to be tilted making putting/chipping from the high sides difficult.
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The back 9 starts with an interesting hole which leads to less interesting land down by the River Bann. Its hard to figure where to place a drive for the humpty bumpty approach to a front to back running green. Details; the black path is bad enough, but why place a rubbish bin there?
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The grand golf continues on the 11th. The land pushes shots toward the bunkers and blind approach positions.
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I like the drive, but the approach makes the hole. The green is very similar to #5.
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Behind the green.
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Despite the somewhat unforgiving nature of some shots, my biggest criticism of the course are the par 3s. Not much imagination went into the design of a few of them.
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The three-shot 13th starts out well, but finishes rather tamely on over-bunkered flat land. #14 takes us back to proper links and a tumbling par 5 which is great fun. I may be wrong, but I think the tee shot has been changed. It seems more enclosed in dunes now. The second half of the hole still plays over rollicking terrain.
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Yet another drop shotter - heavy sigh.
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A side view.
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The 16th is a cracker! It plays longer than its 389 yards and will likely have a blind second. Even from well in front of the driving zone the green is hard to see. Perhaps its that brand new clubhouse which distracts us! It is a true gin palace and not a little ott. Even so, it is far better than what existed previously and offers delicious views of the course.
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We are greeted with another blind drive for 17. Once cresting the hill the volcano green is on display.
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On a lightly bunkered course I believe the 18th is the only hole with bunkers protecting both sides of the fairway - that has to be a good thing! As with a great many holes, our visuals are messed with. It is problematic to get a handle on how far a tee shot will go because of the uphill/downhill nature of the terrain. Other than the wind, this may be Portstewart's greatest asset. The approach is very demanding due to the green running away from the fairway and the sheer length into the wind.
That then is Portstewart. Blessed with some of the best dunes in golf and a possessor of the problems that can come with such wild land. Even with the three or four holes which are less than what they could be, I have to say I have a lot of time for the course. The unpredictable nature of the game is well in evidence at Portstewart, much like it is at Carne. I do believe the course is a bit unforgiving in the wind and especially tough for high cappers, but I thought that about much of Portrush. For some reason Portrush gets a pass as a "championship" course while Portstewart is often deemed too difficult for holiday golf. To me, its all just golf and we should give credit where credit is due. 1* 2022
As an aside, Portstewart has three courses. The course adjacent to the back nine of the Strand (main course) looked to have been worked on. It's much flatter than the Strand, but there could be some interesting stuff.
I think my age is starting to tell on these links trips. More and more I find myself seeking out forward tees and cozy bars. It may be surprising, but my favourite of the three courses on this trip is the least heralded, Portrush Valley Links. It isn't a world class course (whatever that may mean), particularly unique or necessarily one of the courses one would seek out on a trip to the area, so I wouldn't give it a star. It is, however, plenty good enough for the likes of me and sums up what I like best about golf; affordable green fees, good golf terrain with some hard and easy shots, but most of all, interesting shots. Holes like the 5th of VL are why I enjoy the game and find myself seeking out the second and third tier courses of GB&I. This is where my future lies in the game.
Ciao
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Once again, Sean, my already strong desire to play a course has kicked up another gear after seeing this - and the Portrush threads. Thanks. Did you guys play Castlerock as well?
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Sean,
Once again a great pictorial; I played Portstewart about 8 years ago. Do you know anything about the history of the course? When I was there a few holes seemed new, ie 2-6? but others seemed quite old ie 16-18?. Maybe it is just my imagination, but I wonder if you had the same feeling.
We were told at the time that Darren Clarke, although not quite a flatbelly, once drove the greenside bunker on two...
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Sean:
When I saw the title of your thread, my first two thoughts were:
1) Not! and
2) Actually Sean would probably enjoy Portrush (Valley) the most of those three courses up there.
Glad to see you got to the same conclusion about the second point, anyway. As to the first, I think it would be easy to get Dunluce ahead of Portstewart in your thoughts if they gave either one of us a fairway mower and a day to reset their priorities.
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Sean great photos. Played Portstewart twice at the beginning of June. Our group really enjoyed the course. Obviously a tale of two nines. Almost like playing nine on Glashedy and nine on the Old at Ballyliffin. We were joined by a group of member/caddies, including a past captain, who could not have been more hospitable and proud of their club. Justifiably so. The stretch of 4-7 is as good as any links golf I have played.
