History Made, History in the Making The Story of the Royal Portrush Golf Club

“Part social history it reflects how golf in Portrush was inextricably linked to the railways, the emergence of tourism in the Victorian era, and a tried and tested Scottish blueprint. Heavily influenced by men from north of Hadrian’s Wall – Scots George L. Baillie and Thomas Gilroy were founding fathers – the first competition organised by The County Golf Club (as Royal Portrush was originally known) took place on Saturday, May 12, 1888, on a nine-hole course beside the railway station, with an 18-hole course opened just one year later….to how The Open returned to Royal Portrush after 68-years.”