Old Tom Morris statue at Rosapenna. Rosapenna Sandy Hills par-4 6th.
18th at Ballyliffin’s Glashedy Links. Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort.
Caddy & golfer on 1st at Castlerock GC.
Day 5: BALLYLIFFIN - County Donegal Day 6: ROSAPENNA - County Donegal
Ballyliffin is such a beautiful and intriguing spot, that six-time
major champion Nick Faldo used to visit it before playing the
British Open and at one time was so smitten with the place he
tried to buy it, on the cheap according to locals. A remarkable
36 holes meander through this most beguiling of links land,
with rocky outcrops, perfect greens and enchanting views
of the coast. Principally designed by Mother Nature (with
upgrades by Faldo including new bunkering, tees and enlarged
greens) the classic Old Links undulates in the glory of its
natural terrain. The rippling fairways give the course a unique
character and charm and it’s the type of place where you can
easily imagine the golfing forefathers striding along the sheep-
cropped turf with their hickory clubs. We are now way up in the north-west corner of Ireland, where
the hands of the golfing greats have shaped and moulded the
links at Rosapenna, one of the oldest in the country. Old Tom
Morris laid out the original course in 1893, and over a century
later came the 18 holes of Sandy Hills, which is as inspiring
in the 21st century as the Old Links were in the 19th. This is
another 36 holes of magnificent links golf at its very best and a
stunning location for our final round at Sandy Hills.
The more recent Glashedy Links (designed by Pat Ruddy and
Tom Craddock) is fashioned around the incredible dunes on
predominately higher ground above and beyond the Old Links
offering stunning views as you play. Here, we tee it up with
two other golfers we meet, Jo from Belgium and Scott from
America and engage in a thoroughly enjoyable matchplay
contest. The course kicks off with three long par-4s and the
challenges never let up – negotiating cavernous peat-riveted
bunkers, large contoured greens, fairways that twist and roll
between towering dunes and a collection of exciting par-3s. Designed by Pat Ruddy, Sandy Hills is a course of gargantuan
proportions that bobs and weaves its way through mammoth
sand dunes, with spectacular elevated tees, clearly visible
landing areas and large greens. A statue of Old Tom Morris
who must have seen it all before, watches on as we drive off
on the 501 yards par-5 opener. The holes wind and twist their
way through a maze of the tallest and shaggiest dunes on the
coast, where a sense of isolation and tranquility surrounds you.
One hole that will etch itself in the memory is the par-4 6th
where you drive over a crest then look down at the emerald
green below with a stunning panorama of Muckish Mountain,
Sheephaven Bay and the golden beach of Tramore. Sandy Hills
at Rosapenna isn’t your average layout – it’s a golfing adventure
on a brilliant course and a fitting finale to our ‘Northern Links’
trip...
Overnight: Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort (Rosapenna) Overnight: McGrory’s (Culdaff)
WHERE TO PLAY (The 6 courses) WHERE TO STAY
Ardglass Golf Club: www.ardglassgolfclub.com Slieve Donard Resort & Spa: www.hastingshotels.com/slieve-
Portstewart Golf Club: www.portstewartgc.co.uk donard-resort-and-spa/
Royal Portrush Golf Club: www.royalportrushgolfclub.com Bushmills Inn: www.bushmillsinn.com
Castlerock Golf Club: www.castlerockgc.co.uk Ballyliffin Lodge & Spa Hotel: www.ballyliffinlodge.com
Ballyliffin Golf Club: www.ballyliffingolfclub.com Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort: www.rosapenna.ie
Rosapenna Golf Club: www.rosapenna.ie McGrory’s –www.mcgrorys.ie
For more information and a variety of golf packages to play in the area, visit: www.northandwestcoastlinks.com
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