Destination Golf Ireland 2017 * | Page 26

XXXX Carton House ( Montgomerie )
Carton House ( O ’ Meara )
The Carton House Resort is all about five star luxury . A grand hotel is the centrepiece and two golf courses sweep away from the astoundingly alluring 18th century building . The O ’ Meara course has those perfect parkland assets familiar to everyone as it rolls through heavy woodland . And yet the trees stay well back to give the course an unexpected spaciousness . Off the tee the big manicured fairways are hugely inviting targets , making this long course a driver ’ s delight . There are five par fives , too . Bunkers threaten along fairways and this threat increases exponentially on approaches to the immaculately presented greens . The O ’ Meara is often lauded for its superb stretch of three holes down by the River Rye . The two par threes and the par five 15th squeezed in between are exceptional holes , lost amongst the trees . Water is ever-present and it ’ s little wonder they are so memorable . ( The cottage beside the 16th tee was once lived in by Marianne Faithful .)
Carton House ( Montgomerie )
The two courses at Carton House are in sharp contrast to each other . It adds considerably to the experience of playing here ( and staying here ). The Montgomerie , opened in 2002 , was designed as an inland links and it certainly boasts many of the features of a links : tumbling and deceptive fairways , deep bunkers and glorious greens . There are few trees on this landscape and when the rough is up , the course glows many shades of gold . This is one of Ireland ’ s toughest courses – Monty designed it that way – so choosing the right tee and not trying to be heroic is the best place to start . From the white middle tees it measures 6,821 yards , but from the greens it is 6,365 yards . Gentle doglegs abound and with that dramatic bunkering you need to stay above ground to score well , so assess those doglegs carefully . The 2005 and 2006 Irish Opens were held on the Monty , so you know Carton House has every ounce of quality you could ask for .
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Killeen Castle
No other course can boast such a glorious landscape as Killeen Castle . Six hundred lazy acres , drenched in trees , wrapped around a 12th century castle … how could it not be the idyllic setting for a Jack Nicklaus ‘ Signature ’ course . This is the longest course in Ireland ( 7,677 yards ), and home to the Solheim Cup in 2011 , but golfers of all abilities will enjoy this expansive course . There are five tees ( choose wisely ) and fairways always appear wide and inviting , which makes this a delicious driving course . Every hole is strong , but the par five 12th , with its stream cascading across the front of the green , may be Killeen Castle ’ s signature hole .
Mount Juliet
The sylvan setting of the Mount Juliet estate is home to one of Ireland ’ s most popular parklands . The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus , and opened in 1991 . Mount Juliet also boasts a magnificent hotel and the Michelin-starred Lady Helen Restaurant . This is top-tier stuff and the course is just as elegant , sweeping over the landscape , through the trees and throwing in the occasional but dramatic splash of water – the 3rd , 4th 13th and 18th most notably . It is a generous course where golfers of all abilities will find plenty to excite them , be it the short par three 3rd over water , the tree glide enshrined setting around the 13th green or the par five 17th , curving between sentinel-like oaks . But perhaps most exciting of all is the entire package , because the Mount Juliet experience is something truly special .