This week, the Royal County Down Golf Club will host the Irish Open.
It may be the best golf course in Ireland, and it is undoubtedly a favorite of world No. 3 Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy's only Walker Cup appearance was in a 2007 loss to the United States at the Irish Sea links, just 50 minutes from his childhood home in Holywood.
But, as he explains, the course still brings back good memories.
Rory McIlroy tees off on the sixth hole during the final round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Castle Pines Golf Club.
Unlike most other high-profile professional golfers, McIlroy has not dabbled with design, but as he gets olde
his interests will shift, and golf course building will most certainly become a part of his repertory.
"I think it's hard because a professional golfer's perspective on what makes a good golf course is probably a little different than what a good golf course actually is,
McIlroy said on the eve of the Irish Open. "You know, we think of it as a place that obviously tests many areas of our game,
when you ask most tour players what a good golf course is, they will answer thick rough, firm greens, trees, doglegs, and so on.