County Sligo Golf Club, Rosses Point, County Sligo, Ireland

County Sligo Golf Club, designed by Harry S. Colt in 1927, is a course that should automatically be mentioned in the same breath as the other great, old, and historic Irish golf courses. More commonly referred to as Rosses Point, set right in the heart of Yeats Country, it combines spectacular, challenging golf with playability for the average golfer, and if not for its location in the northwest, away from the other famous links, it would be universally regarded as one of Ireland’s top 3. The first two holes climb a towering hill, leading to two incredible downhill tee shots on the 3rd and 5th. The rest of the course plays down along the shore, with beautiful, flat-topped Ben Bulben towering over the course, providing one of the most scenic backdrops to be found in Irish golf. The course culminates with what we think is the most difficult par-4 in Ireland, the 17th. It is an uphill, dogleg-left, 450 yarder, with the prevailing wind right to left, and a hill just off the left of the fairway that is guaranteed to ensure no shot whatsoever if you venture even a yard too far left (as we did!). The course calls to mind Royal Dornoch in Scotland with its impeccable grooming around the elevated greens, many turtle-back in design, fringes shaved close, repelling even the slightest mishit or offline approach back down the slopes. The clubhouse, a quaint tudor design with two large putting clocks, is one of a handful of real classics in Ireland. County Sligo, like Ballybunion and Royal County Down, should be a “given” to include on any schedule. A very special place indeed!