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North coast to be home of new links golf course

Luke Sproule
BBC News NI
Getty Images A wide shot of a golfer wearing a dark polo shirt, light grey trousers and a white cap chipping a golf ball out of a bunker. Sand can be seen spraying up where his club and the ball made contact and the ball has lifted just out of the bunker. In the distance the yellow flag marking the hole can be seen as well as some scrubland and, further up the image, the blue sky.Getty Images
Links golf courses are typically found on sandy coastal terrain

Plans have been unveiled for a new links golf course to be built on the north coast of Northern Ireland, about 20 miles from Royal Portrush which is currently hosting The Open.

The developers of the course said that if the project went ahead it would be "Northern Ireland's first championship links golf course in more than 100 years".

A links golf course is the oldest and most traditional form of course, with origins in Scotland.

Links courses are typically built on sandy coastal terrain, offering firmer playing surfaces than those found on parkland or heathland.

It is hoped the new course, on the coast near Bellarena in County Londonderry, will open in 2029.

Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the development and said it would help to increase the impact of golf on Northern Ireland's economy.

The course is being developed by the Galgorm Collection.

Its managing director Colin Johnston said preparatory work had already started and main work on the course could begin from 2026.

Tourism Northern Ireland's chairwoman Ellvena Graham said Northern Ireland was already "a highly sought-after destination for golfers from across the globe" and she hoped more would be attracted to visit the new course.

Northern Ireland's current links courses include Royal Portrush and Royal County Down in Newcastle.