Return to Donegal

[Sel0975]

Just registered on the forum, been enjoying reading the posts. I'm an ex member of Newtownstewart GC in Co.Tyrone now living in Glasgow. Six of us from Scotland are going over to Donegal on the 1st of May to play Rosapenna (old course and sandy hills) and Portsalon. It's been about 20yrs since ive played both courses and I know from leading reviews etc that both courses have changed quite a bit over the years. We might even fit in a few holes at Dunfanaghy. Ready looking forward to playing golf again in what is one of the best stretches of golfing country in GB/Ireland

 

[andrew_mac]

Just registered on the forum, been enjoying reading the posts. I'm an ex member of Newtownstewart GC in Co.Tyrone now living in Glasgow. Six of us from Scotland are going over to Donegal on the 1st of May to play Rosapenna (old course and sandy hills) and Portsalon. It's been about 20yrs since ive played both courses and I know from leading reviews etc that both courses have changed quite a bit over the years. We might even fit in a few holes at Dunfanaghy. Ready looking forward to playing golf again in what is one of the best stretches of golfing country in GB/Ireland

I'm also an ex pat of Tyrone now living in Glasgow. Where you play in Glasgow?

 

[Sel0975]

I've not got a club at the minute, played a couple of yrs on a temporary limited membership at East Renfrewshire but wasn't playing enough golf to justify the annual fee and joining fee. I usually play a few rounds with friends around different parts of Scotland. Hoping to start playing a bit more so looking around at the moment. I'm over in the Southside of Glasgow, hopefully I'll get a club sorted by the end of the yr. How long have u been in Glasgow?

 

[bladeplayer]

Welcome to the forum .. few other Tyrone heads on here aswell , and a few living in Donegal .. My club Athy is twinned with Dunfanaghy but ive never played it .. The irish forum meet has been in Ballyliffin the last few years , lovely place , if you get time ,

 

[Sel0975]

Welcome to the forum .. few other Tyrone heads on here aswell , and a few living in Donegal .. My club Athy is twinned with Dunfanaghy but ive never played it .. The irish forum meet has been in Ballyliffin the last few years , lovely place , if you get time ,

Cheers, I've played the old course at Ballyliffin again many moons ago but def on the radar to play again. I'll keep an eye out for forum meet up's.

 

[bladeplayer]

Cheers, I've played the old course at Ballyliffin again many moons ago but def on the radar to play again. I'll keep an eye out for forum meet up's.

Good stuff i loved the old course & im not a links fan.............. surprised you not heading to Lough Erne
Heading up to Concra Wood & Slieve Russell this year new course for me so looking forward to that

 

[chris661]

I have come the other way from clydebank to donegal!

Dunfanaghy is a nice enough wee course. The two courses at Rossapenna are good but if you are. Of that accurate off the tee take plenty of ammo same with Portsalon its quite tight and the rough will be starting to come up now. Don't book anything with Portsalon until you phone them they are some of the best folk going, I was a member there for a few years until I moved.

 

[Sel0975]

Despite being from Tyrone and now in Glasgow most of my golf is links, I enjoy parkland but links is my fav. Would love to play Lough Erne sometime but all the guys coming over have never been to Donegal so opted for a few days of links. Can't beat the value either, not sure what it costs to play Lough Erne but suspect it wont be as good value as portsalon etc. It's always good to play new courses so enjoy ur trip to Slieve Russell

 

[chris661]

Rossapenne will be fairly expensive. From memory they tend not to do too many deals and even opens are usually 50% more expensive than anywhere else. That said IMO it is worth it as the two courses are pretty good.

 

[Sel0975]

Cheers Chris, I've already been in touch with both clubs and agree with ur opinion on Rosapenna. We are playing both courses for 85euro and Portsalon for 40. Tried to contact Dunfanaghy by email, facebook etc but didn't get a reply but might try to play 9holes there on the Sun morning depending how we are all feeling. I have also played there a few times, nice course a bit more open than some of it's neighbours.

 

[chris661]

Cheers Chris, I've already been in touch with both clubs and agree with ur opinion on Rosapenna. We are playing both courses for 85euro and Portsalon for 40. Tried to contact Dunfanaghy by email, facebook etc but didn't get a reply but might try to play 9holes there on the Sun morning depending how we are all feeling. I have also played there a few times, nice course a bit more open than some of it's neighbours.

Sunday is probably the worst day to play as all the clubs have their members comps that day. That said if you give them a ring they probably will accommodate you.

 

[palindromicbob]

Despite being from Tyrone and now in Glasgow most of my golf is links, I enjoy parkland but links is my fav. Would love to play Lough Erne sometime but all the guys coming over have never been to Donegal so opted for a few days of links. Can't beat the value either, not sure what it costs to play Lough Erne but suspect it wont be as good value as portsalon etc. It's always good to play new courses so enjoy ur trip to Slieve Russell

lough erne could be got for 50 a head with buggies using a 4ball vouchure at 200. great value. but not sure if they still do it. im playing there in society on 25th gor £30 so can syill be got for a bargain.

 

[Sel0975]

Next time I'm back home in Omagh I'll try and squeeze the club's in and look into getting a round at Lough Erne. Seems to have mixed reviews although I suppose u get that for most courses.

 

[chris661]

Next time I'm back home in Omagh I'll try and squeeze the club's in and look into getting a round at Lough Erne. Seems to have mixed reviews although I suppose u get that for most courses.

I would happily play there every week. The middle third is IMO a little weak compared to the rest but it is a fantastic golf course (and I don't particularly like parkland golf).

 

[Sel0975]

Got back from our trip last night. Overall a great trip. Played Rosapenna on Fri, thankfully the weather was good. Everyone loved the old tom morris links, mixed views on Sandy hills though. Certainly a very tough test of golf with little room for error if u miss the fairways, almost impossible to find ur ball if u stray to far offline. A few blind tee-shots as well. The greens weren't the best but it is early in the season. A bit disappointed with the facilities, no food (even a sandwich) in the bar which meant we had even less time between rounds as we had to go in search of somewhere to get a very quick lunch. We finished our 2nd round at 6 pm and the bar had then closed.

Sat we played Portsalon, tougher weather conditions but the course was fantastic, everyone loved it. Had a nice meal and few drinks in the clubhouse afterwards, certainly as better feel to it than Rosapenna.

We also had a couple of good night's out in Dunfanaghy and Creeslough, as per usual we got a very friendly welcome from the locals. We all look forward to another visit in the not to distant future.

 

[Ethan]

Sounds like a great time. Donegal has some great courses.

Ex-Dungannon, now Berkshire.