Ireland boasts 19 of Britain and Ireland's Top 100 courses
The approach to the fourth at The European Club. Picture © Pat Ruddy
Royal County Down has been ranked No 1 in Golf World's latest ranking of the Top-100 courses in Great Britain and Ireland.
The Newcastle venue topped the list from Muirfield and the Old Course at St Andrews with Royal Portrush at No 8, Waterville at No 11, Ballybunion Old at 14th and The European Club in County Wicklow ranked 15th.
Many will be surprised to see that Portmarnock, greatly improved in recent years thanks to the efforts of course superintendent Gary Johnstone, is 19th in the list and only seventh in Ireland.
While Royal Dublin, host for this week's Irish Amateur Open Championship, did not make the Top 100 in Golf World's list, Ireland fared well with nineteen venues.
All but one of the 19 — Lough Erne — are located at the seaside. According to Golf World, the new batting order for the best Irish golf courses is as follows:
Golf World's Top Irish courses (ranking in GB&I)
- Royal Co. Down (1)
- Royal Portrush (8)
- Waterville (11)
- Ballybunion (14)
- The European Club (15)
- Lahinch (19)
- Portmarnock (30)
- Doonbeg (30);
- Co. Louth (40)
- Carne (44).
- Rosapenna Sandy Hills (48)
- Co. Sligo (59)
- Ballyliffin Glashedy (60)
- The Island (65)
- Old Head (67)
- Enniscrone (69)
- Donegal (83)
- Tralee (91)
- Lough Erne (98).
Golf World's Top-20 in Great Britain and Ireland
- Royal Co. Down
- Muirfield
- St. Andrews Old
- Turnberry
- Royal Birkdale
- Sunningdale Old
- Trump Aberdeen
- Royal Portrush
- Royal Dornoch
- Carnoustie
- Waterville
- Royal St. George's
- Royal Lytham & St. Anne's
- Ballybunion Old
- The European Club
- Kingsbarns
- Sunningdale New
- Woodhalle Spa
- Lahinch
- Portmarnock
- Loch Lomond
- Walton Heath Old
- Royal Troon
- Skibo Castle
- North Berwick
