Rossmore Golf Club
We arrived at Rossmore in the middle of two things – the UEFA Cup Final on TV between Manchester United and Chelsea (it was 1-1) and a squad of ladies who were waiting for the football to finish so their prize giving night could start.
We asked a man at the bar if there was a a club official about and we were introduced to Jimmy, the Secretary. We spun him our yarn about parking overnight and he said that would be no problem. The Captain, Nigel Graham, then came to speak to us until duty called for the presentations. He sent us over a couple of pints later on – thanks Mr Captain! There were a couple of ladies who seemed to clean up on the prizes Della (I think that was her name) and another lady hardly had time to sit down before their names were called out again. Someone needs to check their handicaps! The football came back on and we hung around for the penalties – we’re not football followers but I think would have preferred if Chelsea had won for change.
It properly bucketed down on us all night but things were a bit calmer in the morning, though still very grey. But we got away with the best of a bad day as the rain came on again as we were leaving the 18th. Nice timing. Despite the weather the course was looking excellent. It really is a fine course in very good condition. A fair bit of the course is elevated and that gives some fantastic views our over the whole course and the surrounding countryside (the 16th even has some signs pointing out the hills you could (or could not in today’s weather) see in the distance. The downside to that is the climbing that has to be done in order to admire the views. It’s difficult to pick out the best bit of the course and it was all so well kept and interesting. All three par 5s are excellent, particularly the downhill 9th with two ditches to negotiate along the way. The par 4 11th is a dogleg with a pond to catch stray drives and another one at the green, just in case you missed the first one. The par 3 2nd has a pond to psyche you out off the the tee as well. I could go on but I think you get the picture.
Thomas says:
Thoroughly enjoyed playing this course despite the grey weather and the occasional shower. On a sunny day this course would be hard to beat. The views were just superb. Each hole had a feature or something interesting about it to keep you on your toes – no upping and downing boring fields here. Plenty of trees to catch you out in all the right places but forgiving enough to let you off with the occasional stray drive. Can’t really pick out a stand out hole as they were all so good, but at a push I think I’d choose the 11th to play again. The greens looked excellent but I think they played slower than they were looking as I left most of my putts short. Rossmore is definitely worth playing and it’s definitely near to the top of my list of favourites.
Clive says:
I was glad to play Rossmore at last – you see it was a daughter of the Rossmore family, Mary Westenra (Lady Mary Bailey) who was the first woman – yes an Irishwoman! – both to fly across the Irish Sea and then to fly all the way from London to Capetown in 1927.
Well enough for the history lesson and back to the course. It was a beautiful course from the first hole, a long par 5 with a green up high. The second was over the pond and so it went on. There were lots of lovely features and curves to this track and the corner with the 11th and 12th was delightful – pity I got into that water at the 11th not once but twice – but found the ball both times. I had a few pars on the way out but the inward 9 were not so good. The 17th and 18th are not difficult but are nice finishing holes. A good player could nearly drive the 18th.
Above all Rossmore is what I call a real golf course with a little cosy clubhouse with chatty friendly people who are really pleased to see visitors – especially ones with a story to tell like us. The pro suggested that we play again during open week but I had to politely decline – I’ve still another 250 courses to play. Top marks to Rossmore – at least 8 out of ten.
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