Rated among the world’s best, the Rosapenna links are more than just a destination, they’re a rite of passage for serious golfers. Here’s what makes each of the three courses worth the journey.
On a recent trip to Donegal we had the opportunity to play the three courses on the Rosapenna links, St Patrick’s, Old Tom Morris and Sandy Hills. The resort is located in Downings and has three Hotels, one on site, and a variety of accommodation options.
Sandy Hills is probably the most demanding of the three, with the topography of the course, featuring high dunes, creating a sense of solitude on the fairways of each hole”. Playing off the Blue tees at 6,312 yards was plenty long for our group but the course does extend to 6,767 yards off the back tees.
My favourite hole is the Par 3 -16th playing 162 yards uphill, which has an elevated green and anything short will come back thirty yards. A par is a great score on this hole.
Old Tom Morrisis an old traditional links carved out of the existing landscape with little requirement for earth movement in its construction. At 6,495 yards off the Blue tees the challenge is presented in the design of the course requiring accuracy off the tee to enhance your chances of attacking the pin.
This is my second time playing this course and it certainly grew on me. With an onshore breeze, the back 9 plays with a right to left for 5 holes, followed by left to right wind for the final four holes.
A Tom Doak design, St. Patrick’s is about a 5 minute drive from the main clubhouse and is the most recent addition to the Rosapenna Golf Club. It is rated a top 50 golf course in the world and another course that I came to admire more than the first time I played it.
Measuring 6,490 yards off the ‘Slate’ tees, it is generous off the tee which is great for travelling golfers and then the challenge of elevated greens with some severe drop offs comes into play. The greens here were the best of the three courses in terms of speed. This is a visually beautiful course that most golfers would enjoy playing time after time.
· Accommodation is available onsite or in hotels in Downing. We chose to rent a house for our stay and had breakfast at a local Hotel.
· The Harbour Bar in Downing is the centre of social activity in the area and there is a very nice fish restaurant next door. We also travelled by taxi to the Olde Glen Bar in Glenmenagh for dinner which was excellent.
· Journey times from Dublin are about 4 hours and 2.5 hours from Belfast. There is a three course offer that makes this trip more than worthwhile. We met golfers from all over the world at this venue and it was great to share our golfing tales. If links golf is your thing then Rosapenna is the place.
This trip is ideal for passionate golfers who enjoy playing challenging courses in challenging conditions. As with all links golf wind can play an important part in the playability of courses and Rosapenna is no exception.
The venue is not overly subscribed, so ability to get tee times compares favourably with the South West of the country and the price point is far more favourable for what are equally scenic and demanding courses.
My thanks to Danny McGarvey and the team at Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort for their warm welcome and hospitality throughout our visit.
Up for a challenge? Call Niall on +353 87 3670816 or email niall@heritagegolfgetaways.com
