FullGolf

Royal County Down has been the scene of many wonderful championships, particularly in the very early days when the greats of the day such as Vardon, Taylor, Ball and Kirkcaldy came to play “for a purse of sovereigns”. Over the years it became less used as a professional venue but has always remained a supreme challenge that attracts the top professionals, such as Tiger Woods and Tom Watson, as individuals. The course continues to present a major challenge to the top amateurs, particularly in match play which is, after all, the heart and soul of golf. The Irish Open Amateur Championship was held at Newcastle 15 times until it was abandoned in 1959, the Irish Close 10 times, the Amateur Championship and Home Internationals 5 times between them. Not unsurprisingly, it has also been the scene of many great Ladies Championships, the Irish and British Open Amateurs a total of 18 times and the Curtis Cup in 1968. To crown these championships the Walker Cup matches were held in 2007.