Sometimes we can forget how great the golf is close to home.
I was reminded of it recently when I took part in the Writer Cup, an annual tournament setting northern journalists against southern media in a Ryder Cup style format.
It’s eight golfers a side over two days, playing four better-ball matches and eight singles.
The competition is promoted by Tourism NI to showcase golf in the region and to encourage southerners to travel north to play Northern Ireland’s great courses, but it’s also a reminder that some great things are near to hand.
We played Belvoir Park, host for the Irish Open in 1949 and ‘53, and Belfast’s finest course (apologies to Malone).
It’s a majestic parkland of rolling hills, big trees, nice walks and beautiful conditioning.
It also has the most impressive modern clubhouse in Ireland, with a balcony so high that the edge of the course is visible against the enveloping city beyond.
After a night in the super Ballygally Castle, overlooking the sea and at the start of the Antrim Coast Road, we played Cairndhu.
The opening is spectacular. The first drive is up a hill so severe that I expect the ball to roll back to my feet, but the reward is at the top where there are beautiful views of the coastline, Scotland and Alisa Craig on a fine day.
The second is the hole everyone talks about; a short par-three with a huge drop off to the right and more stunning views.
Then it’s a blind drive over a dune and you’re off on your round, which is a surprisingly easy walk
The three or four holes around the turn are the pick of the bunch but the overall quality is good. Cairndhu is not just for the views.
Golf tourism is increasingly important to the Northern Ireland economy with Portstewart to host the Irish Open next year.
It launches a new links swing for 2017 - a run of three weeks in mid-summer starting with the Irish Open, then the Scottish Open and culminating with the Open.
The exposure will have a positive affect on tourism numbers, with more people than ever enjoying the tremendous golf we have to offer.
Oh, and by the way, the north won the Writer Cup!
**Golf was at belvoirparkgolfclub.com and cairndhugolfclub.co.uk
**We stayed at Ballygalley Castle hastingshotels.com/ballygally-castle/
For more info on Northern Ireland’s golf courses, go to
