Sandy Hill Links is the middle child at Rosapenna having opened for play in 2003. Laid out between the Old Tom Morris Links (1891) and St. Patrick’s (2021) it distinguishes itself by having both up and down elevation changes on the same hole, infinity greens which seem to perch on the horizon and a layout where each hole seems secluded giving the feeling you are alone on the course.
It was a very special day given the sun shone, the wind was minimal, one layer of clothing was sufficient and we remembered the sunscreen (now that’s something you don’t expect to hear on a golf trip to Ireland in May).
Most of the holes run north south along the dune ridges. Half a dozen run across the top the dunes creating serious elevation changes.
Then there are the humps and bumps in front of the greens that throw back shots that come up short.
Designed as a course to host championships, Sandy Hills is relatively narrow with the ever present marram grass cloaking the dunes just steps off the fairways. It’s described as exacting and tough but rewarding. We agree.
Sandy Hills is right up there on our list of courses but our criteria is changing daily given we’re now eight rounds in. Our ranking list is in shambles. Although the dunes give each course a similar backdrop, yet again we felt there were enough differences to set it apart from the others.
Tomorrow, given a small travel schedule change, we’re packing up and heading out of Derry. Following golf at Port Stewart on the north coast we’ll start the journey south west for the next segment of our adventure.
The Bennetts On Tour 