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Cristian W. -
Yes, holes 2-6 are quite new relative to the rest of the course. I know those holes were in play when I was there in 1994. I believe those holes were built a few years before then.
DT
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Well done Sean....I just wanted to say that I enjoy all of your photo tours. Keep em coming.
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8) ;D ;)
Sean , great sutff .....Portstewart was on the itinerary of our Northern Ireland trip a few years ago...it was fabulous ! However , I do think it falls short of both Portrush and Royal County Down in a closer than expected comparison. The par threes at the aforementioned courses are superior to those at Portstewart , though the 6th ( the short par three) was quite special .
We played it in September and all the conditions were superior, but the weather was awful. The day we played Portstewart it alternated from cool and breezy at the start, with a torrential downpour in the middle holes , then hot and humid at the finish....all in all the weather was frightful for most of our trip, and I'm not real particular ( about weather LOL)
The finishing holes are quite good at PStewart , but there is a lull on the holes running along the canal, good holes , but nothing like the start .....the second hole was one of the neatest "quirky" holes I've ever played . The start is quite good, and after four holes you could be four over or two under without hitting it much different , quite the challenge for precise yardage and icourse management.
Portstewart is a real treat , and a must play when in the north of Ireland.....!!!
p.s our caddies an interesting group of members , locals were just great
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Thanks all.
Christian
I don't know much about Portstewart though Willie Park Jr was meant to have been involved.
Tom D
You are wrong and right. I do think that as the courses stand today there isn't enough difference (mainly the quality of the short holes to place Portrush and Portstewart in separate classes. P'rush blows P'stewart away with its par 3s, P'stewart's greens are in superior condition - to the point where it is VERY noticeable. I also think Portrush is a better shaped course. The detail is much better. However, if the mower was taken to Portrush and they improved the quality of their greens there is a strong possibility it could go to another level. Portstewart doesn't have that luxury because its ferocity mainly comes from lay of the land design rather than rough.
People seem to say the back 9 is somehow lacking at Portstewart. There are quite a few good holes there and a welcome respite from the crazy/difficult holes on the front.
Ciao
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Sean - another great review - thanks for doing all of these.
But you missed one question.. did you play Castlerock?
That's a personal fave of mine as my cousin is a member (and one time club champ).. which I have mentioned several times in here.. in fact ad nauseam. Love the place. In fact man you shoulda warned me, I would have set you up with him at any of these courses and he would have been happy to host you at Castelrock.. he is a truly great great man and any match with him is a pleasure indeed. Oh well, next time.
;D
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Sean:
Interesting comments on green conditioning. When we played RPR and PS at the beginning of June, all of the greens were slow but the greens at RPR were a bit quicker. The greens on the front at PS were also significantly quicker than on the back.
I usually end these trips with a round in or around Dublin and the greens at Portmarnock were much much quicker and more true than anywhere else we played on the trip.
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Thanks Sean, for bringing back some great memories. I played Portstewart 8 years ago and absolutely loved it. Great links golf, not the best "classic" course but great fun.
As for wind, the first day we were to play it, the course was actually closed because of high winds - I am guessing in excess of 50 mph. The next day it was down to a "manageable" 35 mph, the idea of shooting any kind of score was laughable but very interesting to see what could be done with the golf ball.
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Sean A:
Be curious to know from your time at Portstewart -- how wide are the fairways and is there enough playable rough grass to permit approach play. My memory from my lone visit there a few years back was that the course had more playability than Dunluce which at the time I played it was quite a bit narrower and had hay-like rough just a few yards off any number of the holes.
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Guys
I grew up on Portstewart, being a member there most of my life until 2-years ago, when it finally dawned on me that I am in the States for good (15-years and counting). The new holes (2-8) were indeed designed by Des Giffin, ad 5-handicapper at the time and school teacher. A great guy really, and the club saved mucho $$ by using Des versus a name archie. They are some of the best holes on the course, as many here have eluded to, and it really is another special place in the world of golf.
Matt - the fairways are considerably wide the RPGC and also the rough is not quite as think and gnarly as Portrush. RPGC also has an irrigation system whereas P'Stewart does not, so the fairways to me run out much more at P'Stewart.
Quite possibly one of the best opening tee shot VIEWS in all of golf, and I always felt 1-over thru 5 was a great start. Wonderful members, many of whom caddie for visiting Americans (including myself at one time which explains why I am now in the golf business in the US - thanks Jay). If you are ever there, say hi to Michael Moss the GM for me, Alan Hunter the long time Pro and Del our bar manager.
