Donegal North East Links courses

Ichiro

Ladies and Gents,

I'm bringing up a subject I've posted about last year,
A large group of friends are heading up to Rosapenna to play the Sandy and old tom in an open comp.
The comp takes place on Sat and Sun, but I'm looking to play a links course on the Friday before it (get some experience on a Links track)
Last year we played Murvagh and loved it!
But is is a bit out of the way in regards to travel, so we were a bit shattered upon arrival at Downings.

Can anyone recommend a good links track near Rosapenna? An hour away is fine.
I was looking at this place, but I'm not reading good reviews
st patricks golf links

Sand Wedge

Ballyliffin Golf Club has 2 great championship links golf courses. Might be a bit out of the way though!

fullstop

Ichiro wrote: »

Ladies and Gents,

I'm bringing up a subject I've posted about last year,
A large group of friends are heading up to Rosapenna to play the Sandy and old tom in an open comp.
The comp takes place on Sat and Sun, but I'm looking to play a links course on the Friday before it (get some experience on a Links track)
Last year we played Murvagh and loved it!
But is is a bit out of the way in regards to travel, so we were a bit shattered upon arrival at Downings.

Can anyone recommend a good links track near Rosapenna? An hour away is fine.
I was looking at this place, but I'm not reading good reviews
st patricks golf links

Where will you be travelling from to get to Downings? St. Patricks is right beside Rosapenna but it's closed down as far as I know. Played it once a couple of years ago. Nicklaus had been over and was supposed to re-design the place. They had markers out in the fairways laid out by the design company and evertything but the course was in awful condition. The Nicklaus thing fell through with the recession and I think the course closed down.
You can see it from one of the tees on Sandy Hills.

Ichiro

Im going from Dublin to Downings, Ballylifin is out of the way.

fullstop

Closest would be Dunfanaghy, about half an hour away. There's not much else really. Portsalon is not far away but takes quite a while to get there. Dunfanaghy is not too tough and would be a decent course to get in a bit of practice.

Swingguru

I'm a member of Rosapenna. I would highly recommend Portsalon. I played it last week in an open and it's in great condition. The welcome there is very friendly, the holes present a real links challenge to all abilities (you will love the 2nd!), and the rates are very good. If you call Cahill in the office (0749159459) he should get you all out for about 30 euro. From Rosapenna the drive is about 25 mins over the new bridge (signposting not great, but you'll get there). Enjoy your weekend. Make sure you head up to the harbour bar in downings for a few pints...great bar!

downthemiddle

St. Patrick's Links is no more which is a great pity as it is a magnificent site for a course. Jack Nicklaus had designed 36 holes there but unfortunately the two chancers funding the project have gone bust.
Dunfanaghy is a lovely little course. It has a great collection of par threes. It is short but plays longer because of the sea breezes.
Portsalon is a high quality course. It held the Irish ladies close a few years ago. It was redesigned by Pat Ruddy. Both courses have spectacular views.

Swingguru

This is the land that St. Patricks would have been laid out on. 36 holes at Rosapenna and 36 at St. Patricks would have made this the best piece links golf in the world.

mcgarrett

have to agree with swingguru 100%. Stayed in Downings bay hotel mid april and played Sandy Hills and Old Tom Links, then nipped over the Harry Blaney Bridge and played Portsalon..........That night headed up the hill to the Harbour Bar, great few days.

Tipp-Boy

Has to be Portsalon, with the new bridge open it's after cutting back on driving time. Dunfanghway is OK but not in the same league. Enjoy the trip, I'm up there in August for a week!

Kevinmarkham

Tipp-Boy wrote: »

Has to be Portsalon, with the new bridge open it's after cutting back on driving time. Dunfanghway is OK but not in the same league. Enjoy the trip, I'm up there in August for a week!

Agreed: Portsalon is the quality course - and best 2nd hole in Ireland

Ichiro

All,

Many thanks for the Advice given.
We are going to Portsalon Golf Club on the Friday,
Rang Cahill and he looked after us, so many thanks Swingguru.

Will let you know how we got on.