Sandy Hills Links
Opened in June 2003, this beautiful championship links course is set to become one of the most famous golf courses in Ireland if the rave reviews are anything to go by. Designed by Pat Ruddy, this course has been described as "simply breathtaking" and having been privileged to play Sandy Hills ourselves we can only agree.
Where Old Tom settled for a course alongside the dunes, Pat Ruddy has gone straight through them creating an awesome links course that will test any golfer, yet, somehow he has managed to keep the romance going for those who find the course a real challenge.
Sandy Hills is in many ways the ideal modern links course designed with championship play in mind and intended for the serious golfer. Its narrow fairways appear constricting from the tee, but the landing areas sculpted from the dunes are deceptively wide. This championship golf course will offer any golfer a stern test off the back (measuring 7,255 yards) or a great experience for the higher handicapper (whites 6,383 yards/ yellows 5,787 yards) off the front tees.
There are no weak holes on the new layout, but the best come at the stretch of Nos. 6-13, which romp across the interior dunes. No. 6 is at the far southern end of the course, with the drive over a crest that reveals a picture-postcard view of the sickle of beach and bay with Muckish Mountain straight ahead. No. 7 is a downhill Par-3 to a sliver of green peeking from the dunes, and the eighth leads inland, tumbling downhill and then rising toward the backdrop of Carrigart and the Lough Salt Mountains in the distance.
Hole no. 12 heads upwards through the dunes, and the 13th, having reached the higher ground, is a seamless band of smother fairway that coils to the right towards Murloy Bay. No doubt Old Tom would approve of what has become of this links land that he so keenly recognized more than a century ago.
To conclude, above all, the appeal of Sandy Hills lies in its beautifully balanced routing through the high dunes cloaked in marram grass. These sandhills bear a striking resemblance to the ones near the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland that form the spine of Royal Portrush, Portstewart and Castlerock. Many of the holes feature elevated tees and greens, with drives into natural bowls on the dune floor.
Old Tom Morris Links
Steeped in history this course has a story to tell and an interesting one it is. In 1891, while a guest of Lord Leitrim at his nearby estate, Old Tom Morris of St. Andrews, a winner of four British Opens in the 1860’s, took a drive to enjoy the Donegal scenery.
Morris was quick to see the golfing potential of this fine stretch of Donegal coast line and before returning to the home of golf he had staked-out the first Rosapenna Links, incorporating wide rolling fairways amidst the undulating terrain and of course those delightful greens.
Back at St. Andrews, Old Tom was quick to tell of his discovery and so it was that Rosapenna became a place of pilgrimage for golfers at the turn of the century. Amongst those to follow were two other great golfing champions Harry Vardon and James Braid who won 11 British Open titles between them. They added length and more detailed bunkering but were wise enough to leave those wonderful natural greens.
As with most good links courses, the Old Tom Morris course takes advantage of natural terrain to provide a classic links golf challenge.
The front nine play inland and around the coastguard hill and offer superb vistas over Mulroy Bay.
The back nine holes which are classic links run between the ocean and the high dune ridge in what is known locally as "The Valley" finishing infront of the Golf Pavilion. Though the Old Tom Morris Course measures only 6,450 yards from the back tees there are, on this par 70 layout, no fewer than six two-shotters in the 400-yards-plus category.
To get the most from the your golf break use the venue guide below. Simply click on the tabs below to access relevant information regarding Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort.
- Hotel
- Video Vault
- Nightlife
- Places of Interest
- Testimonials
Rossapenna Hotel & Golf Resort
It doesn't matter if you are visiting from abroad or from another part of the island, Rosapenna, with a warm and friendly welcome creates a congenial atmosphere which visitors find relaxing and enjoyable.
The Restaurant
You've battled and hopefully overcome the testing links, or you've just strolled the length of one of the beautiful beaches, or climbed the mountains. Whatever you have chosen, it is now time to relax and enjoy the culinary delights that Rosapenna has to offer. Tranquil lounges and elegant dining areas overlooking the bay combine to set the ambience.
Our restaurant specialises in local seafood. Cod, Hake, Monkfish and Haddock are all landed on the pier opposite the hotel. Lobster are caught along the Atlantic Drive Headlands and for Scallops we have something very special. Our chef is in a position to make a call and divers deliver their Scallop gathered that afternoon to be served fresh on the night's menu.......It doesn't get any fresher than that !
Nightlife In Downings
Down at the local pub rugged faced men, with a boyish twinkle in their eyes, tell stories and relate folklore over a pint with such ease that time itself might well stand still. Where traditional music can stir the blood and the craic can be mighty and continue late into the night.
Shopping In Downing
A place to get away from shopping.
Must See or Do
Gartan Lough Centre
Introduction to Kayaking takes place on Gartan Lough, close to the training centre as well as the River Lennon which flows from the lake.
The river provides excellent training for introducing participants to whitewater kayaking.
Kayaks are paddled solo, have an enclosed cockpit and are
paddled with a double-bladed paddle.
Lifford Stadium (Greyhound)
A night at Lifford Stadium cannot be imagined, it must be experienced. This state of the art complex is situated in Lifford, Co. Donegal, easily accessible from Counties Derry, Tyrone and all of Donegal.
The complex boasts three bars, a five star restaurant, carvery and Saturday night entertainment. Dress code is smart casual and from your restaurant table you will be attended throughout the evening by dedicated staff.
Tote staff will also visit your table for any bets you might wish to place.
Glenveagh National Park
Glenveagh National Park lies in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north-west of Co. Donegal. It is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains and pristine lakes. The Park, over 14,000 acres in extent consists of three areas. A fine Victorian castle surrounded by beautiful gardens is picturesquely located on the eastern shore of the lake and provides the focal point for visitors to the Park.
Testimonials
"A stunning modern links that funnels its way through centuries-old dunes created by and still whipped by the winds coming in off the Atlantic Ocean. A must play links course for serious golf enthusiasts. Perhaps the best praise that can be given Sandy Hills is that there is not one weak hole on the course. In fact I would venture to say that there is not even one average hole on the course. With the Atlantic winds blowing, Sandy Hills simply offers a test of golf at its purest and toughest"
Peter Acheson, Editor, Golf Digest Ireland
"A treasured memory that will stay with me forever is how I would describe my favourite hole, the 10th, which heads back towards the sea through a secret valley in the dunes, with the raised green framed by the grey peak of Muckish. If there was one hole I would chose to play again, before departing this land, it would have to be this hole".
D.Mason
- Golf Break Prices 2010
Resort facilities are listed in good faith but due to circumstances these might not be available during your stay or may differ.
» 6 covered bays
» 100 metre teeing area
» 2 putting greens
» Short game facility
» Practice sand bunker & green
» On course tuition,
» Explanar golf training system
» Professional Shop
» Clubhouse
» Gym
» Snooker
» Beauty Treatment
» Indoor pool
» Satellite TV
» Fridge
» Direct dial phones
» Iron
» Hairdryer
» Bar
» Resturant
