DG IRELAND TOP150 2023.
Editor, Kevin Markham
No other course can boast such a glorious landscape as Killeen Castle Golf Resort & Lodges.
Six hundred lazy acres drenched in trees, wrapped around a 12th century castle… how could it not be the idyllic setting for a Jack Nicklaus ‘Signature’ course This is the longest course in Ireland (7,677 yards), and home to the Solheim Cup in 2011, but golfers of all abilities will enjoy this
expansive course.
There are five tees (choose wisely) and fairways always appear wide and inviting, which makes this a delicious driving course.
The bigger challenges come around elaborately shaped and bunkered greens – very much another of Jack’s signatures.
Every hole is strong, but the par five 12th, with its stream cascading across the front of the green, may be Killeen Castle’s signature hole.
The lake squeezed between the 2nd and 17th, however, presents the biggest danger, while not one of the par threes can be described as easy. For many golfers, it is the rise to the 18th green, at the foot of the castle, which will be remembered most.
2022 saw considerable bunker renovations and a brand new fleet of 36
EXGO premium golf buggies.
Favourite Hole
The par five 7th doglegs sharply around a wood. Big
hitters can go over the trees and then hope to reach
in two, but the lake running all the way to the green
makes this a three-shotter for mortals.
What’s in the Bag?
A big day with the driver and very good bunker play.