Portstewart (Riverside)
The Riverside layout is located adjacent to the Strand (some of the holes and land used to be form part of the main course) and the start and finish, which is played over authentic linksland land is good. The final three holes are actually excellent and provide a stirring finish but this comes far too late to save itself.
The remainder is largely forgettable and although well presented it isn’t really links golf and is a bit up-and-down on softer terrain where ditches and even a pond make an appearance. At times it reminded me a touch of the Strathtyrum course, or even the back-nine on the Eden, at St. Andrews.
As the name suggests it is played close to the River Bann and is a very clean layout; generous from the tee, not long on the card (max 5,498 yards, par 67) with shallow bunkers and whilst not totally geared for beginner golf it is a tame affair.
The greens ran superbly though and had a nice pace with a very true roll. I have played courses of much higher esteem and wished the surfaces had been as good.
Read the review of Portstewart (Strand) here.
Read the review of Portstewart (Old) here.
