TEE TIME
IRELAND TO THE FORE For a tiny island on the edge of Europe, Ireland knows a thing or two about golf. Everyone from champions Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and Tigers Woods to actors Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd and Bill Murray all love playing golf on the island of Ireland, and it’s not hard to see why. With world-class courses in spectacular locations, Ireland’s golfing credentials are sky-high.
Ireland is home to over 400 golf clubs, including a third of the world’s natural links courses, and a selection of exceptional championship courses in spectacular locations. Little wonder, therefore, that every year over 240,000 golfers from all over the world come to the island of Ireland’s greens to experience the impressive but unforgiving fairways. The island of Ireland has been named International Golf Destination of the Year on more than one occasion by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. It continues to cement its reputation as an iconic golfing destination by hosting prestigious events, including the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2020. Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny was selected to host the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, the second Rolex Series event of the 2020 Race to Dubai. The Jack Nicklaus
Signature Course has a prestigious history in hosting major golf events and producing world-class champions. The course at Mount Juliet is set in lush, rolling parkland, part of a 1,500-acre old Irish country estate with an 18th-century mansion as the clubhouse. Magnificent mature trees line the fairways, with the River Nore cutting through the course, providing a natural water hazard. The course is described as parkland golf at its best; tranquil, beautiful, and at times generously open, but with elegantly framed holes.
Royal Portrush
North of the border is one of the island of Ireland’s premier courses. From Ballycastle to Portrush, Antrim’s famous coastline is truly spectacular and provides the setting for Royal Portrush Golf Club.
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