After purchasing the 350-acre property in 1976, Dermot Walsh engaged Eddie Hackett to design a course. The 1982 design was not completed until 1996! After laying the last bit of turf Hackett would die a few months later, making the Maheramagorgan his last course. Walsh originally planned to build one course and a 300-unit caravan site just about where the 4th hole is now. He changed his mind when it became clear that EU regulations on Special Areas of Conservation etc would come into force in 1997. It was imperative to get the second course built. The unlikely Joanne O’Haire designed the Tra Mor course just in the nick of time. Because these were two existing courses, the land would be grandfathered for possible future golf redevelopment.
Eddie Hackett
Martin Hawtree had been called in maybe five years after the Tra Mor course was finished to offer some improvement ideas and many were implemented to Hackett’s design. Later, Relton Development Group obtained the property and in 2006 engaged Jack Nicklaus to do a complete redesign of the 36 holes as part of a 5* resort. Not long later the project collapsed due to a lack of finance. Nicklaus had already torn up some holes which eventually became blowout sandy areas; a few of which T Doak incorporated into his design.
After biding their time, the Casey’s, long-time owners of the next door Rosapenna Resort, purchased St Patrick’s in 2012 and commissioned T Doak to build a course. The design was largely finished in 2013, but the proper finance plan didn’t emerge until six years later at which point the design was finalized and work began. St Patrick’s opened in 2021 and was soon heralded as one of the best courses in Ireland. It is hoped a world class design will raise the profile of the resort by complimenting the P Ruddy designed Sandy Hills Links and much altered Old Tom Morris course not to mention the many other quality Donegal courses.
I first heard of St Patrick’s circa 2004 on a GolfClubAtlas thread. At that time the courses were barely playable, but there were some stirrings.
Little did I know that Tom Doak would invite me to his Renaissance Cup to be held at St Pat's in September 2022. There is currently little in the way of clubhouse facilities for St Patrick’s. In fact, despite nearly touching 14 & 15 at OTM’s Valley 9 and Sandy Link’s 6th & 7th, it doesn’t much feel like one is on the Rosapenna property because of the separate entrance south of the main pavilion. There are some plans to build a small house, but during my visit a large marquee served the purpose with distinction.
Clyde Johnson's brilliant mock Player's Cigarettes postcard course plan. Clyde ought to know the property, he was one of the shapers for the project.
The two nines were originally going to be reversed. I believe Don Placek suggested the idea of switching the nines to create more drama for the opening holes. I reckon it was a good decision for the first is certainly a feast for the eyes. The power of suggestion to cut the corner must be resisted. Stay right and everything opens up.
The opener also signals that the greens will be stimulating. While reshaped, I believe the greensite was on the Tra Mor course.
The three opening holes are played through individual corridors so a sense of wonder as one turns each corner is heightened. I think the entire 2nd hole previously existed on the Tra Mor course.
Just as on the 1st, the second offers a surprise. This time we must wait until nearly at the green to see the death trap on the left. This angle is a bit deceptive because its taken from near the 7th tee. The contours of the green are on full display.
Another look at the 2nd green from near the 7th tee.
More to follow.
Ciao