Ian Dalzell
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Sean A:
Be curious to know from your time at Portstewart -- how wide are the fairways and is there enough playable rough grass to permit approach play. My memory from my lone visit there a few years back was that the course had more playability than Dunluce which at the time I played it was quite a bit narrower and had hay-like rough just a few yards off any number of the holes.
Matt
Portrush still has harsh rough not far off fairways. Contrary to popular belief, this is its greatest weakness. Offer another 10 yards of fairway and get the greens rolling properly and Portrush is as good as they come. For the most part I think Portsewart's fairways are a smidgen wider and the rough is a tad less harsh in places. Porstewart becomes problematic because of the rugged terrain. Sometimes there is little space to hit shots - sometimes tighter than anything at Portrush - on some holes misses can be far less forgiving.
Ciao
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Tacking this query/request for advice on to what seems like the most appropriate thread - a very nice photo tour thread by the way - I could find.
Question/request for advice - is there a more difficult and more brutal, both to play and to walk, stretch of links golf in GB&I than holes 1 to 9 on Portstewarts Strand course?
All the best
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Thomas, as Exhibit A I would put up the Sandy Hills course at Rosapenna - I believe the designer (Mr Ruddy) and owners set out with the intention of creating a big, hairy links, and by God they succeeded. Links golf on steroids - lots of elevation changes, shots across dune valleys etc. It is 7 or 8 years since I was there and I think they have intentionally thinned out a lot of the really hairy rough since - need to get back and see it again. Plus it is in one of the loveliest spots on earth, with a magnificent pub just round the road too (Harbour Bar).
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So we have Rosapenna's Sandy Hills as a suggestion for a more difficult and more brutal stretch of links golf in GB&I, both to play and to walk, than the first-9 at Portstewarts Strand course.
Are there any others that compare or exceed 1-9 of the Strand at Portstewart?
I've heard/read herein how the Cashen course at Ballyliffin is pretty difficult/brutal to play/walk. How does the Cashen compare to the first-9 at Portstewart (Strand)?
All the best
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I've heard/read herein how the Cashen course at Ballyliffin is pretty difficult/brutal to play/walk. How does the Cashen compare to the first-9 at Portstewart (Strand)?
The Cashen is very difficult to walk, although they eased it up a bit when they took out the original 12th hole, which was up on the dune tops. However it is much shorter from the back tees than Portstewart or Sandy Hills, so not as difficult to play except on a pound-for-pound basis.
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"Question/request for advice - is there a more difficult and more brutal, both to play and to walk, stretch of links golf in GB&I than holes 1 to 9 on Portstewarts Strand course?"
Thomas D. -
As noted in my prior post, it has been some time (now 19+ years) since I played Portstewart, but I don't remember the front-9 there being especially "brutal" to play or walk.
DT
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I don't agree that Sandy Hills is a difficult walk. There are no really tough climbs, just a few blind drives uphill. I also think the difficulty factor of Sandy Hills is overplayed. I played the course a couple of years ago and was a little bemused with all the talk of brutality. I had read a lot on this site about how tough it was, but that certainly wasn't my experience, and I'm not a great player.
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Fair play Donal - I just recall feeling more beaten-up there post-round (and at times during) than anywhere else (although 36 at Ballyliffin the day before might have played a part in that). As I say though, this is going back 7 or 8 years - I need to get back and see it again.
Where would you put up as tough plays / walks in GB&I?
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PS - David Tepper, I'm with you on the playability / walkability of Portstewart's front 9. The gradients aren't out of the ordinary and the golf is testing but fair - albeit that the 5th is as tough a par 4 as you'll play IMO (particularly given their penchant for cutting the hole on the furthest, tiniest shelf of that looong green).
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As to the walkability of the front-9 at Portstewart, I was there recently and although going up severe slopes is pretty fatiguing it was difficult to even keep control of an electric power trolley on several of the downslopes from the tees - 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th come to mind plus other spots like at the dog-leg at the corner of the 8th fairway.
I ought to mention that I played Portstewart from the white blocks. Maybe from the yellows it's quite a bit softer. As to the 5th hole that Jeff mentions, it certainly is one tough hole and that green really is a long one - I've quite a nice photo of the green taken from the left side but can't upload it via Imageshack, too big I-S says, guess that means to many bites. Any ideas how to post it?
