Walk in the Footsteps of Major Champions
For over a century, the championship links at County Sligo Golf Club have tested the greatest players in the world. As the proud home of the West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship, our fairways have served as the proving ground for future global superstars, while our world-class layout has drawn international legends to our shores. When you tee it up at Rosses Point, you are not just playing a round of golf—you are walking in the footsteps of giants.
Cecil Ewing
A true giant of Irish amateur golf, Cecil Ewing’s name is inextricably linked to County Sligo Golf Club. A Walker Cup player and a dominant force in the mid-20th century, Ewing won the West of Ireland Championship an astonishing ten times. His legacy is woven into the very fabric of the club, setting a standard of links excellence that generations of aspiring golfers have strived to match.
Rory McIlroy
Before he became a global icon and a four-time Major Champion, Rory McIlroy honed his extraordinary talents on the fairways of Rosses Point. McIlroy captured the West of Ireland Championship in back-to-back years (2005 and 2006) as a teenager. The breathtaking ball-striking that would eventually conquer the golfing world was on full display early on right here in Sligo.
Pádraig Harrington
A three-time Major Champion and European Ryder Cup Captain, Pádraig Harrington’s legendary work ethic and links mastery were evident early in his career. He lifted the West of Ireland Championship trophy at County Sligo in 1994. Harrington’s relentless drive and unmatched creativity around the greens make him one of the most celebrated champions to ever navigate our championship links.
Tom Watson
With eight Major Championships—including five Open Championships—Tom Watson is widely regarded as one of the greatest links players in the history of the sport. A true lover of Irish golf, Watson has graced the fairways of County Sligo, bringing his unmatched shot-making abilities and deep respect for traditional seaside golf to our historic peninsula.
Paul McGinley
Renowned for sinking the winning putt at the 2002 Ryder Cup and masterminding Europe’s victory as Captain in 2014, Paul McGinley is a titan of European golf. His tactical brilliance on the course was proven at County Sligo in 1989, where he triumphed in the Irish Amateur Close Championship. McGinley remains a steadfast champion of Irish links golf.
Nick Faldo
In July 2019, Sir Nick Faldo returned to Rosses Point, where he played 18 holes with his partner and son before spending time chatting and taking photographs with locals. It was Faldo’s second visit to the course, having previously visited in 1993. County Sligo Golf Club lists him among the many major names to have played the course, alongside Tom Watson, Byron Nelson and Walter Hagen. Faldo is also recorded as an honorary member of the club.
Byron Nelson
“Lord Byron” was a five-time Major Champion and the owner of the most famous winning streak in golf history (11 consecutive PGA Tour wins in 1945). Known as much for his impeccable character as his flawless, modern golf swing, Nelson’s footprint in Ireland represents the ultimate intersection of international golf royalty and classic Irish links heritage.
Shane Lowry
The 2019 Open Champion and one of Ireland’s most beloved sporting figures, Shane Lowry possesses a short game built for the rigors of links golf. Lowry claimed the West of Ireland Championship at County Sligo in 2008, showcasing the elite touch and fearless shot-making that would eventually earn him the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush.
Play Where Legends Played
Ready to test your game where golfing greats forged their legacies? Secure your tee time at County Sligo Golf Club today. Experience the ultimate championship links challenge and enjoy an unforgettable round on the historic fairways of Rosses Point.
