We arrived in Coleraine on Monday from Dublin via Cork and Galway having experienced some lively Irish craik and consumed lots of excellent seafood washed down by Guinness over the past ten days. Wine is tricky here - often not available by the glass and we were often driving so went with the low alcohol option of beer. Heineken is 4.3% here; 5.0% at home. Guinness is 4.2% and they make a very drinkable zero version.

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We are glamping at the Sports Academy at Ulster University in Coleraine about five miles from Portrush. 200 glamping tents plus what seems like several hundred two person camp tents. Very well organised with live music every night and some food options on site. Well over 1500 people staying here. The free shuttle to the Open leaves nearby.

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I have been really impressed by the infrastructure at The Open.  All temporary buildings but many are two storey and one is three storey. Huge grandstand structures throughout the course including the amphitheatre at the 18th green which you will all see on TV. They have also erected at least three pedestrian bridges (think the pedestrian overbridge going across the railway lines in Dunedin) outside the gates spanning the road.

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The course is huge. The holes are often well separated which allows lots of opportunities to view the players. It is quite hilly with steep little hills to climb. We only got round the rest of the course today so I doubt it’s possible to see the whole course in a day unless you followed just one group. Feet are a bit sore.

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It is however very pretty. Nice sea views and to the north we could see the headland on the Giants Causeway (Finn McCool’s chimney for those who have been there).   The fairways are gorgeous and you can putt well before the green -saw Bryson putting from about 50 metres out (must have been talking to Nick). The greens are fast but not excessively so and we haven’t seen a lot of putts go in. I think there are lots of subtle breaks. Bunkers are bigger than the pot bunkers in Scotland and not quite as deep. Still deep though.

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There is at least one drivable par 4 and the three par 5’s are reachable in two for most players. The par threes are tight especially the third.

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Stunning weather today and lots of sunscreen needed. Forecast tomorrow is for showers in the afternoon. We are planning to be at the course between 6.30 and 7 to follow Ryan Peake for a few holes and will head back to tee 1 to watch Foxy. Rory tees off later preceded by some of the American stars so will try and see some of that before we leave about 5. Heading for Belfast and catching up with John and Judy Marsh for dinner tomorrow night.

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Cheers
Hamish