Rosapenna (St Patrick's Links)
Rosapenna (St Patrick's Links) | NCG Top 100s : GB & Ireland Golf Courses
Rankings
1st
5th
14th
15th
152nd
Opened in 2021, the St Patrick’s Links at the Rosapenna Golf Resort is easily the youngest golf course that you will find on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Courses list.
It says a lot that it has gone straight into the higher echelons on this list. Tom Doak designed the course on land formerly playing host to 36 holes of golf.
The St Patrick’s Links, along with the Old Tom Morris Links and the Sandy Hills Links, provide golfers with plenty of choice during a trip to Rosapenna.
2024 notes: A stunning success. This links was decades in the making and was almost home to 36 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus. Doak has used the expanse of prime linksland alongside Sheephaven Bay to create a masterpiece.
You can read our full piece on the Rosapenna Golf Resort here.
Visit Rosapenna's website here.
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A Brief History of Rosapenna (St Patrick’s Links)
The St Patrick’s Links at Rosapenna only opened at the start of the decade, making it the third course at the Rosapenna Resort.
Tom Doak, the world-renowned golf course architect, was the man behind the design of the new layout, which encompassed the space by the Maheramagorgan Links and the Tra Mor Links.
The land was bought in 2012, but it was not until 2018 that construction and work began on the course. The finishing touches were carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the course officially opening in 2021 to great acclaim from the world’s press.
Rosapenna (St Patrick’s Links) Review | NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Courses
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Rosapenna’s newest golfing offering, the St Patrick’s Links, has become an instant classic. Tom Doak's design used the space from the original two golf courses (Maheramagorgan Links and Tra Mor Links) beautifully. The layout is the southernmost of the three at Rosapenna, and features a number of holes that run along the coastline.
The Par 71 layout pushes 7,000 yards and plays among the dunes for the first few holes, before you reach the northwest coastline of Ireland. The 3rd is the opening par 3 on the course, and it is quickly followed by the par 5 4th. It plays more than 550 yards, and as a slight dog-leg right towards the beach. The par 3 5th is more than 210 yards long and plays over a large sandy area. Views of Tramore Beach and Sheephaven Bay are in full view along this stretch of the course.
6 is the longest hole on the course, with the fairway split into two by another large waste area, which runs diagonally across the fairway. Only the longest of hitters will be able to clear this area and think about going for the 6th green in two. 7 and 8 run parallel to each other, and play in opposite directions, while the closing hole on the front nine playing more than 450 yards long. The 9th is a long and tough par 4, with dunes on either side and plenty of sandy areas for errant shots to find.
“I’m starting to think it might be the best golf course that’s opened in the UK and Ireland in the last century,” - Dan Murphy, NCG Top 100s Editor, on the ‘NCG Golf Podcast’
“I’m starting to think it might be the best golf course that’s opened in the UK and Ireland in the last century,” - Dan Murphy, NCG Top 100s Editor, on the ‘NCG Golf Podcast’
The back nine begins with two more tough par 4s, including the 470-yard 11th. Although there is only one small bunker on the entire hole, the length and the encroaching dunes as you get closer to the green make 11 a tough test. The 12th and 13th are at the southern end of the resort, with the latter being a short but narrow par 4.
14 brings you back to the beach, with a short dog-leg right. It plays longer than its 395 yards on the card due to the change of direction, with a narrow entrance to the green and Tramore Beach on your right. The 15th is the shortest hole on the course, but can play from a wedge through to a long iron depending on the wind direction.
17 is also a par 4, but with no bunkers, there should be no real danger. Apart from the fact it plays more than 200 yards and there are dunes all around. The closing hole on the St Patrick’s Links has a wide landing area, the widest on the property. The green... Not so wide... It takes a two good shots to grab a par on the final hole of the day.
Our Panellists Notes for 2024
Chris Myatt: Enjoyable at every shot. Would love to see the 9th hole played from the 7th tee and 17/18, whilst both interesting enough holes, feel a little temporary, maybe with a view to locating a clubhouse or building nearby when the final holes can be rerouted towards it. 16th hole is outstanding.
Dove Jones: Fantastic addition to an already world-class resort.
Peter Rudd: The design is certainly different, but this will always be a course that divides opinion. The challenge with its undulating fairways and greens will not appeal to every golfer especially those aiming to score well. Doak has basically left things as they were which means some of the par 4’s are semi blind making it difficult to know exactly what to aim for.
Josh Poysden: Love the width and intrigue on every hole and the greens mean lots of different pin positions to improve variety. Modern design at its best - will be even better when it is completely bedded in.
Read more about our panellists here.
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FAQs about the Rosapenna Resort
Where is Rosapenna Resort located?
The Rosapenna Resort is situated in the very north of the island, yet still in Ireland. It is between the villages of Muslack and Harbourview. 40 miles to the southeast is Derry/Londonderry, the biggest city in the north of the country.
The Rosapenna Resort is situated in the very north of the island, yet still in Ireland. It is between the villages of Muslack and Harbourview. 40 miles to the southeast is Derry/Londonderry, the biggest city in the north of the country.
Derry is also the location of the nearest train station, again 40 miles from Rosapenna. The nearest train station in Ireland is in Sligo, but that is 90 miles to the south. Instead, buses and taxis are the best way to get around the country. The City of Derry Airport is the nearest international airport to Rosapenna, around an hour away from the resort. However, Derry Airport only runs flights to the United Kingdom, while Belfast International Airport, the biggest in Northern Ireland, is just over two hours from Rosapenna.
How many courses are at the Rosapenna Resort?
The St Patrick's Links is the newest course at Rosapenna, but it is one of three 18-hole layouts at the venue. The Rosapenna Resort is also home to the Old Tom Morris Links and the Sandy Hills Links.
How many courses are at the Rosapenna Resort?
The St Patrick's Links is the newest course at Rosapenna, but it is one of three 18-hole layouts at the venue. The Rosapenna Resort is also home to the Old Tom Morris Links and the Sandy Hills Links.
Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Ireland venues nearby?
Along with the three courses at Rosapenna, the northwestern corner of Ireland is also home to the likes of Portsalon, North West, Cruit Island and Ballyliffin - home to the Old Course and Glashedy Course. Portsalon is the closest of those to the resort, around 15 miles east of Rosapenna.
Along with the three courses at Rosapenna, the northwestern corner of Ireland is also home to the likes of Portsalon, North West, Cruit Island and Ballyliffin - home to the Old Course and Glashedy Course. Portsalon is the closest of those to the resort, around 15 miles east of Rosapenna.
What golf facilities does Rosapenna offer?
Along with the three wonderful links courses, Rosapenna also has a nine-hole course. The layout, which formed the original back nine on the Old Tom Morris Links, can be played by members and guests of the resort.
Rosapenna also has a 12-hole par 3 course, along with a 350-yard driving range. The range has an array of turf teeing areas and matted areas under cover. There is also a short game area for golfers to hone their skills prior to taking on one of the many courses at the Rosapenna Resort.
What are the green fees at Rosapenna?
The price of a green fee at the Rosapenna Resort changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. There are also stay & play packages available at the resort.
For more information on current green fees at Rosapenna, visit their website here.
You can read our full piece on the Rosapenna Golf Resort here.
Visit Rosapenna's website here.
Go back to the NCG's Top 100s Homepage.
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