Portsalon or Rosapenna

andyoz

Looking to move my golf membership closer to the holiday pad in Donegal (home base is in Co. Down).

I'm closer to Rosapenna than Portsalon but wonder if Rosapenna might be a bit too 'intense' a links experience (esp. Sandy Hills) for a 12 h'capper.

What are the pros and con's of each course?

I know Rosapenna costs more but might be worth it for the lower travel time. Also, how long does it take to from the new Mulroy Bridge bridge to Portsalon, the roads look interesting on the map.

The_Architect

Portsalon is fantastic but Rosapenna gives you two very different types of golf course. The reworked Old Tom Morris is arguably as good (and much more forgiving) than the Sandy Hills.

For the golf, go for Rosapenna. For a quieter golf club experience, perhaps Portsalon. Depends on what motivates you.

Swingguru

I was a member of Rosapenna until 2 years ago. Exchange rate increases, price increases and lack of time up there made me give it up. Please be aware that your Rosapenna membership only covers Old Tom and that you pay €15 per round to access Sandy Hills. This year OTM was closed for most of the winter, so golf has been played (for free) on Sandy Hills. Portsalon is much, much better value and a true members club. The course is excellent also, if perhaps not as well conditioned as OTM. The drive over is about 20 mins. For me the convenience of OTM makes it the winner, but if convenience wasn't a factor I would choose Portsalon for warmth, good members, easier to get out on, good standard of course. If you join OTM, you can always head over to Portsalon for their numerous opens that are great value (Dunfanaghy also hosts a good open schedule).There are plenty of Northern blow in's at both courses and hooking up with a group won't be an issue. Let me know what you decide to do. Either way whichever you join you are in true great links country!

andyoz

Thanks Swingguru,

The decision will probably be made based on travel time...5min to Rosapenna versus 25min to Portsalon. We will get up to Donegal ~8 times a year so should get value out of Rosapenna membership. Go down and play 9 holes of an evening when the kids are sorted out....and the occassional Sat comp when the wife allows...

I currently rarely play at my local Co. Down club because of work/family committments so want to move my golfing to the place where I'm chiling out. It is €10 to play Sandy Hills but it is OTM that attracts me for now as I'm just not up to a standard to play Sandy Hills regularly. Holding a GUI there lets me play some open days on great course in my area (Concra Wood, etc)

It is €695 plus €70 joining fee which isn't going to break the bank. In fact, I am currrently holidaying in my hometown of Melbourne and the cost of golf here is scary. You only get a downmarket parkland course for that here. I mean we are talking Rosapena here, a club well known to all UK and Irish (and USA) links players. The membership is still cheap when compared with the equivalent courses around the world. I still like to think that the St Patrick's GC redevelopment will be resurrected one day (10 years?) and that would make Rosapenna the golf mecca of Donegal.

Portsalon looks like such a nice place though. Will try the open comp's once or twice a year. I am amazed how good the golf is in Donegal.

Anyone fancy a game at Rosapenna in April!

andyoz

Can anyone tell me if Rosapenna used charge a joining fee in the good old days?

It may affect my decision whether to join now of postpone until the young fella gets an extra year or two older.

derekandrews

Andyoz, Rosapenna charged a joining fee for a number of years in the past but no longer do.