History
The Old Rosapenna Hotel and first Rosapenna links course designed by Old Tom Morris opened in 1893.
Changes were made in 1906 when James Braid and Harry Vardon played an exhibition match, and made recommendations which added length and more detailed bunkering.
Over a century later new holes known as The Strand nine were layed out by Pat Ruddy, and they replaced the back nine and were incorporated into the course.
And later again Tom Doak’s Renaissance Design reinvigorated the Strand nine which them became the front nine of the Old Tom Morris Links
In 2003 The Sandy Hills Links opened as the second course at Rosapenna. The course had been designed by Pat Ruddy, and while acknowledged as a very good course, the knock was that the course was just too tight.
American architect Beau Welling has in recent years been employed to widen the playing areas, and generally improve the course, and his work has been well received.
The new Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort now comprises the two championship links courses, a 60 bedroom hotel, a leisure centre, 9 hole academy course, 12 hole par 3 course, and extensive practice facilities.
A recent acquisition has been the St Patricks Links GC and with the assistance of Tom Doak- this will likely provide Rosapenna the chance to become a very special golfing destination..
Course
Rosapenna Old Tom Links
The Old Tom Morris Links is routed though lower lying linksland, and not surprisingly displays some of the characteristics of St Andrews Old Course.
The fairways have serious ‘rumple’, to match the quality of the Old Tom greens.
The front nine of the current course is routed in smaller dunes away from the sea, and this is the nine Pat Ruddy/ Renaissance Design have contributed to.
Slightly more modern looking, this nine should be your starter at Rosapenna!
The back nine is routed along the seafront with a number of holes touching the beach.
It does not have the visual impact of The Old Course at St Andrews as there is no gorse, and the magnificent bunkering from the old course is absent
Nevertheless there are similarities and it is a good links course in a pretty setting..
Rosapenna- Old Tom Links.
Notable holes include:
- the long par 4 twelfth hole playing along the beach, with bunkers protecting either side of the fairway and a green with a right to left slope
- the par 3 fourteenth hole hitting from the beach over a sea of rough to green framed by low dunes
- the long par 4 fourteenth hole with it’s left to right camber and strategically positioned bunkers
- the long par 3 seventeenth hole played over tussocks to a lovely punchbowl green
The Old Tom Links is classic links golf!
Golf Tours
The Travelling Golfer can tailor a golf trip to Ireland to suit your group. For itinerary suggestions please see Destinations: Hidden Gems of Ireland's North West
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