So are there any other contenders other than the shorter Cashen and maybe SH/Rosapenna for a more difficult walk/play stretch of links holes in the UK&I than the front-9 at Portstewart? The front-9 at Perranporth is a tough walk but not as tough to play. A few others, Carnoustie comes immediately to mind, are damn tough to play and then a bit more tough on top, but a much easier walk.
A challenge can be a terrific experience so I'd like to know where else to target for a future really tough links visit.
All the best.
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Tacking this query/request for advice on to what seems like the most appropriate thread - a very nice photo tour thread by the way - I could find.
Question/request for advice - is there a more difficult and more brutal, both to play and to walk, stretch of links golf in GB&I than holes 1 to 9 on Portstewarts Strand course?
All the best
If you're looking for a 9 hole stretch, I suggest 4-12 at Askernish.
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"Question/request for advice - is there a more difficult and more brutal, both to play and to walk, stretch of links golf in GB&I than holes 1 to 9 on Portstewarts Strand course?"
Thomas D. -
As noted in my prior post, it has been some time (now 19+ years) since I played Portstewart, but I don't remember the front-9 there being especially "brutal" to play or walk.
DT
Agreed. I played it 4 years ago (2012) when I was 70 and don't recall it being a tough walk, although I suppose you might say I cheated since I used a pull trolley rather than carry my bag.
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Sean,
On the basis of this review I squeezed in a visit to Portstewart last Friday, before flying home from the BUDA visit. I'm very glad I did.
First, given my liking for Muirfield and the fact that it's clear that we have slightly different biases when it comes to difficulty, I didn't expect to agree that PS is the equal of PR (which is one of my favourite of all courses) and I didn't. It is, however, very, very good. There were gale force winds in Northern Ireland last Friday afternoon and the wind was getting up when I played in the morning. It was also a slightly unusual wind, in that it was straight down the 18th, which became a drive and a short iron!
There's a lot to really like at Portstewart. The 1st tee shot is a spectacular one but, like you, I found the rest of the hole a little mundane. I really can't see it as one of the best in Europe, as claimed. I really liked 2, however, though in the wind I had it played very long. The par 3s are, as you identify, a weakness, though 3 may be the best of a relatively samey bunch. There's no doubt that Portrush wins very comfortably on par 3s! The par 5s, on the other hand are a very, very good set and 4 really sets the tone for them. Not over long (though brutal in the wind!) but really testing. It also was the first example of a feature which Portstewart has a lot of, a substantial valley or hollow immediately before the green.
Whilst the front 9 is more spectacular I agree with you that the back 9 is very strong, too. The entire course is a really good test of driving and makes great use of the terrain. I didn't find it that bad a walk (though on the back of a trip that took in Carne, Enniscrone, Strandhill and Ballyliffin Glashedy, the joy of short green to tee walks may have clouded my judgment) at all. As I mentioned, I played in strong winds (perhaps 25 mph by the end, certainly on the verge of playability) but still found the course very playable. They have the Irish Open there next year, so it will be very interesting to see how the pros cope. If they get winds like I saw, it could be very interesting indeed.
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Mark,
What did you reckon of the others you played after Strandhill and before Portstewart?
Atb
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David,
Absolutely loved Cruit Island. It's just a beautiful place. I think we had expected a real dumb blonde but the golf is much better than that.
Narin & Portnoo might have been my favourite course of the week. Stunning views (not quite at the Cruit level but absolutely stunning nonetheless) but some really serious golf and a better walk than many, though the routing around 16 is a bit of a disaster. 2-4 are slightly mundane but good holes, after which it really kicks into gear.
Ballyliffin is an extraordinary dunescape but I was a bit disappointed with the Glashedy. No doubt it's a good course but it didn't appeal to me in the way that N&P or, for instance, Enniscrone or Strandhill did.
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Mark,
Thanks for these thoughts which are akin to mine from various visits.
A shame you didn't get to play the Old at Ballyliffin. A Ballyliffin member described to me the Glashedy as being made by lots of men with lots of big machines whereas the Old was made by one man with a hand mower. Kind of sums of modern vrs long-time-golf in many ways.
Atb
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Mark
I don't think P'stewart should be the equal of P'rush, but with the strangling rough at P'rush it is very close for me. Lets hope holding the Open doesn't narrow the course even more, but I have little faith in the R&A process ::)
Ciao
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Portstewart (Strand) isn't as good as Royal Portrush Dunluce, the more-so now that the Dunluce, at least The Open version, won't have the old 17th and 18th but will have what appear to be two cracking new holes from the Valley courses land instead.
