One of the great privileges of helping to oversee the Golf Monthly Top 100 and Next 100 rankings and write about golf courses is that I get to visit and play new courses all of the time. Almost five years ago I passed the 1,000 worldwide milestone, since when I have managed to add another 175 to my tally despite the pandemic and resulting travel restrictions and difficulties.
I am looking forward to venturing a bit further in 2023, and have been thinking about the five courses that are missing from my CV which I am most keen to play.
Rosapenna, St Patrick’s Links
The par-4 tenth with its rugged bunkering at Rosapenna, St Patricks Links
(Image credit: Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort)
- Location Rosapenna, County Donegal
- Founded 1891
- Architect Tom Doak
- GF Round €200 (2023)
- Par 71, 6,490 yards
- Contact Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort (opens in new tab)
When I was last at Rosapenna, way too long ago, I very much enjoyed playing the Sandy Hills Links their with director of golf, Frank Casey Junior. I remember him pointing out the dunescape immediately adjacent and explaining that they hoped in time to revive an on-off project to create a stunning new links.
That time has now come, and the new Rosapenna, St Patrick’s Links opened for play last Summer having been designed by Tom Doak.
The fourth hole on the spectacular new Tom Doak design at Rosapenna, St Patrick’s Links
(Image credit: Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort)
While it is undoubtedly still very new and will naturally take some bedding in, one thing that seems to have been agreed on by all who have visited, is that it is a magical site with brilliant routing and plenty of wow-factor. I cannot wait!
Portsalon
An aerial view of the beautifully-sited Pat Ruddy re-design at Portsalon
(Image credit: Portsalon Golf Club)
- Location Portsalon, County Donegal
- Founded 1891
- Architect Charles Thompson, Pat Ruddy
- GF Round from €120
- Par 72, 6,642 yards
- Contact Portsalon Golf Club (opens in new tab)
If I am heading to Rosapenna, it would be mad to miss out on finally playing Portsalon which has been on my radar for years. It benefited…
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