Ardglass Golf Club
Ardglass Golf Club is an 18 hole links course in a natural setting hugging the north-east coast of Ireland, with stunning views, unique golf holes and memorable people.
The course is less than 2 hours from Dublin, under an hour from Belfast and only 30 minutes from the world renowned Royal County Down golf links at Newcastle.
Ardglass Golf Club is a true test of golf. With the almost ever-present wind capable of wreaking havoc from any quarter; the hard fairways and the small firm greens, it is just about impossible to play “yardage based” golf on this links.
The Irish Sea, which can be seen from all 18 tees and greens, comes into play on no fewer than 8 holes. This is just one of the memorable and unique features of the links at Ardglass Golf Club.
We have the oldest building used as a golf club house in the world. The present building started its existence as a fortified warehouse that operated as a safe haven for 15th century importers and exporters. The initial construction of the castle started no later than 1405 and by the 18th century it was converted into a family home, with a new extension being completed around 1788.
However, as the harbour was in use by the Norman knight, Sir John De Courcy, at the time of his invasion of Ireland in 1177, it is entirely possible that the clubhouse sits on even earlier footings.
Today we are fortunate to have this distinctive building as our clubhouse.
The story of Ardglass Golf Club and links began in 1896, under the leadership of the Rev Thomas MacAfee. The first incarnation was a 7-hole layout with a total length of less than 1000 yards and shoehorned into the area that is now our 1st and 18th fairways.