February 11th, 2008
PGA National
If you are not willing to settle for second best then PGA National Ireland at Palmerstown House in Co Kildare, Ireland, is the golf course for you.
PGA National Ireland is located on the breath taking 800 acre Palmerstown House estate. The 7419 yard course gives its players a unique feeling of quality and tradition.
It’s easy to see why the PGA decided to choose Palmerstown House as the official PGA National Ireland headquarters. The course’s magnificent setting, finish and facilities make it simply one of the best in Ireland and indeed Europe.
The course is now unique as there is only to be one PGA National in Ireland and the course will now join the PGA family that consists of the PGA National at the Belfry and the PGA Centenary at Gleneagles. The CEO of the PGA Sandy Jones said: “The criteria for choosing a suitable golf venue as our partner was rigorous.”
PGA National Ireland is located just 20 minutes drive from Dublin in the County Kildare town of Johnstown. The course was designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr who has overseen more than 30 courses.
The head professional at the PGA National is Ed Pettit and he describes the course as “the best of the best”.
Christy O’Connor Jnr agrees: “The average club golfer will enjoy this course immensely – it can be very challenging but also very enjoyable. It has been designed to be very flexible,” said Ed.
Nature has been exploited to the full on the course and every hole provides a new challenge that never lets your concentration wander. It is nearly impossible to pick a signature hole because every hole is magnificent. Below is a flavour of what you can expect.
The 4th hole:
This par four is as picturesque from the ground as it is from the air. The classical design philosophy used seamlessly incorporates a funnel of mature tress with a manicured fairway and an island green that is surrounded by a beautiful water feature. Overall this is an awe-inspiring experience for the golfer.
Golfers will marvel at the grandeur of the panoramic view as they stand on this elevated green.
The 9th hole:
Golfers will marvel at the grandeur of the panoramic view as they stand on this elevated green. This is a true feast for the eyes as they will be able to soak up the whole Palmerstown experience and gaze at the vast estate and also the beauty of the surrounding countryside. A breath taking finish to a front nine.
The 10th hole:
Set to become one of the most photographed golf holes in Ireland this par three has a large green that is dwarfed by the surrounding bunkers. Indeed this hole is a perfect example of the dedication and attention to detail given to the course during its construction as the green and bunkering took more than one year to complete and perfect.
PGA National Ireland offers a complimentary group management service. The service includes golf itinerary preparation, golf course starter and ranger, check-in desk, bag drop facility, professional advice on the format of your day as well as on course competitions (nearest the pin, longest drive).
You can also avail of the trademarked Signature Group Management Service which offers a comprehensive range of services including car park assistance, scorecard preparation, personalization of hired buggies and tournament scoreboard system to name but a few. The course has the biggest fleet of golf buggies in Ireland.
The clubhouse was completed in 2005 though its design retains the 19th century feel of Palmerstown House. The bar has a relaxing atmosphere - and there is a beautiful ballroom. The locker rooms are the ultimate in luxury with steam rooms and the fine dining restaurant is world class.
PGA National Ireland is part of the Citywest Group – owned by entrepreneur Jim Mansfield. Weston Executive Airport is part of the Group and is located a short distance away from the course.
Executive aircraft can use the airport and clients can then travel to the course by an executive chauffeur service or by helicopter. Weston Executive Airport was bought by Jim Mansfield five years ago and has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility.
Membership to the Executive Golf club is free. Simply click here and become a member of Executive Golf