Rosapenna

County Donegal, Ireland

DESIGNER: Ruddy, 2003
YARDAGE: 7,177
PAR: 71

GREEN FEES: Until October 31, €85 (€75 if booked online); November 1-February 28, €30. Check website for offers.
CONTACT: 00 353 7491 55000, www.rosapenna.ie
CLUB COMMENT: We’ve been cutting back the rough on the edge of the fairways.

Golf was first played here in 1891 and the Old Tom Morris is still a very enjoyable, traditional links – but it is the Pat Ruddy-designed Sandy Hills which is the blockbuster at Rosapenna. Like most Ruddy designs it is not easy. Indeed, it is almost cruelly difficult at times. But you never, ever get angry at this truly wonderful course, which only opened in 2003.