There is a lot of land at Portstewart however...and Portstewart already have two further 18-hole courses, so what could potentially be done with some desire and a cash injection, well that could make things a different story.
Atb
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Mark
I don't think P'stewart should be the equal of P'rush, but with the strangling rough at P'rush it is for me. Lets hope holding the Open doesn't narrow the course even more, but I have little faith in the R&A process ::)
Ciao
Equally, let's hope the same doesn't happen at Portstewart with the arrival of the Irish Open!
Incidentally, I popped along to Portrush after my game at Portstewart to exchange a shirt I bought there last year and bumped into the European Ryder Cup captain, who was just popping out for a game.
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There's a lot of earth moving going on on the back nine of The Strand course. Any idea what that is about?
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Portstewart (Strand) isn't as good as Royal Portrush Dunluce, the more-so now that the Dunluce, at least The Open version, won't have the old 17th and 18th but will have what appear to be two cracking new holes from the Valley courses land instead.
David,
The two new holes at Portrush are indeed cracking! Jerry Kluger and I played there a few days after the Buda with the famous Bill Tennant... the only golfer to have scored a "two" on all 18 Dunluce holes!!! :o Quite a feat indeed! The new holes fit into the course seamlessly and will be an excellent addition. However, the members we talked with want their old 17 & 18 returned to them after The Open. They want games to finish under the member's balcony so that they can watch (and heckle) their friends as they come home. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out.
Incidentally... the R&A have spent a great deal of money at Portrush constructing massive a new storage facility for the grounds equipment. Also, they are constructing a series of tunnels to allow players and equipment to around the course without having to interact with the spectators. It is all most elaborate.
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Bumping this thread as the Irish Open is being playing at Portstewart this week.
Any one played it in pre-event mode?
Atb
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Thanks, Dai, for bumping this thread.
I played Portstewart in 1998 or 99 on a group trip to Ireland organized by a Clemson University booster organization. My fourball included Lucas Glover, the future US Open winner :o , who was still in college at the time. Man... it was a joy watching Lucas play this course, carving shots into the fairways and greens. I thought the front nine was the most exciting golf holes I had ever seen. Lots and lots of "wow" factor. The back nine was not as impressive visually, so in comparison it seemed a letdown. I'd really like to visit again now that I have a better appreciation for design over "eye candy." Too bad Jerry and I didn't visit during our Buda grande tour in 2016.
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Looking good what little I've been able to see on TV.
Projected cut at -3 and there has been some wind. Portstewart is usually thrown into the ring when someone starts a thread asking which other course cuold join the Open rota. Why is the scoring so good?
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Looking good what little I've been able to see on TV.
Projected cut at -3 and there has been some wind. Portstewart is usually thrown into the ring when someone starts a thread asking which other course cuold join the Open rota. Why is the scoring so good?
Spangles
I didn't watch any of the event, but I am stunned by the winning score.
Ciao
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I actually saw most of Sunday’s final hours. Not a great deal of wind.
Wet receptive greens that didn't seem to have difficult to get at hollows or raised portions. I don't have strong memories of them beyond some general slopes and some big run offs. But the pace was to the liking of the leaders.
But what really set it apart from Portrush was the lack of real rough. Rahm was long but not very straight. Bash, find and knock it close will give you scores like that.
I liked Porstewart a lot, but the memory hasn’t got warmer over time.
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Is the front nine at Portstewart slightly overrated?
I don't know the course that well.
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Of all the higher echelon links around the coast of Ireland Portstewart (Strand) would be one of the last I'd go back too. To me it doesn't have the consistant all-round quality of the other top rated courses nor the quaintness, quirkiness and fun factor of many others. Hard walk too...steep downhill decents while trying to hold back a trolley are not good on the kness. Some terrific individual holes though.
Atb
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Yes, I would have P'stewart comfortably top 100 GB&I, but it isn't one of my favourites...I am not clamouring to go back.
Ciao
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Enjoyed the front nine, but let down by the back. Think Enniscrone for contrast between in dunes and out of dunes. What Enniscrone gets right is the finish in the dunes by the sea.
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I revisited Portstewart recently and despite its difficulty, I remain impressed. See the updated tour.
Ciao