Sligo Golf Club Ireland

County Sligo Golf Course

18 Holes Par 71,6043 metres

Founded: 1894 Course Architect: Harry Colt

Location:- 5 Miles Northwest of Sligo Town in Rosses Point.

County Sligo Golf Club is situated at Rosses Point, a seaside village eight kilometres north west of Sligo town, and is one of the oldest and best known links courses in Ireland.

The links are set out on one of the most scenic locations - bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the west; Benbulben dominates the view on the northern skyline. To the east Glencar valley and the Dartary mountains with Lugnagall and Truskmore, while the southern vista is completed by Knocknarea topped by a large Cairn of stones.

County Sligo Golf Club has hosted most of Ireland's major championships over the years. It is home to the West of Ireland Championship which is held each Easter. The club has hosted the Irish Close Championship as well as the Interprovincial and and the Home International Championships which were staged there in 1991 when Ireland won the Raymond Trophy.

There's something about Rosses Point that tugs at the heartstrings. Its appeal lies with the people as much as the golf course, a links in the traditional out and back mode that is among the country's best.

When Bernard Langer arrived here for his first ever round on a links course, he planned to stay for a day, but he apparently ended up staying for a fortnight. Legendary players such as Walter Hagen, Bobby Locke and Henry Cotton have all visited this golf course in their time to play beside the Atlantic Ocean under the imposing shadow of Ben Bulben.

From the start Rosses Point demands the best out of a player. The 1st and 2nd holes are both played uphill. The 3rd is a wonderful downhill par 5 entitled "The Metal man" because the hole is in the same direction as a local landmark perched out in the estuary. It is a hole that attempts to give something back after a tough opening two holes, however it does not give too much. From the 5th onwards, play is in the lower part of the course, where a further nine holes have been developed in wetlands known as Bowmore. Throughout this part of the course, no two holes are the same, although an accompanying ditch becomes a familiar hazard on a number of them. The 9th is the second par 3, called Cast a Cold Eye, in honour of the poet W.B Yeats, who is buried in Drumcliffe cemetery across the bay.

The four holes on this particular part of the course are particularly scenic, but they do require good course management. Yet once you tee-up on the 13th and hit from the elevated tee to the green below, the battle is on in earnest with only the 16th hole possibly allowing any breathing space.

The run back up along the beech is demanding, but it seems easy when faced with the prospect of driving off the 17th, a par 4 of 455 yards that demands a long and accurate drive. Then the approach shot is played to a raised and titled green that is perched midway up a ridge that physically divides the course into two distinct sections. This is without doubt the best Links Course in the area, and is well worth a visit.

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