County Sligo Golf Club *****

Rosses Point, County Sligo

Nearest main town: Sligo

 

The rich seams of golf that exist in south-west Ireland gradually disappear as you pass through Galway and up through County Roscommon. Eventually you reach the town of Sligo, from where it is a short drive to Rosses Point, a golf course that is undoubtedly the best in this part of the Republic. Dominated by the majestic mountain of Ben Bulben, from which the small villages, beaches and crofters' cottages take their character, Rosses Point is a treat to play.

It is a traditional links course, the standard perils of bunkers, heavy rough and wind dictating the course and pace of play. But its character is not built on that alone. The subtleties of the slightly undulating fairways and positions and angles of the green make it a real 'feel' course, harmonizing your game with the rhythm of the land.

The poetry of William Butler Yeats used to speak fondly of this part of the world (he is buried in nearby Drumcliff), and visitors do fall under its charm, many leaving with the impression of Rosses Point as the finest links in Ireland. Certainly, it is incredibly fair, far removed from the traditional image of a links with its harsh bounces and cruel kicks.

One of the course's most memorable holes is the 5th, with its aston­ishing view of Ben Bulben. A par-5 named 'The Jump', you drive from an elevated tee to a fairway that hugs the cliff line, from where, if you're lucky, you could be faced with a long iron or, more realistically, a lay­up in front of the tiny green. The feeling of the hole shrinking, and getting more difficult as you walk each yard from the tee, is technically very strong. That could also be said of the 17th, a par-4 played down into a gully before climbing spectacularly to a hidden green protected on all sides. The incline and green all slope back towards you and one can imagine professional players spinning the ball back down the slope.

You may prefer the gung-ho thrillers of Waterville or Tralee with their enormous dunes, but you can't fail to be impressed with Rosses Point.

 

Secretary: Mr J. Ironside (Manager)               

Tel: 071 91 7 7134 Fax: 071 9177460

Professional: Mr L. Robinson               

Tel: 071 917 7171

Playing: Midweek: round €65 (Mon-Thurs); day n/a. Weekend: round €80 (Fri-Sun); day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 10.30am-11 pm. Food: Lunch and dinner from 10am-9pm. Bar snacks.

Comments: Great stretch of golf in the middle of the round... Ben Bulben lends this links a mystical feel. ..So natural, so magical...Played it every year on holiday for the last 20 years... Good putting green and clubhouse... Very natural, the wind is its defence... Hilly and exhausting, where are the carts? ... Basic facilities. . . Views of the Atlantic and the Bay of Drumcliff ... Exceptional.

 

Athlone Golf Club ***

Hodson Bay, Athlone, County Roscommon

Nearest main town: Athlone

 

Secretary: Mr L. Fagan

Tel: 090 649 2073 Fax: 090649 4080

Professional: Mr M. Quinn

Playing: Midweek: round €30; day n/a. Weekend: round €35; day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 10.30am-11 pm. Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner from 9am-9pm. Bar snacks.

Comments: Warmth and hospitality through and through. . . Overlooking Lough Ree ... Fun course with short par-5s ... Straightforward course where you can feel good about your game... Bunkers provide major headache.