Back in the car heading north east to Rosapenna, we took for granted Google maps would ensure safe, swift passage to our destination. It started well but total reliance on the blue line meant a 10 mile segment on a country lane that at the best of times was 1.5 cars wide. Blind corners, one lane bridges, sheep in the road and more dips and bends than can be imagined we emerged unscathed, white knuckled and sweating. Not the normal lead in to a round of golf.
Rosapenna is a huge complex comprised of three courses plus another few hundred acres of pristine dunes land. It’s massive. We played the newest of the courses, St. Patrick’s Links.
On land that originally encompassed 36 holes, Tom Doak designed an 18 hole challenge that is only three years old but feels older. While it might appear similar to other courses we’ve played thus far it had enough different elements to warrant very high grades.
The available land gave Doak the ability to introduce variety not found elsewhere. The routing goes between, over and around the huge dunes. There are steep hills both up and down and holes that run along Sheephaven Bay. And some greens have humps and swales normally not found on putting surfaces.
It was warm (only a three layer day) and dry for the most part (a bit spitty near the end) but quite breezy. We’re not good at estimating wind speed but every shot including many putts was impacted to some extent.
All courses have bunkers. St. Patrick’s Links has BUNKERS!!
Our return journey, needless to say, took a different route home. A bit longer miles wise but at least the road had a painted center line until we reached the motorway.
Back to Rosapenna tomorrow to play the Sandy Hills links. We can only imagine.
The Bennetts On Tour 