Plans unveiled for North's first new championship links golf course for 100 years

Plans to create the first championship-standard links golf course in Northern Ireland for more than 100 years have been announced.

Hospitality group Galgorm Collection is investing £30 million (€34 million) in building the course at Bellarena on the north west coast between Limavady and Coleraine.

The announcement comes as the North continues to play host to the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club around 20 miles away.

Golf tourism in Northern Ireland generates £86 million (€99 million) annually – a figure that has increased 66 per cent since Portrush last hosted the Open in 2019 – but tourist bosses have highlighted that capacity is a limiting factor in driving further growth, with only so many visitors being able to play on the North's landmark seaside links course at any one time.

Tourism NI has previously flagged a desire for a new course to be built and Friday’s announcement means that is set to become reality in four years, with Galgorm Collection planning to open its new course in 2029.

The company already owns and runs the championship parkland course at Galgorm Castle in Ballymena and a course at Roe Valley in Limavady.

Subject to planning permission being approved, Galgorm Collection said development of Bellarena Golf Links will start next year.

It said building the course would bring its total investment in the north west to around £65 million, creating an additional 300 jobs.

Galgorm Collection managing director Colin Johnston said: “Our exciting plans to develop a new 18-hole links golf course at Bellarena on Northern Ireland’s stunning north west coast will deliver a once-in-generation opportunity to drive a new era of golfing and tourism success that will amplify our outstanding and