Travelling Lady Golfer

R – Rosapenna

GB&I Golf Course Review – Z to A

Over the next 26 days, I am going to showcase one golf club a day in GB & I.  It is my ode to some great golf in the UK and Ireland.  Full write up’s and more images can be found on golfgurugroup.blogspot or www.golfgurugroup.com Travelling Lady Golfer tab.  So there is no missing out on that extra little bit of information, if needed.

Feel free to share them to help others.

Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort

Rosapenna, Sheephaven Bay, Downings, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 PN73, Ireland

What does your mind conjure up when you think family run golf resort?

Are you struck with fear that there a once beautiful haven has little investment made into the property or golf course?  The rooms are a bit too homely with animal hairs being a major feature.  Not to mention that musty or cheap cleaning fluid smell as you enter your standard box blue print room which could be anywhere in the world?  Well if that the case, forget it as Rosapenna is nothing like that!

When I reflect on Rosapenna

I remember the home comforts; from the friendly check in to  the freshly baked cookies in a jar in your room.  The warmth and comfort of the bed in the generous sized authentically decorated rooms.   It’s a fine balance between a family run hotel and a home. I think the Casey family at Rosapenna have hit the nail on the head with their perfectly located hotel overlooking Sheephaven Bay.

I arrived at Dublin airport and picked up a hire car.  Whilst a good three and half hour drive to Rosapenna. Passing into and back out of Northern Ireland before reaching my final destination on the northerly tip of Eire was a great experience.  Whilst I did enjoy my drive, you can also fly into Belfast at just over two hours away or Derry just over an hour away

Irelands home of golf since 1893

With the original links designed by Old Tom Morris and revisions from Harry Vardon and Harry Colt.  The later addition of another golf course, Sandy Hills, in 2003 was designed by Pat Ruddy.  With some softening of the design being done by Beau Welling of Quinta do Lago (North) fame.

Marked differences in the two designs of the two complimentary courses are Old Tom routed his course around the dunes. Whereas Pat Ruddy went straight through them, presumably where the name Sandy Hills comes from?

I didn’t play the Old Tom Morris Links, only Sandy Hills, so this is the focus for this article.

A modern links designed in by Pat Ruddy and Frank Casey (Snr) in 2003.

Built to lend a test to any golfer

Clever tricks of the eye are often in play as the course looks narrow from the tee yet, the landing points carved out of the dunes are surprisingly achievable.   With Marram grass lining the fairways keeping the ball in play, is essential for a round of golf the you can hang your head high at the 19th.  Some of the greens have been cut into the dunes or on elevated plateaus for added interest and testing of ones golf nerve.

Tightly mowed fairways

Slick greens and some elevated tees.  This course has been built to expand to its maximum length of 7255 yards.  But of course, you don’t have to play the back tees!  Just elect to play from the tees that work best for you to enjoy this new style links course.  Most of the holes run North to South, along the dune ridges and in parallel to the front nine of Old Tom Morris links.  Creating a sense of seclusion with the Muckiest Mountain as the backdrop.

I recall playing down the fairway, just going about my business hitting the ball.   I looked up and saw the view of the beach and bay spread out in front of me.  It was a breathtaking moment to stop, reflect and enjoy, before being rudely dragged back to tackling that little white ball again!

Take a few days to enjoy Rosapenna, play its golf and just relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding you.   If you need a little more encouragement, this 800 acre estate on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean on the Donegal Coast also offers health and wellbeing centre and a billiard/card room.  Of course the usual putting green and driving range are available to use too, to get you into the golf mindset before having it blown by playing one or both of the championship courses.

In summary, there was a certain ‘newness’ about playing Sandy Hills but this enhanced the overall experience when playing such a beautiful course.

I hope to return one day and play the Old Tom Morris course and have another go at Sandy Hills now it has matured a little more.  And of course to get another batch of those wonderful cookies in my room whilst I sit and enjoy the view over Sheephaven Bay.

S – Southerndown

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