Northern Ireland continues to lead the way for golf
Here are some of the best courses you might not have played yet
As the 2022 Tourism NI Writer Cup came to a close recently at the superb Massereene Golf Club in County Antrim, it was disappointment for the Northern Ireland team who lost out by a single point against their Republic of Ireland media counterparts.
But across the two days of golf - day one took place at the perfectly-manicured Dunmurry Golf Club - it revealed some of the 'hidden' gems of courses across Northern Ireland.
We take a look at what's on offer for the discerning golfer outside of the world-famous Royal Portrush and Royal County Down links courses.
Dunmurry Golf Club
The Par 70 parkland is truly deserving of the term 'hidden gem'.
Tucked away south-west of Belfast, it's a perfectly-manicured and peaceful joy to play. It may not rank as the most difficult course of all, but it still requires you to plot your way around and position off the tee is vital.
The par 4 15th is a tight dogleg right with your second shot anything from 150 to 250 yards in. Get your tee shot wrong and watch a good score unravel very quickly.
Portstewart Golf Club
Whilst not exactly unknown, Portstewart can sometimes be seen as a 'little brother' to the world-renowned Royal Portrush just a few miles away. But it's right up there on the same level.
The opening hole provides one of the most spectacular first tee shots in all of golf and the entire 18 holes provide a stern, but fair, test of golf. With a number of holes incorporating the backdrop of the stunning Portstewart Strand, it's truly a breathtaking experience from beginning to end.
Massereene Golf Club
As co-host of the 2022 ISPS Handa World Invitational, Massereene played host some of the world's best golfers earlier this year.
An uncompromising par-72 parkland course, it requires even the best golfers to think their way round each of the 18-holes.
A challenging and picturesque challenge for golfers of all levels, its features panoramic views of Lough Neagh.
Warrenpoint Golf Club
Warrenpoint has produced some of the best golfers to come out of Ireland in recent times, with 1989 European Order of Merit winner and Ryder Cup star Ronan Rafferty honing his trade on the tight parkland course in County Down.
Current Irish Amateur Champion Colm Campbell is also one of the leading figures at Warrenpoint, while the club's juvenile section continually produces a conveyor belt of top-class talent.
Situated on a relatively small plot of land adjacent to Narrow Water Castle, the tree-lined fairways of Warrenpoint require accuracy above anything else.
If you're long and accurate, you'll score well here. But if you miss the fairway, you'll be scrambling on a regular basis.
Ardglass Golf Club
Quite simply breathtaking from beginning to end, Ardglass has grown in stature in recent times and for good reason.
Home to the world's oldest clubhouse, dating back to 1405, the County Down masterpiece provides the trickiest of tests, particularly if the wind kicks up off the Ards peninsula.
From the spectacular, and quite frankly nerve-wracking, opening tee shot, to the par 5 11th where placement is key and the signature downhill par 3 12th, score well at Ardglass and you've achieved something to be proud of.
Many a card has been ruined by the temptation of going for the green at the short par 4 18th, particularly with the wind at your back.
A course favoured by none other than Cool FM favourite Ed Sheeran when he's in the country for shows.
Disappointment for Team NI
As for the actual Writer Cup itself, sadly for this journalist and his team-mates, it turned out to be a less than fruitful result.
Team NI were defeated 6.5 to 5.5, by their Republic of Ireland rivals over the two days of action.
After the first day's play at a sun-kissed Dunmurry, the sides couldn't be separated at 2 points apiece. Yours truly shot a 7-over par round of 77 to take a point alongside partner Neil McKnight.
But that was as good as it got!
We were treated to a stunning three-course meal at Deane's in central Belfast, before a night's stay at the iconic Europa Hotel, which never disappoints.
It was then time to the the closing day at Massereene, where things didn't go to plan for Team NI. A tough time in the 8 singles matches, saw the visitors come away with 4.5 points to regain the trophy.
Until next year...!