On the eve of the much anticipated Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation, europeantour.comcaught up with David Horsey, a man who knows a thing or two about this week's tournament venue, Royal County Down Golf Club.
Eight years might have passed since the USA sealed a narrow victory in the 2007 Walker Cup, on the beautiful links of Northern Ireland's Royal County Down GC, but the memories of that week remain fresh in David Horsey's mind.
The Englishman, then 22, showed off his talents by picking up three points from four matches, including two wins over American Major Champion Webb Simpson. Now a three-time European Tour winner, he is delighted to be back on a course he rates highly.
"I can’t wait to get out there," he said. "Just looking at some of the pictures the guys have been putting on social media brought back fond memories straight away.
"For a golf course to have such an impact on your memory is quite something, and to come back and see that it’s got better is amazing."
The venue still has the wow factor for Horsey, who reacquainted himself with the 7,186-yard links in a practice round on Tuesday.
“I think Royal County Down GC is consistently ranked in the top ten golf courses in the world and it definitely justifies that," he continued. "They've not changed much because they don't need to. It was perfect as it was and I’m sure it will be a great test this week.
"You come over that brow on the ninth hole to see that view and the Slieve Donard Hotel with the Mourne Mountains in the background and you can't help but be seriously impressed. There are too many great views out there to remember them all. There’s the fourth – a great par three down the hill.
"The 16th hole is also a great hole – it's a short par four with plenty of reward. There are a lot of holes round here where you have to be conservative, though. If you get aggressive going into the trees you can end up making fives, sixes and sevens.
"Patience will be important this week, as is keeping it on the fairway, which is a premium on all links courses. But patience will be the key, especially if the weather’s bad. You can end up chasing and going at flags you shouldn't be, and mistakes follow because of that."
Rory McIlroy on the scenic fourth hole during the DDF Irish Open Pro-Am
In what was arguably one of the strongest Walker Cup line-ups in the contest's history, it was some achievement from Horsey to see off Simpson not once but twice in the singles matches.
"It was a great experience for me to beat Webb twice," said the 30 year old. "I was out last both days in the singles against him and the first day win was vital.
"To get two scalps against someone who has gone to win a US Open is obviously a nice achievement to be able to talk about. Some great players have come out of that Walker Cup.”
Horsey (pictured playing alongside John Parry, enjoyed a fine 2007 Walker Cup)
Five other players from the 2007 Walker Cup are in the star-studded field this week - Americans Rickie Fowler and Jonathan Moore, World Number One and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy and Englishmen John Parry and Danny Willett.
"It’s nice the guys are supporting it and I’m sure they’ll have the same memories as me, regardless of which team they were on," Horsey added. "I've played a few holes with Danny already, I’m still good pals with him.
"The Rory Foundation and Dubai Duty Free have done a great job and a lot of the guys have come because of Rory's influence and because it’s a great golf course. The American boys who played in the Walker Cup remember it as a fine test as well."
Rickie Fowler - back in Northern Ireland for the first time in eight years
