The club has submitted a pre-application notice to the planning department, proposing a major renovation of nine holes on the championship course

A significant redevelopment of a Co Down golf course could be connected to ambitions for hosting the Open Championship.

Royal Co Down in Newcastle has submitted a pre-application notice to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's planning department this week.

Planning consultants Clyde Shanks have set out proposals for one of the "greatest golf courses in the world", with plans to redesign nine holes on the main course.

According to its website, the firm states: "The application comprises major development...and the proposals have been the subject of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

"The proposed development relates to changes to the existing golf links and comprises new and revised teeing areas, revisions to greens, new bunkers, reconfiguration of fairways and an element of modest duneland reprofiling as well as utilisation of existing parts of the course.", reports Belfast Live.

"Specifically, works are proposed on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th holes and to the 1st and 2nd holes on the Annesley links.

"The aim is to significantly upgrade the course to reflect Royal Co Down's status as one of the very best golf courses in the world and one of the most significant golf tourism assets in Northern Ireland."

Royal Co Down previously played host to the Irish Open most recently in 2024, drawing some of the biggest names in world golf. The Open Championship is regarded as the most historic and prestigious of golf's four Majors, with four Irish victors including Pádraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.

Portrush has previously staged the Open in 2019 and 2025, with the town benefiting from a £17million regeneration programme in preparation for the initial tournament.

Completed works encompassed a £6million public realm initiative, a new £5.6million railway station and £500,000 allocated towards revitalising local shop fronts.

Independent analysis indicates that last year's Open in Portrush delivered "a total economic impact of £89.2million" to Northern Ireland.