Championship Course, The County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point, Eire

www.countysligogolfclub.ie

White tees par 71 SSS 71
Red tees par 74 SSS 74







Looking down the 12th hole

This is a beautiful scenic area of Eire and when a championship golf course is added to the equation it becomes close to paradise.  County Sligo is situated on the west coast of Eire on a promontory called Rosses Point which guards the entrance to Sligo Harbour on its northerly side.  Overlooking Drumcliff Bay on the west and overlooked from the north-east by Ben Ghulbain (Benbulben), the 'table mountain' of Ireland, its situation is stunning.  We played on a calm sunny September day with our son William who joined us from London.  The welcome we had at this club was exceptional and easily the friendliest we have experienced.



The view from the 13th tee

County Sligo started in 1894 as a nine hole course designed by George Combe and was extended by Willie Campbell at the turn of the century to an 18 hole course.  Remodelled by Harry Colt in 1927 to its current layout it is a great test of golf with its undulations, height changes, plateau greens, swales, burns, punishing rough and challenging bunkers. The greens were fast and true but the fairways were a little lusher than normal for a links course because of a rather wet summer.  The third is a lovely downhill par 5 with fantastic views from the tee.  The par three 4th is reminiscent of the Redan at North Berwick with its plateau green sloping from right to left and front to back.  The second nine is particularly good with a string of good holes with superb views of the bay and beaches such as the lovely undulating downhill par 5 12th and the tricky par 3 13th with a green sloping from front to back and water lying in wait for the unwary.  The 17th is a tough par 4 for men and 5 for ladies with a dogleg from right to left to an elevated green.  According to one of the members who we met in the bar after our round the Championship course is three sixes rather than two nines - the first six are easy, the second six change direction, causing trouble with the wind and the third six are a b*****d!




The 17th with its elevated green

Worth a visit?  This course is a joy and with the scenery and warm welcome is not to be missed.