A brand new championship links golf course is in the planning for one of the most scenic locations in Co Antrim, The Irish News can reveal.
The Galgorm Collection, the hospitality company behind the luxury hotel resort of the same name, is behind the bid for a major new tourism development in Glenariffe, which lies between Cushendall and Carnlough, in the foothills of the Glens of Antrim.
It’s understood negotiations are ongoing with around 30 landowners, focused on between 200 and 300 acres in the valley stretching from the Glenariffe Oisín’s GAA club, next to Waterfoot beach, up into the surrounding hills.
Links courses are typically located on sandy coastlines that offer a firmer playing surface.
Subject to the completion of land deals and planning approval, the hotel group hopes to have the links course up and operational by the time the Ryder Cup returns to Ireland in 2027.
The hotel group is understood to be targeting the US tourism market for its new golf venture, with the 2027 Ryder Cup in Adare Manor, Co Limerick, considered the ideal launch platform.
It comes as the Galgorm Collection prepares to close on a deal to acquire the Galgorm Castle Golf Club, close to its flagship hotel resort in Ballymena.
The castle estate, which dates back to the early 17th century, was developed into a golf course by the Brooke family during the 1980s.
It has hosted The Irish Open and the ISPS Handa World Invitational in recent years.
The deal for the Galgorm Castle Golf Club is now considered to be a formality and set to become official in the coming days.
The Irish News can also reveal that the Galgorm Collection is in the running to acquire a third golf course.
The hotel group is understood to be one of three bidders in the race for the Roe Park Resort in Limavady.
The 118-bed hotel and its 18-hole parkland golf course went on the market in June, with its owners seeking £14 million for the Co Derry resort.
Galgorm is thought to be the favourite to secure the north-west golf resort, with final bids expected to be lodged toward the end of next week.
The major expansion of the hotel group, owned by brothers Nicky and Paul Hill, follows a strong period for the group.
Accounts recently filed with Companies House show the Galgorm Resort & Spa registered a pre-tax profit of £6.6m in the year ending October 31 2023 on a turnover of £35.9m.
It puts it among the most profitable hotel operations on the island.
The Galgorm Collection’s portfolio includes The Rabbit Hotel in Templepatrick and The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn.
It also owns Belfast venues Parisien and Fratelli.
