It is less than a year since Killeen Castle in Co. Meath opened but in that short time the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course just outside the village of Dunsany and 2kms from Dunshaughlin has become one the most talked about and 'must play' golf courses in the country. The golf course is set in natural woodlands and parklands of almost 350 acres, more than twice the average size of a Championship course. In keeping with the Nicklaus philosophy of working with the natural landscape rather than against it, the course features stunning stonework which was quarried from the site and hand-tooled by expert craftsmen. Water features prominently in nine of the 18 holes.

All of the greens and tees have been seeded and drained to USGA performance specification and the greens feature a unique blend of grasses, inspired by Augusta - the same blend used in Jack's own course in Muirfield, Ohio in the US. As you would expect with a Nicklaus designed course the 7,600 yard course provides the sternest of Championship challenges while remaining accessible to the average golfer. In a testimony to the quality of the course Killeen Castle has already been selected to host The 2011 Solheim Cup between Europe and the United States.
Killeen Castle Golf Club formed their Club in April 2009 and is now fully affiliated with the GUI and ILGU. Membership stands at 300 at present. A packed schedule of events is organised for the members and these include not only golf events, but a full schedule of social events including family fun days, Easter egg hunts, BBQ's, opera, wine tasting and gourmet evenings. The success of the membership program in 2009; has been ably assisted by the Captain of the Men's Club and former Kildalkey hurler, Val Ledwith. Val is an avid golfer and tribute to his skills on the golf course to many years playing hurling with Kildalkey. Val indeed trained the team for a period, but could not have been happier this year when they won the Senior Hurling Championship, ending an almost 60 year wait. Val now lives in Batterstown making the commute to Killeen Castle, just a 5 minute drive. Due to the success of the membership program in 2009, Killeen Castle is releasing 50 memberships for 2010.
The Solheim Cup is named in honor of Karsten Solheim, and his family, the makers of PING golf equipment. The Solheim Cup is the most prestigious international team event in women's professional golf. It is a biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition featuring the best U.S.-born players from the LPGA and the best European-born players from the LET. The U.S. Team leads the competition, 8-3, and has never lost on home soil. It will be contested at Killeen Castle on September 23rd to 25th and will then moved to Colorado Golf Club in Parker, Colo. in 2013. For more information, log on to www.SolheimCup.com.
Complimenting this exceptional golf course is the impressive 30,000 sq feet clubhouse with state-of-the-art locker rooms, restaurant and casual dining in the bar areas. Beside the clubhouse stands the magnificently restored Killeen Castle. While visible from almost all the holes throughout the course the Castle provides a stunning backdrop to the 18th hole.
Killeen Castle is proud to be home to the first Dave Pelz Scoring Game School outside the US. This superb facility opened in June 2008 and complements perfectly the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and long game facility. World class tuition now stands alongside world class golf. From daunting long bunker shots to those tricky three foot putts, you will learn to master shots from any scoring position. The Scoring Game School applies a practical, scientific approach to golf instruction, honed through years of research. Now at Killeen Castle you too can take advantage of the research and knowledge that has helped some of the world's top golfers such as Phil Mickelson, Tom Kite and Paul Azinger.
Apart from the natural beauty of the estate and the superb golf course and facilities, what is particularly striking about Killeen Castle is the level of service and the warmth of the welcome you will receive. Be prepared to stop and have a chat with Sean at the front gate or John, Pat and Mark in Golf Services and Niamh at the halfway house beside the 9th Green.
Barry O'Connor, General Manager said, "We would like to thank the local community in Dunsany and surrounding areas for their help and support over the past few years during construction. We would also like to give our best wishes to Dunsany GAA and in particular the Junior Footballers in 2010. Hopefully they will attain glory in the 2010 Championship having come so close in 2009". He said of Killeen Castle "Now that Killeen Castle is open for business, we hope to see you all here soon, be it on the golf course or in the restaurant we try and make the Killeen Castle experience special with service that compliments our superb facilities, the unique atmosphere and natural beauty of the estate. From the moment you arrive at the front gate till you leave five or six hours later we are committed to providing a level of service that is second to none".
Killeen Castle golf course is now open for play and the Clubhouse Restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner by reservation only. Contact the Clubhouse 01-689 3000 for bookings or www.killeencastle.com for more information. Tweet

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