Royal County Down. Sunday 25 July

Royal County Down is the highest rated course on our tour, and one that was looked toward with great anticipation and expectation. I had not played in Ireland in an attempt to make it around this great course. This was a big day for us, leaving early from Portrush, to travel to Newcastle.
From the moment we walked into the golf shop we were treated like members. The staff there, Brian and Rory were amazing, and very knowledgable about golf and Kingston Heath. It was nice for the members to hear these boys raving about our course, not asking if it was in England like some of the others had done.
We all had a lovely lunch in the clubhouse, and made our way around to the first tee. Unfortunately the turning demands of a golf swing were too much for my ankle, and I only managed to play 2 holes. I walked the remained of the front nine with my group, then retiring to take up my role as official photographer, and liaison officer. This was the course that I had been waiting for nearly 12 months to play, and the stupid horse fly ruined it!!!
Here we caught up with Captain Neil Cathels, and President Rob Gyngell as they were playing a little earlier. The course was magnificent, yet difficult, with many blind shots. There was a common theme as the players finished. Amazing.
Tiger Woods shot 83 the first time he played here. So no surprise that it took us close to 5 hours to get around.

Graeme Hiscock won the day after some fine play. To assist Dean and the coach logistics our friends in the golf shop have helped us delay our starting time at Portmarnock tomorrow. This mean that everyone has the time available for breakfast also. We reloaded ourselves onto the coach, and with some very excited discussion about the day and the course we commenced the long trip down to Dublin. The discussion stopped after about half an hour, and a look around the coach saw many sets of closed eyes. Eventually we arrived in Dublin very ready for bed.