There are only 247 “true” links courses in the world of golf. 50 of them are located on The Island of Ireland, and at Rosslare Golf Club you’ll find the only bonafide links course in the southeast of Ireland. Rosslare is also home to an intriguing 12-hole layout named the Burrow Links, but the Old Course is, without doubt, the jewel in Rosslare’s crown.
From the championship tees, the course measures a healthy 6,702 yards and plays to a par of 72. The course opened for play in 1905 and has hosted prestigious tournaments since the 30s, and with relatively recent renovations including an extensive reseeding project that commenced in 2006, as well as a total overhaul of its bunkers which now feature ecobunker faces in place of traditional revetting, the course is well known for being in top-class condition throughout the year.
Fred Hawtree and J.H. Taylor were the architects of Rosslare’s original 18-hole layout and the course has remained largely unchanged ever since, with the renovation of 6 holes in more recent years the only noticeable changes since the course’s arrival on the Irish golfing scene. This is a testament to the quality of the original layout and the everlasting charm of classic links courses.
Rosslare offers a very fair test laid out in a true traditional links-style, with the first seven holes out and the rest, many of which run alongside Rosslare Beach running back towards the clubhouse. Despite its relatively modest length (by modern standards), the coastal conditions ensure that Rosslare Golf Links provides a stellar test of golf to even the best of golfers. Three additional tee locations allow visiting golfers to play the course from the appropriate length, ensuring all golfers can find their comfort zone and enjoy the charms of Rosslare.
Course Information
| Par |
72 |
| Designed by |
Fred Hawtree, J.H. Taylor |
| Opened for play |
1905 |
Tees
| Blue |
6,702 yards |
SSS 72.9 |
| White |
6,535 yards |
SSS 72.1 |
| Green |
6,234 yards |
SSS 70.7 |
| Red |
5,658 yards |
SSS 74.3 |
The Burrow Links is a unique 12-hole golf course that was specially designed by the legendary Christy O' Connor Jnr and opened in 1992. The course lies on the same peninsula as the Old Course and measures a respectful 3,888 yards with eight par 4s, three par 3s and one par 5. Large undulating greens will test your approach play and putting skills with some great run off areas. A quirky feature of The Burrow Links is that there are no bunkers on the course but sitting on the edge of the Rosslare peninsula it does provide the visiting golfer with the most beautiful views out over Wexford Harbour.
After your opening round at Rosslare, you'll be itching for another go at the course, such is its quality and charm, but those embarking on a golf tour of southeast Ireland will also be pleased to hear that there are other courses in the area that are well worth adding to the itinerary. St Helens Bay is just 15 minutes further south and combines parkland golf with a closing stretch of charming seaside holes, while Enniscorthy GC is a 40-minute drive inland, and promises a thrilling yet tranquil test of parkland golf.
