Carton House (O’Meara) Golf Club
Maynooth, Co.Kildare, Ireland
Founded: 2002
Designer: Mark O Meara
Championship Length: 7,006 Yards
PAR: 72
Type: Parkland
The first of the two courses to open at Carton House, the O’Meara course designed by two time major winner Mark O’Meara is in perfect contrast to its sister Montgomerie course. Designed very much with a parkland feel the O’Meara meanders and sweeps its way through the more sheltered part of the old estate and takes full advantage of the old specimen trees and the majestic River Rye.
Measuring over 7,000 yards off the championship stakes, one of the most striking features of the course is the quality of its greens. The outward nine, though relatively open, is still a tough test but it is the homeward journey that really makes an impression. Guarded by the River Rye, the stretch of holes from 13 through 15 is particularly notable. The 175-yard, 13th hole requires an accurate iron shot from an elevated tee to a green protected by water; the 14th is a long par five, requiring an approach over the river to a green lying under the watchful eye of a weir to the right; while the 15th is another par three, reminiscent in many ways of the 12th at Augusta, which requires a shot over water to a sloping green.
With its contrasting design to that of the Montgomerie, the O’Meara offers a very distinct challenge. This genteel but challenging journey complements the more vigorous test on the lower ground over the water on The Montgomerie course. Together they are a potent force – very different in nature but both abounding with class which is the overriding feel of the whole estate.
NEARBY COURSES:
Carlow (1 hr, 15 min); Carton House (Montgomerie) (on site); Druids Glen (60 min); European Club (1 hr, 15 min); The Island (40 min); K Club (Palmer) (20 min); Mount Juliet (1 hr, 45 min); Portmarnock Golf Club (40 min); Royal County Down (2 hrs, 15 min); Royal Dublin (45 min)
RECOMMENDED NEARBY ACCOMMODATION:
Carton House Hotel (on site); K Club (20 min); Marriott Druids Glen Hotel (60 min); Merrion Hotel (40 min); Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links (40 min); Westin Hotel Dublin (40 min)
LOCATION:
Situated 15 miles west of Dublin City, just off the N4/M4 route from Dublin City, just between the towns of Dunboyne in Meath and Maynooth in Kildare.
