Castlerock (Mussenden)

The Mussenden Course is the championship layout at Castlerock, overlooking the northern coastline of Northern Ireland. 

 

Castlerock was founded in 1900, and originally opened as a 9-hole course in 1901. A few years later, the second nine was added, but the land was then taken up for military training during the First World War. Harry Colt came to Castlerock and redesigned the course, which was reconstructed in the early 1920s.  

 

Castlerock is also home to the 9-hole Bann Course, which also commands a place on the NCG Top 100s: Ireland list.  

 

  

Visit Castlerock's website here. 

Go back to the NCG's Top 100s Homepage. 
 

The original meeting about the founding of Castlerock Golf Club took place in 1900, with the club officially being founded a year later. 

 

Nine holes were originally built, with a further nine added by the end of the 1900s, after more land was leased from the council. 

 

Following the First World War, where the course was ruined by aircraft and military training, the great Harry Colt was brought in. He redesigned the course and brought it back to its former glory, making the Mussenden Course what it is today. 
 

The Mussenden Course is the championship offering at Castlerock, with holes routed through majestic sand dunes. Golfers enjoy views out to Scotland and the Isle of Islay on a clear, sunny day. The Mussenden is certainly not the longest course that golfers will ever face, measuring in at just over 6,600 yards. Playing as a Par 73, there are chances for good scores, but there are also dangerous holes to take those scores away from you. 

 

The course begins with a pair of dog-legs to the right, the 2nd being one of the harder holes on the course despite only measuring 335 yards. The 3rd on the Mussenden is the opening par 5 on the layout, and at just 525 yards, it is reachable in two for the longer hitters. The 4th – 'Leg o'Mutton' – is a 200-yard hole with a railway line to the right, a burn and out of bounds to the left, and a raised green awaiting all those able to find it. 

 

The 5th is one of the easiest holes on the property. A par 5 at just 475 yards, the only real danger is the railway line that runs down the right side of the hole, a true links golf feature. The 6th is not the longest par 4 at 350 yards, but with a water hazard running across the front of the green, approach shots must carry to stay dry.

 

7 is then the hardest hole on the course, with a narrow fairway to find off the tee. The tough stretch continues through to the turn, with another 400+ yard par 4 followed by the par 3 9th. It is carded as the second easiest hole on the Mussenden Course, but at 215 yards from the tips, it’s barely easy... 

 

The back nine also begins with a tough par 4, before the 530-yard par 5 11th offers up another birdie opportunity if you can find the fairway with your tee shot. A pair of tricky par 4s follows before the par 3 14th, where the green is surrounded by four bunkers.

 

15 and 17 are the last par 5s on the Mussenden and sandwich the easiest hole on the course – the par 3 16th. The 18th has a raised green and many a bogey has been made by those under-clubbing, coming up short and trickling back down into the fairway, leaving themselves an exacting chip. 
 

Where is Castlerock Golf Club located?  
Castlerock Golf Club is situated on the northern coastline of Northern Ireland. The River Bann runs down the eastern side of the property, coming into play several times on both courses at Castlerock. Coleraine is the nearest town, less than ten miles away, while the capital city of Belfast is around 60 miles to the southeast of Castlerock. 

 

The town of Castlerock has its own train station, which offers hourly services operated in both directions. Trains from Belfast Great Victoria Street to Derry/Londonderry run through Castlerock every hour. Belfast International and Belfast City Airports are the two main airports in the country, both are also around 60 miles away. The City of Derry Airport is only 30 miles to the southwest but does not provide as many flights as the airports in Belfast. 

 

How many courses are at Castlerock Golf Club?
The Mussenden Course is one of two layouts at Castlerock. The venue also plays host to the 9-hole Bann Course, often regarded as the best 9-holer on the entire island.

 

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Ireland venues nearby?
Along with the two layouts at the club, this stretch of coastline is a golfing paradise. Portstewart, home to the Strand Course as part of its 54-hole portfolio, is ten miles away, while Royal Portrush is just 15 miles down the coast. Portrush has both the Dunluce Links and the Valley Links.

What golf facilities does Castlerock Golf Club offer?  
Along with the two courses, Castlerock also has a great practice area. There is a driving range and a wonderful short game area, which features a two-tiered green, two bunkers and plenty of space to chip and putt from.  

What are the green fees at Castlerock Golf Club?  
The price of a green fee at Castlerock Golf Club changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.  

 

For more information on current green fees at Castlerock, visit their website here. 

 

  

Visit Castlerock's website here. 

Go back to the NCG's Top 100s Homepage.