Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort

Downings,

Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

  • Office

    +353 (0)74 915 5301
  • Pro shop

    +353 (0)74 915 5000
  • Fax

    +353 (0)74 915 5899
  • Golf pro

    Frank Casey Jnr (Director of Golf).

About the course

  • 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.

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
7183
5838
4868
Par
72
72
72
SSS or slope

At the same location:

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).

Location

Latitude:

55.175400

Longitude:

-7.815980

How to get there:

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)

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.

Est. 2003

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.

List of courses: Ireland - North

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance. Proof of handicap may be requested.

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes in high season (mid-April thru' late-Oct): St Patrick's Links €200. Old Tom Morris and Sandy Hills (April thru' Oct): €150.

Contact club for full details, online rates, discounts, Stay&Play packages, 3-course combination tickets, etc. [Last updated: 2023].

Other information

Non-metal spike facility. Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire. Caddies available (if pre-booked).

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

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.

Published ranking

Sandy Hills Links:
Ireland's 19th best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 79th best course (Golf World, 2022).

Where2Stay

  • Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort4-star

    Sheephaven Bay, Downings, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal F92 PN73.

    +353 (0)74 915 5301

    Visit website

    Located 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.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Rosapenna (Old Tom Morris, Sandy Hills and St Patrick's Links).

    • Golf within 10 km:

      No

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Portsalon

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