Golf
In 2019, Royal Portrush Golf Club, regarded as one of the finest links courses in the world, will host Northern Ireland’s first Open Championship since 1951.
Situated on the rugged Atlantic coast, its stunning location provides something of a greenkeeping challenge, but one that new Course Manager Graeme Beatt is more than adequately qualified for, as he tells Chris McCullough
N
estled right on the edge of the fierce Atlantic Ocean, the Royal Portrush Golf Club really needs no introduction. Its famous courses hosted the Open
Championship in 1951, the Irish Open in 2012 and is currently preparing for the return of the Open in 2019. The club is home to one of the best and
most challenging links golf courses in the world, the Dunluce Links, plus the ‘hidden gem’, the Valley Links. Back in December, the long standing
course manager, Joe Findlay, retired after twenty-six years with the club. He was replaced by Graeme Beatt who originally comes from St Andrews. In preparation for the Open, the course
will undergo a few changes, including moving the 16th, 17th and 18th holes. The existing machinery shed is being
demolished, making way for a new one in a different location to allow the construction of the visitor stands surrounding the 18th. A complete indoor refurbishment of the clubhouse is also on the agenda in time for the big event. Graeme took up the reigns of the Portrush
course at the end of last year following an impressive career at other venues. He said: “I joined the greenkeeping staff at
my home club, Scotscraig Golf Club, in 1995 and went on to work at Kingsbarns from 2000 until 2006, with a spell at Royal Melbourne in this time.” “I moved to Ireland in 2006 to work at the
Castle Dargan Golf Course and stayed as course manager until 2011. I then enjoyed working as course manager at County Sligo Golf Course, Rosses Point from 2011 until 2014.” Throughout his career, Graeme has
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