Return to Portsalon

[Tom_Doak]

I was actually up that way to discuss the possibility of doing work to Rosapenna Sandy Hills to make it more playable and more fun.  It was built as an "exacting test of golf twenty years ahead of its time" but that is not proving popular with visitors to the region.  Interesting that Scott W. rated it highly and Mike put it dead last of the five ... I'm betting Scott is a 4-handicap and Mike is eight or above.

Rosapenna's Old Course was a lot of fun in the wind, and it should be even better next year when they eliminate the holes across the road and incorporate a new nine in the dunes.

I also wandered over to St. Patrick's for a little while to see what was left of it.  What a piece of property that is! -- although it would probably be an all-world 18 but not 36 holes as it was originally planned.  The work they started 18 months ago was blowing around in the wind -- nobody even seeded the disturbed area when the money ran out.  That's how golf development gets a bad name.

[Richard Boult]

now posted in our gca photo tour directory at:

http://delicious.com/golfclubatlas/Ireland

[Rich Goodale]

I was actually up that way to discuss the possibility of doing work to Rosapenna Sandy Hills to make it more playable and more fun.  It was built as an "exacting test of golf twenty years ahead of its time" but that is not proving popular with visitors to the region.  Interesting that Scott W. rated it highly and Mike put it dead last of the five ... I'm betting Scott is a 4-handicap and Mike is eight or above.

I'll bet Mike plays off scratch....

[Michael Whitaker]

Here is a link to a discount "passport" scheme that can save you 25%-50% on greenfees at a good number of UK courses... including Portsalon & Rosapenna!

http://www.openfairways.com/directories/?src=gc&loc=1

[Jack_Marr]

Last time I was in Portsalon it was being changed. Seems a long time ago now. It's a wonderful place. The greenfee there at teh time was 14 punts. I think they got rid of the lovely par 3 over the water. Maybe that's the par 4 now.

PS, Michael, nice to see the U.K. is expanding again. I wish them luck in their conquest of the rest of Europe.

[Mark Pearce]

That whole defeated me comprehensively! The drive makes you greedy and thereafter it is downhill. I also enjoyed the course a great deal. Maybe the best cheap golf around?

At 50 euros it's about the same price as Silloth (£39).  I haven't played Portsalon but it would have to be every bit as good as it looks in these photos to beat Silloth.