Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Links - Sandy Hills Links

The past two times I've visited Sandy Hills Links I played in unforgiving conditions on an unforgiving links. Even without the rain and wind, I still would have shot a million on such a narrow, intimidating course designed by Pat Ruddy. Changes over the past five years have really improved the course for all handicaps. Bunkers have been removed, and greens have been reshaped. The thick grasses lining the fairways have been trimmed back. The white tees of the 354-yard 14th hole were pushed up to 267 yards the day I played it, creating an opportunity to reach the green with one swing. All those little things add up to a more playable, enjoyable round on one of Ireland's most feared links. Sandy Hills will always deliver its share of scary moments, like the severe drop-off to the right of the 17th green and the blind tee shots at no. 5 and 6. The setting on Sheephaven Bay makes the long drive to find Rosapenna worthwhile, even to those who still get beat up by such a beautiful brute.

Two days earlier we played Royal Portrush and that was a great course with no two holes being even rermotely the same or going in the same diection. We arrived at Rosapenna two hours late for our tee time due to not being familiar with the Irish raods. I thought we had missed our chance to play one of the courses I was looking forward to playing the most. But the gentleman in the pro shop gave us a key and sent us out, telling us to leave the cart behind the pro shop because he had to close up soon. The man turned out to be Frank Casey Jr. who is the owner of the resort. I'm so glad he let usplay because this course is a roller coater ride from start to finish. Wide fairways, thick, thick rough, elevation changes, blind shots. This course has it all. From the tee the fairways look intimidatingly narrow but once you get into the fairway you see that it's actually very geneerous. But keep it in the fairway because the marrin grass will not allow you to find your ball. This course is NOT a pushover but is an exillirating ride from start to finish. If made to make a choice between Royal Portrush and the Sandy Hills course at Rosapenna, I'll take the latter.