Royal County Down (Annesley)

It’s safe to say that Royal County Down is blessed. The Annesley Links is the shorter of the two courses at the Northern Irish venue, but it still packs a punch.  

 

Donald Steel, along with MacKenzie & Ebert, are the trio responsible for this wonderful layout. The course plays among the dunes, and although it is only a par 66, don’t be fooled – you still might struggle! 

 

The Annesley Links is one of two golf courses at the famous Royal County Down. The Championship Links at the Northern Irish venue is the top-ranked course on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Courses list.

 

  

Visit Royal County Down's website here.
Go back to the NCG's Top 100s Homepage. 
 

The Royal County Down Golf Club was founded in 1889. It was initially established as a nine-hole course designed by Old Tom Morris. The following year, Morris oversaw an expansion to 18 holes, creating the routing of the Championship Course which still exists to this day.

   

The club received its 'Royal' designation when the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) became its patron. Since then, it has been officially known as the Royal County Down Golf Club and the Championship Course is frequently seen as the best course in Ireland, as well as being one of the best golf courses in the world. 

 

Donald Steel was the designer of the Annesley Links at Royal County Down, with the duo of MacKenzie & Ebert coming in to revise the course. The layout was extended in 1995, with more changes coming around a decade later.  
 

Most would describe the Annesley Links as the secondary layout at Royal County Down behind the Championship Course. That might well be the case, but that does not mean that the Annesley Links is a pushover. It is only a par 66 layout, but the course has been carved into the same dunescape as its bigger brother, and offers a real challenge, while golfers enjoy panoramic views of the bay.  

 

Only one of the 18 holes hits 400 yards from the back tees, with that coming as the last of the opening four par 4 holes. The 3rd, which precedes it, is the hardest hole on the course. There are only two par 3s on the front nine – coming at the 5th and 9th – with the latter being the shortest hole on the course at just 124 yards. 

 

“The far end of the course wraps around into some beautiful terrain behind the biggest dunes at the end of the main links, and the tiny greens and ample bunkering are perfectly scaled for its length,” - Tom Doak in ‘The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses: Great Britain & Ireland 

 

It is the holes around the turn that are being talked about by Doak, while the closing nine on the Annesley Links has back-to-back par 3s on two occasions. The 16th and 17th are both 160 yards, but offer two very different challenges as you try and keep a good score going through the closing stages. 

 

The final hole on the Annesley is the easiest hole on the card. At just 315 yards from the tips, some may think about taking this on, but for most it will be a fairway wood or long iron before a short shot into the green. A true birdie chance to finish your round.  

"The Mountains of Mourne provide an ever present backdrop, the sea can be viewed from so many points and the land form and wonderful mix of vegetation throughout the links lead to it being such a special place in the golfing world. However, there are a number of views from the Annesley that could be considered to be the equal of any to be found on the Championship links." - Course designer Martin Ebert on the Annesley Links
 

Where is Royal County Down Golf Club located?
Royal County Down is located in County Down in Northern Ireland, in the town of Newcastle. The venue is bordered by the Irish Sea on its eastern side, with the A2 - the main road around the Northern Irish coastline - at its western boundary.

The closest train station to Royal County Down is in Newry, which sits at the end of the Belfast-Newry line, and with trains running arriving at the station on a regular basis. Newry Station is around 20 miles west of the golf club. For those coming from further afield, Belfast International Airport is the best base. It is around 40 miles to the north, while Dublin Airport, which services the capital of the Republic, is 85 miles to the south.

 

How many courses are at Royal County Down?
Royal County Down is home to two cracking links courses - the Annesley Course and the Championship Course.

 

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Ireland venues nearby?
Along with the two layouts at Royal County Down, Ardglass is the only other venue on the NCG Top 100s: Ireland list to be located in the southeast region of Northern Ireland. Ardglass is less than 20 miles from County Down, while Malone's Championship Course and Belvoir Park are both within 30 miles to the north.

What golf facilities does Royal County Down offer?  
Along with the 36 holes of golf, Royal County Down is also home to some stunning practice facilities, as you would expect from one of the best courses in the world. 
 

What are the green fees at Royal County Down?
The price of a green fee at Royal County Down 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 Royal County Down, visit their website here. 

Visit Royal County Down's website here.
Go back to the NCG's Top 100s Homepage.