Druids Glen Hotel and Golf Resort in Ireland is set unveil its restored Druids Glen course and new clubhouse to visitors on June 1, following an estimated €10 million investment.
The famed County Wicklow course, which was originally designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock, has undergone extensive upgrades over the past 16 months to cement its nickname the ‘Augusta of Europe’.
Now a 7,222-yard par-72 course built to USGA standards, the restoration project involved stripping just over 90,000m2 of topsoil and replacing it. Additionally, the greens required 7,000 tonnes of rootzone, 2,000 tonnes of gravel and 5,000m of drainage. The resort also invested €1.3 million in a modern irrigation system, and upgraded pathways covering a total of 26,000m2.
The project was led by course designer Peter McEvoy along with John Clarkin of Turfgrass and other notable designers and contractors.
Speaking about the renovation project, Marcus Doyle, Director of Golf at Druids Glen, said: “We wanted to take advantage of the technological advances that have emerged in the agronomical world in the past few decades. Our approach was really led by studying the impacts that nature has had, which has helped us to develop effective strategies for positively shaping the new course.”
The Druids Glen course, which first opened in 1995, hosted four Irish Opens between 1996-1999 and the 2022 Seve Trophy.
Aidan Ryan, the resort’s general manager, commented: “We knew that this was going to be something special from the outset, with the aims of protecting the history and original magic of the golf course alongside upgrading the course and facilities to modern standards. The entire team have worked tirelessly over the past three years on this unique project and we are proud to bring the restored Druids Glen Golf course back to our members, resort guests and visitors.
The anticipated benefits of the project include economic benefits to the local community, job creation, increased tourism and improved recreational opportunities.
Seamus Neville, owner of Neville Hotels, which owns Druids Glen, added: “We have made a significant financial commitment to the renovation of Druids Glen golf course and clubhouse with the aim of bringing it to the very top of the list of world-class golf courses. This included rebuilding the greens, which is expected to result in perfect surfaces and modernised tweaks. We believe that the renovations have elevated the resort to a new level, and we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll have on our guests and the local community.”
