Mount Juliet Estate Archives - Golf Digest Middle East

Ireland is Treasure Island series: Day 4 — Mount Juliet Golf Estate

Matt Smith — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 09:39:20 +0000

By Matt Smith
We have Jack Nicklaus — and centuries of Irish history — to thanks for the fourth stop on Golf Digest Middle East’s Ireland tour, as we visited the wonderful Mount Juliet Estate, during Irish Open week, no less!

Mount Juliet Estate

Thomastown, Co Kilkenny
18 holes, par 72, 7,264 yards
Famous Competitions:
• Irish Open (1993-95, 2021-22)

Nestled in the quiet countryside of County Kilkenny lies one of the Golden Bear’s golden tickets.

Set on the grounds of a magnificent Georgian manor and — once again — steeped in history lies Mount Juliet Estate.

It is hard not to get caught up in the romance of this gorgeous place that was built overlooking the River Nore by the first Earl of Carrick in the 1700s. Mount Juliet has carved its name in Irish lore (with a love story that should to be made into a Hollywood movie at some point, but that’s for another time), and still bears the stamp — and scars — of centuries of Irish history.

In more recent times, thanks to Jack Nicklaus’ design, this has become one of the hottest tickets in town — well, island — and tee times are in demand all year round. And well they might be as this course is as much a treat on the eyes as it is to play as it has matured since opening three decades ago.

In the heart of the 180-acre estate lies the 7,200-yard course that makes excellent use of the surrounding beech and oak woodlands and rolling hills. While water is sparingly used, the strategic use of five lakes offer a different challenge on holes such as the picturesque short 3rd, the mischievous 11th, and the famously deceptive closing two holes where Adrian Meronk recently his claimed first DP World Tour title at the Irish Open in some style.

More than 80 bunkers also guard the greens, including the quirky walled 16th, which is almost entirely surrounded by sand.

The overall design embraces the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside and adds up to a tremendous experience — even when playing on a championship set-up as Golf Digest Middle East did the day after the Irish Open at the beginning of July.

To recuperate, both the Manor House and the adjacent Hunter’s Yard — converted from the estate’s stables — draw on centuries of Irish history while immersing guests in contemporary comforts, beautiful surroundings and Michelin-starred dining. Activities such as archery, falconry and riding are all on hand for the non-golfing visitors, while staff are well-versed in the estate’s history and will happily tell you of the many intriguing tales by the fireside.

WHERE TO STAY:

Mount Juliet Estate
Both the Manor House and Hunter’s Yard residences offer five-star luxury, relaxation and heritage in equal measure. mountjuliet.ie

ALSO SEE:

Kilkenny Medieval Mile
The Old Town of Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile takes visitors through 1,500 years of history, with a little fun along the way. Tales of witch burnings and battles litter the narrow walkways and limestone streets. With nine churches, two cathedrals down from the impressive Kilkenny Castle visitors could spend days discovering the secrets of this old town. Thankfully there are more than 70 pubs along the way for a traditional Irish pit-stop to keep you going.

Dylan Vaughan Photography

Malzards
In the small village of Stoneyford, aptly just a stone’s throw from Mount Juliet, lies a hidden gem in the shape of Malzards (above). This hostelry is much more than your traditional Irish pub — although the ‘craic’ is readily available. Fred Malzard is the current proprietor of the premises that have been in his family for five generations and more than 200 years, bringing together the local community. It now also serves as an informative visitors’ centre, where tourists can learn the local history and cultures — including Irish dancing, folk singing and even have a go at the traditional Irish sport of hurling on the pub’s very own pitch.

Matt Smith

Waterford Crystal
Just 40kms south of Mount Juliet lies the ancient port of Waterford, which was a Viking settlement as far back as the early 10th century, and it is home to one of Ireland’s most famous and prestigious exports — Waterford Crystal (above). A visit to House of Waterford offers an insight into the creation of some of the most sought-after crystal in the world. Guided factory tours allow visitors to witness the master craftsmen up close as they mould, blow, mark, cut and polish some of the most exquisite items which have been created here for 235 years, including some of the most famous sporting trophies, replicas of which can be seen in the retail store alongside a variety of glasses and keepsakes — ideal for a souvenir.

