I HAD negotiated the Giant’s Grave, overcome the Causeway and even conquered the Himalayas – but now Calamity Corner was awaiting me.
Would it live up to its name, as had the other three treacherous golf holes on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland, where I was following in the footsteps of the golfing gods.
Hosting The Open twice since 2019, Royal Portrush needs no introduction to fans of the sport.
And Calamity Corner was just one more challenge on what is one of the world’s finest courses.
The par three offers superb views in all directions across the course.
The only problem is the deep drops surrounding three sides of the green.
Now it was my chance to play it — and it turned out to be far from a calamity.
Finding the green with my tee shot was a good start, and two putts later, after help from our brilliant caddie Jamie, I had made par.
It was my most memorable par ever and was only topped by a birdie on the beachside fifth.
After such a fantastic afternoon, there was only one way to mark the occasion — with the Calamity Corner cocktail at the hotel bar.
After such a fantastic afternoon, there was only one way to mark the occasion — with the Calamity Corner cocktail at the hotel bar
I was staying at the 5-star Dunluce Lodge, set alongside the fourth fairway and, like the course, it is named after the castle ruins nearby.
Opening in early 2025, the hotel’s 35 rooms are all suites, while there is also a spa and a putting green for practice.
And the hotel can count former world No1 Rory McIlroy among its guests.
Its restaurant highlights Irish produce, with dishes such as Carlingford oysters and seared Thornhill duck.
The lodge also has a great whiskey collection, including the exceedingly rare 46-year-old single malt from nearby Bushmills distillery.
The following morning, fuelled by brilliant memories of Royal Portrush and a full Irish breakfast, I was ready to tackle my next course: Castlerock.
A 25-minute drive from my hotel, the course was another beautiful layout in an area blessed with many, including Portstewart and Bushfoot.
Set alongside the River Bann, which is visible on several holes, the venue held a European Tour event in 2023 and has a second course which can be played for £60.
Three holes of Castlerock’s Mussenden Links run alongside the railway, including the tricky fourth.
Later in the round, the 16th and 17th offer the best views across to Donegal.
Guinness flowed
After the golf, I returned to Portrush to visit the famous Harbour Bar, a pub frequented by some of the world’s best players during The Open.
Set over three floors, the boozer’s food options include burgers for £15 and half rotisserie chickens for £20.
When I went, it had live music playing late into the evening as the Guinness flowed and golfers from across the globe shared stories.
I also enjoyed a pint of the black stuff on the first day of my break, at the Culloden Estate in the suburbs of Belfast.
The Guinness flowed and golfers from across the globe shared stories
The hotel houses a spa and swimming pool alongside three restaurants, while the mocktail on arrival and cupcakes in the room were nice touches.
I chose its Cultra Bar for dinner where mains included daube of Irish beef or pork chop with black pudding, both for £28.
The hotel was ten minutes from my first round at Holywood, Rory McIlroy’s home course and where he learned the game.
Rounds cost £60, with the course set in the hills above Belfast and offering views across the Lough, particularly on the challenging back-nine holes.
Off the course, the clubhouse has an area dedicated to Rory’s Major triumphs, including replica trophies, alongside Ryder Cup memorabilia.
But I had teed off early to allow myself time to visit another of Belfast’s most popular attractions.
The Titanic Experience, yards from where the doomed liner first launched, tells the story of the ship’s construction, sinking and discovery.
Artefacts on display include one of the life jackets — of which only 12 still exist — and the violin played by a member of the band as the ship went down.
The exhibition was a fascinating addition to a break packed with an amazing mix of great golf, Irish hospitality and spectacular food.
It was a trip that was far from a calamity — and well above par.