Royal Belfast GC v Glasgow GC
25th to 27th June 2025
The CC & BOARD match v Royal Belfast GC (RBGC) is in its infancy compared with the historical relationships we have with other clubs. Only our third full match and second visit over the Irish Sea. Royal Belfast GC is a very traditional and respected club in Northern Ireland with the same values akin to ourselves. From the Scottish Surnames on the ‘Captain’s Board’ the Ulster-Scots influence is etched in the history of the club from inception in 1881 to the present day. My namesake RBGC Hon Sec. Angus Creed was the catalyst along with Past Captain Alastair Gracie in the instigation of the match.
Two years ago we had the first visit to the Emerald Isle and it was a great success, with the Irish hospitality second to none. However it was likened to a sampler Tour, too short and sharp, over just two days and one night. Lesson learnt, our return visit has been extended to two nights. A huge thank you to Angus Creed, who generously arranged a third round of golf at Portstewart for the advanced party of nine, with three members.
Also a change to the organisation, was the ‘advance M&H party’, Stewart Preston and myself. We blazed the trail on Tuesday in a Mini-Bus with the Clubs & Baggage by ferry, allowing the main party to fly a day later with just hand luggage.
There was method in our madness, a stress free start, an extra day and we met up with Angus and Richard Lawson (who helped organise the Portstewart GC visit), excellent company for dinner on Tuesday evening - not so stupid after all.
WEDNESDAY 25th - PORTSTEWART GC
The troops (x7) landed at City Airport late morning. 75mins later we were breathing the sea air at Portstewart, on Northern Ireland’s north coast.
A Club geared up for visitors, we were greeted by their staff and escorted into a lovely clubhouse where in true Irish form - nothing was a problem and any request was never too much. Our hosts Richard, Keith and David warmly welcomed us and had arranged a table for lunch. Guinness in hand we toasted in the Tour and the generosity of our hosts.
Portstewart GC is a unique links course, the front seven holes are like nothing you have ever experienced before. ‘The Strand Course’ originally laid out in 1920 by Willie Park Jnr and then the ‘signiture’ holes in the Doons ‘Thistly Hollow’ were designed by club member Des Giffin in 1986 - What an imagination he had.
The first tee sits up with beautiful vistas over the beach. However as you tee-up and look up, the tee is some 50 meters above the targeted fairway, a shot into the abyss. Each hole on the front nine, through massive grass covered ‘Doons’, have their own individual personality, which demand your attention. Simply a magnificent experience. A halfway-house, is a welcome addition before the back nine, in comparison to the front nine, less spectacular but still as challenging.
We gathered for a meal after golf and presented our three hosts with a gift and our heartfelt appreciation. Back to the hotel in Newtonards for a nightcap and bit of rest before two days with our hosts at Royal Belfast Golf Club (RBGC).
THURSDAY 26th & FRIDAY 27th - RBGC
A leisurely start, breakfast then over to RBGC for mid-day. Guinness all round, we enjoyed the magnificent vista over Belfast Lough, from the flagstone Terrace. Our hosts filtered in to join us, a warm handshake and we renewed of old friendships.
For one of our party, Guinness was not the drink of choice and he went ‘off-piste’.
Kümmel was requested. It was of a sweeter variety than his usual, but from the volume of ‘Silver Bullets’ consumed, over our stay, his taste buds must have made an accommodating adjustment.
Angus Creed announced the pairings which got the usual variety of comments.
Our party of twelve was complete when the last three arrived in time for lunch, hot-foot from the Airport. A few words of welcome from Captain Gregor Law, an Aberdonian, and we were off - Captain Cliff driving in the 2025 match.
A difficult uphill par four to start - on in three for most. No time to relax - a ‘Tennant Cup’ speed green (including the borrows) - only another 17 of them to come.
The course was in fabulous condition, Captain Cliff in his speech at Dinner, requested we pass on our congratulations to the Course manager and staff.
RBGC have just started major renovations to create three new hole designs which will enhance their already fine course. Many trees have been removed to open up views of the Lough and their magnificent Georgian Clubhouse, which were hidden before. Likened to ‘house under the hammer’ we look forward to returning in two years time to see the changes.
Dinner followed the golf. Speeches from both Captains and the half time result:
Down 4½ to 1½. Donald & Al G (half) and straight off the plane pairing G.Mac & David C our only point. A few pints of ‘the black-stuff’ and some convivial chat, before the dreaded four words to spoil the party - ‘your Taxis’ have arrived’.
Back at the hotel - the dreaded three words ‘one for the road’ and a too accommodating night porter behind the bar.
The same Taxi drivers transported a much less vocal group back over to RBGC for breakfast the following morning. New pairings, new day and hopefully new and better results.
Myself and Stewart P had the pleasure of the company of Angus Creed and John Taggart, our match organising counterparts. John will be taking over from Angus after this year. Angus’ excuse - he is reaching his seventy-fifth year and time to hand over the reins - rubbish Angus… ‘it’s only a number’.
From our first chats three years ago, Angus and I were on the same wave-length…having the same name helps. Over these years, Angus has been a delight to correspond with. He has a typically Irish way about him, quiet, understated and yet very professional. Angus made the matches so easy to administer - he will be missed.
No, we were no better on the course today - even worse. I did witness ‘Jeeves’ delivering Kümmels to our last match in a buggy. Maybe we all should have partaken - Graeme & Mal were our only half point.
Lunch and closing speeches from the Captains, reiterating the fabulous few days that we had spent together and emphasising the strong bond between clubs that has developed in a short number of years. The beautiful Salver will not be travelling back over the Irish Sea.
