2nd Looking back down to the bay8th Dont get caught by the burn Elevated tee at the 14th
It’s not until you reach the second green and third tee at Sligo and look back down to the sea that you realise you are in for a treat. Sligo Golf Club, or as its better know Rosses Point, has seen a number of changes since golf was first played here back in 1894. George Coombe designed the original nine holes with an additional nine being added in 1907 by Capt Willie Campbell. None other than Harry S Colt undertook the biggest redesign in 1928.
And when you are standing on the third tee looking out to sea you can just imagine how proud Harry must be of this beautiful links. The third hole is actually called Metal Man, I don’t ask why. I imagine it could be because you’d need to be made out of metal if you’re not to lose your concentration while admiring the stunning view.
But the impressive views don’t stop there and I’m just happy to be playing fun golf and not a medal round as I could see myself getting very easily distracted.
The tee shot from the fifth will just make your heart smile, I must admit I’m a big fan of elevated tees and they’re here in abundance. When you get to the par-3 ninth hole you will see the link with WB Yates, but I’ll leave you to find that out for yourself, no need for me to spoil that for you here.
The back nine like the front doesn’t let up on the views and the stunningly designed holes, which just gather momentum as you play them. I think the green keeper must have some fun with the par-3 sixteenth – the tee is over 83 yards long with a green that is 35 yards deep so it can play anywhere from 213 to 100 yards in length. Throw in a head wind and you have one tough par-3 to go with a finishing stretch of holes that could wreck a card if you lose your concentration.
