 Ireland is to be blessed with the opening of a new inland golf resort at Carton House near the town of Maynooth in County Kildare. Just a short drive from Dublin City, Carton House Golf Club will comprise two championship courses, each designed by legends of the contemporary game. Designed by double major winner, Mark O' Meara, the first course at Carton House is set to open for play in early May 2002; while the second course, designed by Colin Montgomerie is expected to open for the 2003 season.
The O' Meara Course at Carton House will represent his first foray into golf design in Europe and the man himself has proclaimed the venue as being absolutely perfect for the development of a world class golf course. O' Meara's creation will boast a championship length of 6,976 yards and will comprise the standard format of four par fives, four par threes and eight par fours. Excellent use has been made of the existing mature woodland and of particular note are holes 13 through 15, which are guarded by the River Rye, with the 14th capturing the beautiful Shell Cottage as a backdrop.
Colin Montgomerie's design at Carton House is expected to be completed by May 2003. Like the O' Meara layout, this course will also boast the standard par 72 format but it is being designed in a more open landscape, which offers an abundance of impressive views of the Rye Water Lake. The course is expected to measure almost 7,300 yards and will have a links feel, with deep, strategically placed pot bunkers, well-contoured fairways and large undulating greens.
Both golf courses are being developed by Sporting Concepts Ireland in conjunction with European Golf Design. Sporting Concepts Ireland specialise in the design and construction of golf courses throughout the country and some of their other major projects include golf courses of the calibre of Rathsallagh and Powerscourt, both in County Wicklow. European Golf Design, a joint venture between the PGA European Tour and IMG, develops venues throughout Europe to host tour events, and is currently designing 26 courses worldwide. IMG is the world's leading organisation in the business of sport and their clients include Colin Montgomerie, Mark O' Meara and current world number one, Tiger Woods.
And what of the Carton Estate itself? Well, as you enter the walled grounds of the one thousand acre estate, you are stepping into an unbroken historical heritage stretching back to the Normans. The exquisitely preserved Carton House and grounds, formerly the ancestral home of the Fitzgerald Clan, Earls of Kildare, is one of the best-kept secrets in Ireland. During the mid-18th century, Lady Emily Leinster used astonishing vision to develop the grounds of the estate, creating open views with undulating hills, a river and lake, all overlooked by an impressive tower built on the adjacent hill.
Under the caring stewardship of the Mallaghan family for the past 25 years, the estate has blossomed. As part of the golf course development, new trees are being planted and new improvements are always being made. And as you take in the estate's breathtaking vistas and history, you are left with the overriding and indeed undeniable sense that Mother Nature has bequeathed her blessing on this unique golf club.
For further information, you may contact Carton House at 353 1 6286271 or by email at info@carton.ie.
|