‘Long goodbyes’ over a few more Guinness / Silver Bullets and we were off - 10 for the Airport. Stewart and I by ferry with the squads “weapons of self-destruction”.
A wonderful experience once again, we look forward to hosting our friends from
Royal Belfast Golf Club at Glasgow Golf Club in June 2026.
M&H
Click here to view photographs from the trip
Two years ago we had the first visit to the Emerald Isle and it was a great success, with the Irish hospitality second to none. However it was likened to a sampler Tour, too short and sharp, over just two days and one night. Lesson learnt, our return visit has been extended to two nights. A huge thank you to Angus Creed, who generously arranged a third round of golf at Portstewart for the advanced party of nine, with three members.
Also a change to the organisation, was the ‘advance M&H party’, Stewart Preston and myself. We blazed the trail on Tuesday in a Mini-Bus with the Clubs & Baggage by ferry, allowing the main party to fly a day later with just hand luggage.
There was method in our madness, a stress free start, an extra day and we met up with Angus and Richard Lawson (who helped organise the Portstewart GC visit), excellent company for dinner on Tuesday evening - not so stupid after all.
WEDNESDAY 25th - PORTSTEWART GC
The troops (x7) landed at City Airport late morning. 75mins later we were breathing the sea air at Portstewart, on Northern Ireland’s north coast.
A Club geared up for visitors, we were greeted by their staff and escorted into a lovely clubhouse where in true Irish form - nothing was a problem and any request was never too much. Our hosts Richard, Keith and David warmly welcomed us and had arranged a table for lunch. Guinness in hand we toasted in the Tour and the generosity of our hosts.
Portstewart GC is a unique links course, the front seven holes are like nothing you have ever experienced before. ‘The Strand Course’ originally laid out in 1920 by Willie Park Jnr and then the ‘signiture’ holes in the Doons ‘Thistly Hollow’ were designed by club member Des Giffin in 1986 - What an imagination he had.
The first tee sits up with beautiful vistas over the beach. However as you tee-up and look up, the tee is some 50 meters above the targeted fairway, a shot into the abyss. Each hole on the front nine, through massive grass covered ‘Doons’, have their own individual personality, which demand your attention. Simply a magnificent experience. A halfway-house, is a welcome addition before the back nine, in comparison to the front nine, less spectacular but still as challenging.
We gathered for a meal after golf and presented our three hosts with a gift and our heartfelt appreciation. Back to the hotel in Newtonards for a nightcap and bit of rest before two days with our hosts at Royal Belfast Golf Club (RBGC).
THURSDAY 26th & FRIDAY 27th - RBGC
A leisurely start, breakfast then over to RBGC for mid-day. Guinness all round, we enjoyed the magnificent vista over Belfast Lough, from the flagstone Terrace. Our hosts filtered in to join us, a warm handshake and we renewed of old friendships.
For one of our party, Guinness was not the drink of choice and he went ‘off-piste’.
Kümmel was requested. It was of a sweeter variety than his usual, but from the volume of ‘Silver Bullets’ consumed, over our stay, his taste buds must have made an accommodating adjustment.
Angus Creed announced the pairings which got the usual variety of comments.
Our party of twelve was complete when the last three arrived in time for lunch, hot-foot from the Airport. A few words of welcome from Captain Gregor Law, an Aberdonian, and we were off - Captain Cliff driving in the 2025 match.
A difficult uphill par four to start - on in three for most. No time to relax - a ‘Tennant Cup’ speed green (including the borrows) - only another 17 of them to come.
The course was in fabulous condition, Captain Cliff in his speech at Dinner, requested we pass on our congratulations to the Course manager and staff.
RBGC have just started major renovations to create three new hole designs which will enhance their already fine course. Many trees have been removed to open up views of the Lough and their magnificent Georgian Clubhouse, which were hidden before. Likened to ‘house under the hammer’ we look forward to returning in two years time to see the changes.
Dinner followed the golf. Speeches from both Captains and the half time result:
Down 4½ to 1½. Donald & Al G (half) and straight off the plane pairing G.Mac & David C our only point. A few pints of ‘the black-stuff’ and some convivial chat, before the dreaded four words to spoil the party - ‘your Taxis’ have arrived’.
Back at the hotel - the dreaded three words ‘one for the road’ and a too accommodating night porter behind the bar.
The same Taxi drivers transported a much less vocal group back over to RBGC for breakfast the following morning. New pairings, new day and hopefully new and better results.
Myself and Stewart P had the pleasure of the company of Angus Creed and John Taggart, our match organising counterparts. John will be taking over from Angus after this year. Angus’ excuse - he is reaching his seventy-fifth year and time to hand over the reins - rubbish Angus… ‘it’s only a number’.
From our first chats three years ago, Angus and I were on the same wave-length…having the same name helps. Over these years, Angus has been a delight to correspond with. He has a typically Irish way about him, quiet, understated and yet very professional. Angus made the matches so easy to administer - he will be missed.
No, we were no better on the course today - even worse. I did witness ‘Jeeves’ delivering Kümmels to our last match in a buggy. Maybe we all should have partaken - Graeme & Mal were our only half point.
Lunch and closing speeches from the Captains, reiterating the fabulous few days that we had spent together and emphasising the strong bond between clubs that has developed in a short number of years. The beautiful Salver will not be travelling back over the Irish Sea.
‘Long goodbyes’ over a few more Guinness / Silver Bullets and we were off - 10 for the Airport. Stewart and I by ferry with the squads “weapons of self-destruction”.
A wonderful experience once again, we look forward to hosting our friends from
Royal Belfast Golf Club at Glasgow Golf Club in June 2026.
M&H
Click here to view photographs from the trip