Northern Ireland

New television series showcases north's world-class golf courses

Paul McGinley, Chris Hollins and John Lawler, Royal Portrush Golf Club General manager, at the iconic fifth green overlooking the White Rocks beach, Portrush. Picture by Paul Faith
Paul McGinley, Chris Hollins and John Lawler, Royal Portrush Golf Club General manager, at the iconic fifth green overlooking the White Rocks beach, Portrush. Picture by Paul Faith Paul McGinley, Chris Hollins and John Lawler, Royal Portrush Golf Club General manager, at the iconic fifth green overlooking the White Rocks beach, Portrush. Picture by Paul Faith

A NEW television show showcasing Ireland’s world-class golf courses has been launched on Sky Sports.

The first episode of the programme aired last night with hosts Dublin golfer Paul McGinley and BBC presenter Chris Hollins visiting some of the north's top golf courses, including Lough Erne, Ardglass, Royal Portrush, Portstewart, Ballycastle and Royal County Down.

'Golf’s Greatest Holes' follows McGinley and Hollis as they play courses around the island of Ireland with the six-part series expected to reach a global TV audience of millions of golfers.

McGinley said: "Obviously I know how wonderful the island of Ireland is and I was so happy to show it off to Chris and the rest of the world.

"There are so many of the courses in our show that hold very special memories for me - it is where I grew up playing with my dad, where I became a professional and we returned to the place I ended up marrying my wonderful wife (at Luttrellstown Golf Club).

"It is a very special place and the series really brings out that magic of the courses and the locations."

Hollins added that the "trip was so much better than I dreamt it would be".

"The courses we played have been on my bucket list for such a long time and they surpassed all expectations," he said. But the highlights, as always are the scenery and the incredible hospitality."

Niall Gibbons from Tourism Ireland said: "With many people across GB set to watch the series on Sky Sports - and subsequently with a huge audience elsewhere around the world - it’s a great way to shine a spotlight on our world-class golf".