Downings,
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Office
+353 (0)74 915 5301Pro shop
+353 (0)74 915 5000Fax
+353 (0)74 915 5899Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Frank Casey Jnr (Director of Golf).The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Pat Ruddy with input from owner Frank Casey Snr.
The three 18-hole championship courses at Rosapenna are: Old Tom Morris Links (par-71, 6915 yards from back tees); Sandy Hills Links (par-72, 7183 yards), St Patrick's Links (par-71, 6930 yds, rating 73.2; located 4.5 km S of the main resort centre).
55.175400
-7.815980
1.5 km S of Downings / 60 km NW of Derry (Londonderry).
From Letterkenny, take the N56 direction Dunfanaghy. After 24 km turn right onto the R245 direction Carrickart (aka Carrigart or Carraig Airt). After 10.2 km, just before Carrickart village and its church, turn left onto the R248 direction Rosapenna. After 2.5 km Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Pavilion is on your left.
Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort (Sandy Hills Links): Rosapenna underwent something of a transformation in the early-2000s when the original Old Tom Morris Links (aka the Old Links) was joined by the newer Sandy Hills Links. The "new kid on the block" was designed by Pat Ruddy of the European Club, who crafted a full-blooded, through-the-dunes links layout, which is both challenging and breathtakingly natural.
On the front-nine of this modern out-and-back links layout there are many exacting drives to make between the marram grass-covered dunes. On a few occasions there's only a marker post to guide your way. Space to land the ball opens up and closes down unexpectedly, especially on your first visit.
The back-nine is a tad more forgiving, but just a tad mind you. With a constantly undulating layout, fairways that swirl and tumble, mischievous greenside pot bunkers and usually fast, firm greens, all the ingredients of great links golf are here in abundance.
Flanked for the most part by the Old Tom Morris Links, Sandy Hills is a spectacular layout that has matured into a true Irish links classic. Don't be surprised if there's just you and your playing partners in sight. For much of the time you'll be tucked-in amongst the towering sand dunes, with opportunities to take-in spectacular views over the neighbouring Old Tom Morris course and beautiful Sheephaven Bay.
Pick of the holes: romping across the interior dunes, the best stretch of Sandy Hills arguably lies between the 6th and 13th. The par-4 6th is located at the southern end of the course, requiring a drive over a crest that reveals a picture-postcard view of the crescent of Tramore Beach with Muckish Mountain straight ahead. The par-3 7th plays downhill to a sliver of green peeking out from the dunes, while the par-5 8th leads inland, at first tumbling downhill, then climbing toward the backdrop of Carrigart and the Lough Salt Mountains in the distance. Towering dunes continue as you tee-up at the par-4 9th, and start the winding journey back to Rosapenna's impressive Golf Pavilion.
Stay&Play at Rosapenna: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Proof of handicap may be requested.
Contact club for full details, online rates, discounts, Stay&Play packages, 3-course combination tickets, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Non-metal spike facility. Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire. Caddies available (if pre-booked).
Good
The undoubted popularity of the area around the village of Rosapenna can be seen in the growth of all manner of activities on offer, including water-skiing, jet-skiing, yachting, dinghy sailing, diving, deep-sea fishing and river fishing, as well as swimming in a safe seaside environment.
To the south of Rosapenna's original golf courses lay two further 18-hole courses. The layouts, known as St Patrick's Golf Links, comprised the Maheramagorgan course designed by Eddie Hackett (1982), and the Trá Mór course designed by Joanne O'Haire (1993). After a period of dormancy, these courses were recrafted into an 18-hole layout by world renowned designer Tom Doak. After opening for play in 2021, the new St Patrick's Links promptly entered GOLF magazine's Top 100 ranking as the world's 55th best course.
Sandy Hills Links:
Ireland's 19th best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 81st best course (Golf World, 2024).
Sheephaven Bay, Downings, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal F92 PN73.
+353 (0)74 915 5301
Visit websiteLocated on the edge of the picturesque Sheephaven Bay, Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort offers an onsite luxury hotel, three great championship courses (Old Tom Morris, Sandy Hills and St Patrick's Links), excellent practice facilities, a stunning bayview restaurant and much more.
Rosapenna is an excellent venue for a golfing break or just a quiet getaway in this beautiful corner of Donegal. The very efficient and friendly staff ensure that golfers and non-golfers alike will enjoy their time at Rosapenna - an excellently run hotel in one of Ireland's most up and coming golf and holiday destinations.
Rosapenna (Old Tom Morris, Sandy Hills and St Patrick's Links).
No
Portsalon
124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.
79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).
Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.
Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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