Meet the architects who shaped Royal County Down
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One of the world’s most revered golf courses, Royal County Down has evolved significantly since the very first hole was constructed in 1889, aided by the input of some of golf’s greatest names and faces. Here, we take a look at those who have shaped the course into what it is today.
George Baillie. The origins of Royal County Down can be traced back to George Baillie, a Scottish schoolteacher and golf enthusiast who was instrumental in laying out the club’s original nine-hole course, which opened in March 1889. While primitive compared to today’s standards, his initial routing maximized the natural dunes and rugged landscape of the area, setting the foundation for future developments. His efforts ensured that the course seamlessly blended into the dramatic terrain, a characteristic that remains a hallmark of the course today.
Old Tom Morris. “I wonder why they send for me,” said Old Tom Morris, “this Mr Baillie kens mair about laying golf links than I dae.” When the renowned Scottish golfer and architect was invited but a few months after the course was opened to advise on its expansion to 18 holes, he was humble about his abilities. But, after a two-day consultation, three new holes were immediately added, with a further six between the autumn of 1889 and the spring of 1890. These were in the days when there was no need to indulge in major-earth-moving, so by July 1890 the full course was ready to play. Known for his ability to utilize natural landforms, Morris introduced the courses iconic blind shots, deep bunkers, and undulating fairways, helping to cement County Down’s reputation as a challenging and visually stunning links course. The greens he designed, though small by modern standards, have remained a core feature.
George Combe. The ‘Convenor of the Green’ between 1900 and 1913, George Combe was a key figure in the development of Royal County Down, responsible for the lengthening the course in a number of locations as the game transitioned from the guttie to the rubber core Haskell ball. He made alternations at 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 16 and 18 – only 6 of Old Tom’s original holes remained untouched once Combe was finished.
Harry Vardon. In 1908, the six-time Open Champion and one of the great figures in golf history was one of a number of famous names that visited and contributed to the development of the course in the early 20th century. Though not primarily known as an architect, the Jersey-born golfer provided strategic input that led to refinements in the bunkering and fairway routing. His influence helped to enhance the course’s playability while maintaining its inherent difficulty, particularly in windy conditions.
James Braid. One of the most influential figures in golf course architecture, James Braid also played a role in refining the course at Royal County Down. Best known for his work on courses like Gleneagles and Carnoustie, Braid introduced subtle but effective modifications to the layout, particularly in terms of green design. His philosophy of creating natural yet testing holes is evident in the course’s enduring appeal.
J.H. Taylor. The third and final member of golf’s ‘Great Triumvirate’ alongside Vardon and Braid, J.H. Taylor also had a hand in shaping Royal County Down. Taylor, a five-time Open Champion and a proponent of strategic course design, focused on refining the hazards and green complexes. His work emphasized the need for careful planning and execution, reinforcing the course’s reputation as a thinking golfer’s challenge.
Harry Colt. In 1925, Harry Colt made some of the most significant and lasting changes to the course since the visit of Old Tom. Celebrated for his work on courses like Muirfield and Sunningdale, Colt made alterations to a number of holes but is heralded most for the creation of the present-day 4th, with it’s famous raised green, and the 9th, played over a plunging summit into the dune. As two of the most aesthetic golf holes ever created, they left enough of a legacy for some to refer to Royal County Down, fairly or unfairly, as a Harry Colt course.
Donald Steel. The man behind the final significant changes to the course, Steel’s work began in 1997 when he was commissioned to undertake a considerable strengthening of the 17th and 18th holes, the latter becoming one of the most challenging finishing holes on any golf course worldwide. Then, in 2005, the Englishman created an entirely new 16th hole, a short but difficult par-four, complete with an incredible backdrop of the misty Mourne Mountains.
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Mackenzie & Ebert. The men behind the construction of the two new holes at Royal Portrush that ensured the return of The Open to its links in 2019, Mackenzie & Ebert are noted for their work on the Annesley Links, the second course at RCD, but have also made subtle upgrades on the Championship Course in recent years to ensure it continues to meets the demands of modern golf.