Construction starts next week on a second 18-hole course at Powerscourt Golf Club at Enniskerry Co Wicklow, with an opening date set for 2003. The new course provides international golf course architect David McLay Kidd with his first opportunity to show his talents in Ireland.
Kidd, originally from Gleneagles, is establishing an excellent reputation abroad and his company DMK Golf Design Ltd has received widespread acclaim for its work on the Bandon Dunes course in America, already rated by ‘Golfweek’ as the number one resort built after 1960.
As he contemplates his first Irish assignment Kidd is excited about the challenge which lies ahead for his team, “The canvas on which this course will be created is superbly diverse,” he says, “with majestic trees, natural streams and outstanding views. The intention is to create a classic course built to the most modern standards. I envisage a course of outstanding natural appeal with irresistible golfing challenge and excitement.”
Set in some of Ireland’s most scenic countryside, overlooked by the Sugar Loaf Mountain, this is an inspiring setting for golf yet when the Slazenger family bought the Powerscourt Estate at the start of the 1960’s golf was far from their thoughts. Indeed it was not until the start of the 1990’s that the idea of developing the estate into a five star golf resort captured their imagination.
Powerscourt Golf Club has already hosted the Smurfit PGA Irish Championship and it has become a popular venue with the corporate sector. Indeed the Club increased its corporate business by 20% in the year 2000 and this has encouraged the Slazenger family to introduce phase two of their plans at this point.
Work on the clubhouse will commence in 2002. This will entail enlarging the present clubhouse by 50%, creating spacious and luxurious new facilities for members and visiting golfers. When the £7.5 million development programme is completed in 2004 Powerscourt Golf Club will boast two championship 18-hole golf courses and a magnificent club house. The Club will rank amongst Europe’s finest golfing estates and will be in a position to host major international golf events.
Dr Michael Slazenger, the Club President, remarked, “It has always been our intention to develop Powerscourt into a 36-hole golf resort and the timing is right to activate phase two of our plans. We are delighted to have the full backing of our members.”
Powerscourt Golf Club www.powerscourt.ie
DMK Golf Design www.dmkgolfdesign.com