Royal County Down Golf Course

Up early, back down for another delicious breakfast, although Julie & I left with more food in our handbags than what we ate there - in preparation for later snacks!!

Checked out of our castle and headed up the highway to Newcastle where we were booked to play Royal County Down Golf Course. It was about a 2 hr drive and once off the motorway a good chance to see some beautiful green rolling hills and quaint country villages - beautiful 😀

We were warmly greeted by the caddy master, had a coffee in the lounge then a trip to the practice range before heading to the first tee where we were again warmly greeted by the starter and our forecaddy Declan.

This course is known as one of the best in the world and it certainly lived up to that reputation- amazing 😉 

Very difficult course, the rough is a huge penalty and there were some very long carries off the tees. Julie hits the ball so far that she managed well, I did struggle on some holes and whilst I scored poorly, I thoroughly enjoy the whole experience.

Julie & Brian beat Sean & I 5/4, poor Sean had to carry the team for the front 9, but I did have 1 birdie on the 16th. Brian started with a birdie on the 1st and had a 2nd one on the 4th. Sean had 2 birdies - on the 5th & the 17th. Sean won the day with 35 points ⛳️😀⛳️😀

Again, we were super lucky with the weather, no rain and very warm. The wind picked up on the back 9 but it was not a cold wind and short sleeves were the dress code for the day.

It was a fairly slow round, over 5 hours, but there was a Marshall and we were on the move all the time, but it was a long course and very hilly, always lost balls to look for in the rough. 

We had dinner at the club, then headed up the highway to Belfast. About 50 min drive. Arrived at our 2 bed apartment which is on the 18th floor and has spectacular views down the river and the new Titanic building and arena - will get a pic tomorrow.

We threw a load of washing on then walked a few hundred metres into the city to the supermarket, stocked up on snacks and drinks then as it is late came back to have a bit of quiet time with a few drinks.

Tomorrow we are playing golf at Royal Belfast, but not until the afternoon, so a sleep in and some sightseeing is the plan 😴😴😴😴😴