Rosapenna (Sandy HIlls)
Rosapenna (Sandy Hills)
Co. Donegal’s rich set of golf courses includes 45 holes at
Rosapenna. Rosapenna combines the very old with the very new:
Old Tom Morris came here in the 1890s, while Sandy Hills was
designed over 100 years later by Pat Ruddy. Given this stormy sea of
dunes crashing over high ground, Pat must have been in his element
as he carved fairways through the natural contours. Elevated tees
promise delicious tee shots onto tossing fairways before rising to
the greens. At times it feels as if you only come up for air between
holes, to be met by the stunning vistas.
Donegal
The stunning setting of Donegal Golf Club (aka Murvagh) is part of
this wonderful links golf experience… as is the long, isolated drive
to reach the course. ‘Long’ and ‘isolated’ also aptly describe the
course. The club is tucked away from prying eyes (barely a house to
be seen on the surrounding hills and Blue Stack Mountains) and such
remoteness is enchanting. As for length, Donegal is renowned for it.
From the back tees it is 6,765 metres, so you’ll be pleased to know
there are five tees to choose from. Low snaking dunes rush over the
spacious terrain, rising to become more aggressive beasts next to
Donegal Bay, where the best run of holes can be found.
136
Royal County Down
There is no experience in the world – let alone Ireland – to compare
with Royal County Down. Revered and feared in equal measure the
course sits under the gaze of the Mourne Mountains and alongside
Dundrum Bay. It boasts several terrifying blind shots, heather and
gorse strewn dunes, bearded bunkers, greens like velvet, and a terrain
of ever shifting surprises. It is magical and it is monstrous. The hands
of many of the greatest names in golf have left their imprint here.
Old Tom Morris, Harry Vardon and Harry Colt have influenced how
this course has come to be known as the world’s greatest links and,
while the course has evolved slowly, it still feels as if nothing has
changed at all. It is timeless.
Lough Erne
The lakes of Co. Fermanagh make this entire region dazzle like
diamonds. And, around one such diamond, Nick Faldo created a
glorious parkland course with water always in view and often in
play. Lough Erne is the plushest of Ireland’s golf resorts, with five
star quality every inch of the way – in the hotel, the spa and on the
golf course, where no expense has been spared. It’s the full package
and even the walk over the bridge to reach the 1st tee oozes quality.
The course starts beside Castle Hume Lough, before sliding quickly
into the forest where you’ll fully appreciate the size and scale of the
greens and green complexes. When the course reaches the par five
6th, high up between hotel and water, you will discover the biggest
charms of Lough Erne: generous, languid fairways flowing over
ever moving terrain. For lakeside golf there are far more elevation
changes than you’d expect.