St Patrick's Links, situated within the renowned Rosapenna Golf Resort in County Donegal, is a gem that has quickly garnered acclaim since its opening.

The layout of St. Patrick's Links is a testament to Doak's design philosophy, which advocates that great courses should feel as though they were always there, with minimal disturbance to the natural environment. The course seamlessly integrates with the rugged coastal landscape, utilising the natural dunes and contours to offer uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean, creating challenging and visually stunning holes.

Each hole is distinctive, offering a variety of shot-making opportunities and strategic decisions. The fairways are generous yet undulating, demanding precise approach shots to the well-protected greens. The course showcases generously sized fairways that ripple through the coastline, flanked by natural fescue grasses and sandy soil, contributing to the maturing playing conditions. The bunkering is strategic and aesthetic, adding to the challenge without being overly punitive.

St. Patrick's had me in awe throughout, especially when I stepped onto the 14th tee, a dogleg right par 4, playing at 365 yards. Upon an elevated tee, a sea of gold fescue provides beautiful definition as it flows out to a stunning backdrop of the coast, with just a bunker on the elbow of the fairway. The second shot requires precision, with the left side of the green almost cutting into the jagged coastline edge and the right bearing trouble within the fescue of a dune. It’s a green site to behold.

Playing St. Patrick's Links is a wonderland journey through one of Ireland's most stunning landscapes, with a course that challenges and delights in equal measure. You'll appreciate the thought and craftsmanship that went into creating this masterpiece, which will no doubt become a classic over the years as it matures further into the world's top 100 rankings, and I, for one, cannot wait to return.