Ernie Els is to bring world class status to the €200 million Kinsale Harbour Resort by designing the signature 18-hole championship course at this new development near Kinsale, County Cork in Ireland.
The course, which takes its name from an historical local landmark, will be known as Hangman’s Point. It is designed over 260 acres at a spectacular location overlooking the Celtic Sea and incorporating breathtaking views of the Kinsale coastline.
Hangman’s Point will be a designated PGA course managed by PGA Golf Management.
The decision to invite Ernie Els to become its signature designer reinforces the size and the significant investment being ploughed into the resort, as well as its importance in hosting major international events in the future.
The combined technical and marketing benefits to Kinsale Harbour Resort of Ernie Els Design and the PGA are considerable. Commenting on his appointment, Ernie said: “This is truly a fantastic opportunity to combine a passion for the game in Ireland together with my team’s design talents. It also marks a debut for my team at Ernie Els Design in Ireland and this exciting new international golf resort means that I shall be able to spend more time in this spectacular part of the world.
“In designing the links course we plan to follow the existing and natural contours of the site, which was previously Kinsale racecourse and reputed to be one of the oldest golf courses in Ireland. I am really looking forward to working with everyone involved in order to transform our joint vision into a golfing reality,” he added.
The PGA branding is also extended beyond the course, as there will be a PGA Golf Academy. This will be a National Centre of Excellence for golf in the country and will provide the facilities and services for the training of PGA professionals and elite players, in addition to the development of the game for the local and regional community.
The golf course, golf academy and clubhouse (except the food & beverages) will be managed and promoted by PGA Golf Management. PGAGM will be responsible for the set up, operation, promotion and maximisation of opportunities created by the PGA brand. They will deliver a quality golf experience synonymous with the expertise associated with Ernie Els and the tradition associated with the PGA.
Announcing the latest developments in the Kinsale Harbour Resort project, John O‘Donoghue, TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism said: “The combination of Ernie Els and PGA contributing to this fantastic course is a great boon for the tourism industry in Ireland, and will complement our existing international golf offering.
“I look forward also to the creation of a whole new breed of professional Irish golf players passing through the Golf Academy, along with the many amateur players, both local and international, who will thrive under the PGA’s tutelage.”
Sandy Jones, chief executive for The Professional Golfers‘ Association said, “We are delighted to be involved in this magnificent new golf development. Awarding the PGA’s name to the proposed course at Kinsale also marks a major step forward in the expansion and development of the PGA brand into Ireland. It enables us to add our traditional heritage and expertise to fulfil the vision of being at the forefront of the game in Ireland, in a modern and dynamic way.”
“Partners such as Ernie Els, the PGA and PGAGM represent the best in the golf arena,” said Carlos D‘Avilez, project director, XCES Projects. “We are proud to be working with these names since the concept behind Kinsale Harbour Resort was to present a premium project, the like of which was unseen in Ireland before.
“In presenting such a concept, our intent was that every aspect of this project was designed to strategically fit with the offering in the area, complementing rather than overshadowing it.
“Kinsale Harbour Resort is an integrated tourism facility for all uses, and we hope to attract golfers and visitors from around the world and from the local community.
PGA Golf Management www.pgagm.com
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