Royal County Down/Portrush Help!!

[Warren_g44]

Hey all. Happy new year. 
I am traveling from Canada with my wife and 5 year old son to Ireland the last week of June before heading to Scotland for my sisters wedding. We will be in Belfast for June 27-30. 
I am a single (5HDCP and I have contacted both RCD and Portrush to be waitlisted. I am wondering if there is any other avenue to possibly get out on either course. Slowly contacting booking companies to see if anyone is reselling times. Any ideas? Anyone need a fourth!? 

[hammergolf]

They have been booked up since last year. You’re best chance is for cancellations. If you’re going to be in the area you could always have Portstewart and Ardglass as backups if they don’t have any spots.

[Warren_g44]

7 hours ago, hammergolf said:

They have been booked up since last year. You’re best chance is for cancellations. If you’re going to be in the area you could always have Portstewart and Ardglass as backups if they don’t have any spots.

Yeah that’s what I’m hoping for. I will definitely check those two out and at least have one round booked. Hopefully I get lucky or someone needs a body! 

[El Gringo]

You can try to book the second course at place and then hope for the best. The Annesley at Co Down is very good. The Valley at Portrush is arguably better than Portstewart. 

[Warren_g44]

4 hours ago, El Gringo said:

You can try to book the second course at place and then hope for the best. The Annesley at Co Down is very good. The Valley at Portrush is arguably better than Portstewart. 

I wonder if that would give me an upper hand for potentially playing the Championship and Dunluce.

[KansasGolfer42]

I'm in the same situation for early August. It's wild to me that it isn't possible to get a tee time as a single more than 8 months out. 

Booked both in April of 2020 about 3 months out and had no issues, but unfortunately had to cancel because of Covid lockdowns.

 

Do you think travel agents and big groups are causing this? With the US resorts booking years in advance, it's frustrating how challenging it is to get a tee time even for a single. 

[El Gringo]

2 hours ago, Warren_g44 said:

I wonder if that would give me an upper hand for potentially playing the Championship and Dunluce.

I don't know, but it's really no hardship to play these courses as second choices. 

[Warren_g44]

2 hours ago, El Gringo said:

I don't know, but it's really no hardship to play these courses as second choices. 

I didn’t mean it like that at all. I’m very fortunate to be able to play at all so am grateful for the suggestion. 

[El Gringo]

3 minutes ago, Warren_g44 said:

I didn’t mean it like that at all. I’m very fortunate to be able to play at all so am grateful for the suggestion. 

Sorry, I didn't intent to be snarky. It's just that so many cool 2nd and 3rd tier courses are ignored by tourists in favour of championship courses. 

[Warren_g44]

32 minutes ago, El Gringo said:

Sorry, I didn't intent to be snarky. It's just that so many cool 2nd and 3rd tier courses are ignored by tourists in favour of championship courses. 

Not at all! But bucket list top 100s must be the priority for many. I know locally here there are some great courses but if someone’s visiting there’s only a few noteworthy. 

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, Warren_g44 said:

Not at all! But bucket list top 100s must be the priority for many. I know locally here there are some great courses but if someone’s visiting there’s only a few noteworthy. 

You're on the waiting list so just hope for the best. As it gets closer, you can always book other courses if it looks like you’re not going to make it. I’m not sure if it would help or not, but I would ask if you can make a time for The Valley course at Portrush, and the Annesley course at RCD. The tough thing about getting on at RCD and Portrush at shorter notice is that they are both pretty restrictive about the days and times they allow visitor play. Then on top of that, so many rounds that were booked for ‘20 and ‘21 were rescheduled to ‘22 and ‘23. When I was there in October there wasn’t an open spot on the sheet.

[Warren_g44]

2 hours ago, hammergolf said:

You're on the waiting list so just hope for the best. As it gets closer, you can always book other courses if it looks like you’re not going to make it. I’m not sure if it would help or not, but I would ask if you can make a time for The Valley course at Portrush, and the Annesley course at RCD. The tough thing about getting on at RCD and Portrush at shorter notice is that they are both pretty restrictive about the days and times they allow visitor play. Then on top of that, so many rounds that were booked for ‘20 and ‘21 were rescheduled to ‘22 and ‘23. When I was there in October there wasn’t an open spot on the sheet.

I think that’s a good idea. Possibly just wander to the wrong tee box day of…!!

I'm very hopeful the club or a member will take mercy on me. I’d hate to take someone’s spot who has to cancel their time, I know what it would mean for me to play those two so wishing ill on someone else doesn’t seem like the best outcome. 

Just being over there in the vicinity will be amazing in itself. 

[hammergolf]

7 minutes ago, Warren_g44 said:

I think that’s a good idea. Possibly just wander to the wrong tee box day of…!!

I'm very hopeful the club or a member will take mercy on me. I’d hate to take someone’s spot who has to cancel their time, I know what it would mean for me to play those two so wishing ill on someone else doesn’t seem like the best outcome. 

Just being over there in the vicinity will be amazing in itself. 

Are you a member of a private club? Maybe if your pro can send an email to their pro they can find a member who would be willing to invite you as a guest. The area is amazing, besides golf there is so much scenery and things to do in that area. You have Dunluce Castle, Giants Causeway, and Carrick a Rede. I stayed in Portrush for 4 days in October and it was great.

[Warren_g44]

17 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Are you a member of a private club? Maybe if your pro can send an email to their pro they can find a member who would be willing to invite you as a guest. The area is amazing, besides golf there is so much scenery and things to do in that area. You have Dunluce Castle, Giants Causeway, and Carrick a Rede. I stayed in Portrush for 4 days in October and it was great.

Also an option. 
Yes no shortage of activities! I know my travel partners (wife and kid) will have tons planned!!

[El Gringo]

I wouldn't wait too long to book Annesley or Valley Links. I couldn't get a tee time at Annesley this past September. These are popular courses. 

[Warren_g44]

34 minutes ago, El Gringo said:

I wouldn't wait too long to book Annesley or Valley Links. I couldn't get a tee time at Annesley this past September. These are popular courses. 

Man this is turning into blue balls! I’m on it thank you!!!