The small town welcoming the golfing world

It was business as usual down on Portrush’s beautiful East Strand as the lifeguard looked out from her perch to the handful of dog walkers and paddlers on the beach.

A mile out to sea, the outcrops of rock known as the Skerries stood stoically as the gentlest of waves lapped their surfaces and all about them was a picture of late-afternoon, sun-kissed calm.