remainderheadingbacknorthtothe
sanctuaryofthePavilion’scomfybar.
Theearlyholesonthebacknine,
playingalongtheedgeofthebeachinto
theprevailingseabreeze,aresuperb
anddeliverahintofRoyalDornoch.The
10th and 11th are testing par 4s, the
latter requiring two good shots with
out-of-bounds lurking right and bunkers
waiting to the left of the long green. The
12th and 13th are more strategic holes
where placement from the tee is key to
set up the correct angle for an
approach to difficult greens.
The 14th is a fine par 3 that plays to a
plateau putting surface that rejects a
shot missing short, right or left. If
anything, playing a little long on this
excellent short hole is favourable.
The run for home features two
excellent par 5s in the 16th and 18th
holes. Both could be reachable in two,but only with two well-struck and
precise shots. Given the narrowness of
the home hole (and the fact it can stretch
to over 600 yards), a lay up to a favourite
yardage might be more prudent.Away from the course
Having putted out on the 18th green
below the Pavilion, in front of Old Tom
and any other interested onlookers,
there’s a great Irish atmosphere to be
found both in the clubhouse and back
at the luxurious and comfortable hotel,
complete with its swimming pool, spa
and snooker room. There’s fine dining
in the Vardon restaurant and a lively bar
(the James Braid) where there’s often
live music of an evening. Other
extra-curricular activities include
diving, sailing and horse riding.
Worth a visit while at Rosapenna is
the nearby Harbour Bar in the village of
Downings. It’s a super cosy Irish pub
with a great buzz about it, particularly
when the golf season is in full swing. In
summer, the sunsets here have to be
seen to be believed and a stroll alongIRELAND
The sunsets have to
be seen to be believedThe resort has a
dramatic coastal setting“This superb layout has quickly
earned a reputation as one of the
finest modern links in all of Ireland”