About County Sligo Golf Club

County Sligo Golf Club, more widely known as Rosses Point, is located just 8km from Sligo town on a striking Atlantic headland. This famed Irish golf course sits between the iconic Benbulben mountain and Knocknarea, crowned by Queen Maeve’s legendary cairn. The course enjoys a magnificent location with breathtaking views of the mountains, sea and rolling countryside and is a setting for golf that one will never forget. The view from the third tee is a superb panorama of the area immortalised in the poetry of W.B. Yeats. One can see five counties from here on a clear day.

1894

Our Foundation

Founded in 1894, the club has grown from modest beginnings into one of the most celebrated golfing destinations in Ireland. Golf was first played in the area by members of the Sligo Militia, before officer and local business man Colonel James Campbell established the club and secured the original grounds known as the “Greenlands” from the Middleton family. The inaugural meeting took place in Sligo Courthouse on 18th October 1894, with Col. Campbell in the chair. He formed a committee with Arthur Jackson, another prominent Sligo business man, and his nephew Harper Campbell Perry as the first secretary to run the club. Col. Campbell served as Captain until 1903 with Arthur Jackson then taking over.

1896

Original Course by George Combe

The course was initially laid out as nine holes by George Combe, an influential figure in early golf who is also credited with developing the first handicapping system for the game. The Combe Cup is still played for in the August Open Week.

1902

Old Pilots Watch House

The Old Pilots Watch House (a lookout point) which was built in 1902. The building originally had a sheltered overhang on the west side and a flagpole for signalling alongside.

At the height of shipping in Sligo Rosses Point had some 20 pilots. Before modern communications, the pilots had to keep a continuos look out for arriving ships.They did this in turns, each taking a period on duty know as the watch.

1894

Expansion & Clubhouse

By 1907, the course had expanded to eighteen holes, evolving alongside the growing popularity of golf in Ireland. A distinctive, Tudor-style clubhouse followed in 1912, designed by George O’Connor and built by James Kiernan. The building has been extended and modified over the years and is preserved today under the direction of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

1927

Iconic Golf Course Design by Harry Colt

In 1927, the club took a defining step by commissioning the renowned golf course architect Harry Shapland Colt to redesign the layout. Colt, widely regarded as one of the greatest designers in golf history, transformed the course into a world-class championship links. Drawing inspiration from iconic courses such as St Andrews and Royal Troon, he introduced a flowing, anti-clockwise routing that maximised the natural contours of the land. The result is a course that remains largely unchanged to this day. Features such as elevated tees, meandering burns, subtle undulations and the constantly changing sea breeze have provided a most enjoyable challenge over the decades.

2013

Our Modernised Golf Course

The course has continued to evolve while remaining faithful to Colt’s original vision. In 2013, respected Irish architect Pat Ruddy was invited to “revitalise a classic.” His work focused on subtle enhancements rather than dramatic changes, ensuring that the integrity of the design was preserved. By refining greens, improving playing surfaces and introducing new championship pin positions, Ruddy succeeded in modernising the course for today’s game while respecting its heritage.

Admired by Golfing Legends

Over the decades, the course has attracted some of the greatest names in the game. Legendary players such as Tom Watson, Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer have all praised its design and natural beauty. More recently, champions including Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington and Shane Lowry have competed and enjoyed success here, further cementing its reputation on the global stage.

The Home of Competitive Golf in Ireland

County Sligo Golf Club has long been a cornerstone of competitive golf in Ireland. Since 1923, it has hosted the prestigious West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship, one of the country’s most important amateur events. The club has also welcomed numerous national and international competitions, including the Irish Amateur Open, the Irish Close Championship, the R&A Home Internationals and the Irish PGA Championship.

Club Success

County Sligo Golf Club has enjoyed notable success in Irish inter-club championships, becoming the first club in Connacht to win the Irish Senior Cup and repeating this achievement on several occasions, alongside victories in the Barton Shield and other national titles across senior and underage levels. The club has also produced outstanding players, most famously Cecil Ewing, a Rosses Point native who won the West of Ireland Championship ten times and represented both Ireland and Great Britain & Ireland, reaching the final of the British Amateur Championship in 1938. Another distinguished member, Amy Ormsby, won the Irish Ladies Close Championship in 1909 before going on to claim multiple South African titles. In more recent years, the club has continued to produce talented golfers who have achieved success at national level and represented Ireland internationally.

A Superb Golf Experience for all Levels

What sets County Sligo Golf Club apart is not just its championship pedigree, but its ability to offer an unforgettable experience to golfers of all abilities. As famously described by commentator Peter Alliss, it is a course that provides “a tremendous test for the highest quality player and great fun for the modest competitor.” This balance is a defining feature of Rosses Point and a key reason for its enduring appeal.

The County Sligo Golf Club Team

David O Donovan

General Manager

Chris Breen

Course Manager

Colin Starrett

Club Professional

Karen Dunne

Sales & Admin Manager

Kim Kennedy

Reservations

County Sligo Golf Club Today

Today, County Sligo Golf Club is ranked as one of the best links courses in Ireland. Combining over a century of history, world-class design and breathtaking scenery, it offers a golfing experience that is both timeless and unique. The ever-changing light and weather conditions ensure that no two rounds are ever the same, creating a dynamic and memorable experience.