A Week In Ireland
DAY 1: The K Club
DAY 2: Lahinch Golf Club
DAY 3: Dromoland Castle
DAY 4: Mount Juliet Estate
DAY 5: Druids Heath

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Dubai’s Adrian Meronk edges into the lead at Irish Open

Matt Smith — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 16:43:36 +0000

By Matt Smith
Dubai resident Adrian Meronk made a late charge at Mount Juliet to take a one-stroke at the Horizon Irish Open on Saturday.

The Pole clawed his way through the field to card a four-under 68 and take top spot on 14-under ahead of England’s Jack Senior, Paraguay No. 1 Fabrizio Zanotti and halfway leader Jorge Campillo of Spain.

American John Catlin and Norway’s Espen Kofstad are tied fifth on 12-under, one ahead of South African Lawrence Thriston, and defending champion Lucas Herbert.

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Browne claims maiden G4D title at Horizon Irish Open

Matt Smith — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 08:39:56 +0000

By Matt Smith
Mike Browne claimed his first G4D Tour victory as he cruised to a four-shot win at the Horizon Irish Open.

The Englishman carded a brilliant 70 to record the only under-par score on day one and he followed that with a 74 to finish level par at Mount Juliet Estate, with Spaniard Juan Postigo Arce his closest challenger.

G4D Tour debutant Bradley Smith finished seven shots off the lead in third place, one stroke clear of fellow Englishman Kipp Popert — who had won the opening two events of the season — and Italian Tommaso Perrino.

Browne had finished seventh and fourth in the season’s two previous events and felt his mental game and his putting were the key to getting over the line in County Kilkenny.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” he said. “I’m on top of the world at the moment, that’s how I feel. I don’t think it’s quite sunk in as to what’s going to happen after this for me but I’m absolutely over the moon.

“I’ve worked on my mental game a lot in the past two or three weeks. The game has always been there but on the greens this week, I don’t think I had one three-putt, and I holed some nice putts as well so that was key.”

After a delay of more than seven hours due to the weather, Browne — ranked seventh in the world for Golfers with Disability — made bogeys on the first, third and sixth but steadied the ship with back-to-back gains on the ninth and 10th before dropping a shot on the 12th.

“I got off to a very shaky start but I sort of had an inkling what was going on,” he said. “I looked at the scoreboard maybe once around the fourth or fifth because I had a few holes to start that weren’t so good but I settled down then, got some birdies back and did the job.

“I was very nervous, this is my first time leading such a big event so the nerves got me to start with and then once we settled down the caddie helped me out, thanks to Dave, he’s done an amazing job.”

World No. 1 and local favourite Brendan Lawlor carded a second consecutive 77 to finish alongside Swedish debutant Rasmus Lia in a share of sixth.

The third event on the G4D (Golf for the Disabled) Tour took place ahead of the Horizon Irish Open, with 10 of the world’s best golfers with a disability taking on the same set-up as the DP World Tour competitors later this week.

The next G4D Tour event will take place from August 8-9 at Galgorm Castle in Northern Ireland.

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Graeme McDowell named Irish Open host for 2020, 2021

Golf Digest Middle East — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 18:53:30 +0000

Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

By Joel Beall
Graeme McDowell’s return to Royal Portrush, a links he used to walk as a youngster, was one of golf’s feel-good stories in 2019. The Ulsterman is going back—and giving back—to his homeland in a different capacity starting next season.

McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open champ, was named on Monday as the host of the European Tour’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for 2020 and 2021.

“I’m really looking forward to taking on that responsibility over the next two years and adding to the history of this great tournament, which has become a global spectacle that Irish golf fans can be proud of,” McDowell said in a statement.

McDowell, 40, is a 10-time Euro Tour winner, and a member of four European Ryder Cup teams. This is not his first time serving as a tournament host, helping shepherd the 2017 Arnold Palmer Invitational following Palmer’s passing in 2016.

McDowell’s responsibilities, however, will be expanded from those at Bay Hill, and his appointment coincides with Northern Ireland’s bid to host the event at Castlerock in 2021. Next year’s tournament will be at Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny, Ireland.

“Our island is famous for its incredible golf courses and passionate golf fans, both north and south of the border, and obviously I would love to bring the event to Northern Ireland in 2021,” McDowell said. “But my focus now is on next year at Mount Juliet Estate and making sure that is another world-class sporting occasion.”

McDowell takes the reins from Paul McGinley, who acted as a one-year host after Rory McIlroy signed off following a four-year run.

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