Once every blue moon or so, I am lucky enough to head off on an extended golfing adventure to fuel future coverage in print and on the website. Before this May, I had been to County Donegal just once, in 2011. Since then, a huge amount has changed on the golfing front in this outstandingly beautiful county, while one of the most highly vaunted new designs has been unleashed on the golfing world. I was keen to see as much as possible, and while time available meant missing one or two of the region’s brightest lights, my tour would take in no fewer than three UK&I Top 100 courses, two from the Next 100, and a further eclectic handful of varying size and description. Joining me on this golfing odyssey was fellow courses’ aficionado and good friend, Jeremy Ellwood, and while we are saving some of our discoveries for other features, I am delighted here to recommend six of the best that we visited while based at Rosapenna, the excellent golf resort owned by the Casey family.
Old Tom Morris Links
The sixth on Old Tom Morris Links has a brilliant green site in the dunes
(Image credit: Larry Lambrecht)
The first course at Rosapenna opened in 1891 and was designed by Old Tom Morris before subsequent changes by three golfing greats; Vardon, Braid and Colt. These holes are now split, with the original back nine still played as the Coastguard nine, while a newer nine was created resulting in two quite different and yet perfectly complementary nines to enjoy.
The green on the beautifully sited par-3 fourteenth on Old Tom Morris Links
(Image credit: Larry Lambrecht)
There are plenty of strong holes, with highlights including a par 3 on each nine; the seventh with a carry over a rugged, sand-scraped hill, and the fourteenth which is played in the opposite direction to a green where run-offs lead to sneakily placed bunkers. Even without its two superstar siblings, it is a cracking links with plenty to enjoy.
Sandy Hills Links
Glorious views await as you play the sixth on Sandy Hills Links
(Image credit: Larry Lambrecht)
When I first played Sandy Hills Links in 2011 with Frank Casey Junior, I was greatly impressed but also keen to see if was as good as I had remembered. I headed out with Jeremy, who had also played it just the once, even longer ago. In no time at all, we were reminded of just how good it is. But let’s be honest, it’s also tough! If a false front is your thing, then you will find them here in abundance. This also means that you can see exactly what you…
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