County Sligo Golf Club

County Silgo, or Rosses Point is an old course, opening in 1896 designed by George Combe with 9 holes, later Willie Campbell added another nine, and final revisions by Colt, MacKenzie, and Allison, and is in a truly scenic location on Silgo Bay. If you're playing in the North around Portrush, or the Southwest near Lahinch it's a long it's a long trip, three hours from Dublin as an example, and the course is stellar, but not of top character. The links are laid out on the Atlantic Ocean on the west; Benbulben dominates to the north, to the east Glencar valley and the Dartary mountains, the south is Knocknarea. The course is a strategic links course with wind as the major factor, raised greens, tumbling fairways, cliffs, burns, bunkers and dunes, and some great elevated holes and tees to enhance the view. The fairways are wide and forgiving, and the greens, fast and true. There's not much in the way of rough, or gorse or heather. The course plays to 6,280 yards, par 71 from the regular markers, the holes are attractive and diverse. It was not in the best of conditions, and I've heard others comment the same, but if you're inclined to drive through beautiful countryside to playing in a fantastic setting, this course is for you. Be sure to have lunch or a drink in the clubhouse for some of the best clubhouse views in golf. There's a couple of decent places to stay, Cooperhill 30 minutes south in Riverstown, or just 5 miles further, the Cromleach Lodge and Country House.