This year the Lodge at Doonbeg Golf Club in West Clare celebrates the tenth anniversary of the opening of the championship golf course which has been built around the beautiful Doughmore Bay.
The golf course officially opened for play on 9 July 2002 when course designer Greg Norman defeated Ireland’s Padraig Harrington in a special exhibition match to mark the occasion. Four years later all of the 5 star lodgings, restaurants, clubhouse, spa and other amenities came into operation.
To mark the occasion of the course opening the club has created the Doonbeg Festival of Golf which will take place Monday 16 to Friday 20 July. The Festival, which is open to all, features different events every day:
- Monday, 16 July: Monday Blues Tournament. Men’s 18 hole open singles stableford off the blue markers. Ladies open singles.
- Tuesday 17 July: 18 hole open mixed scotch foursomes.
- Wednesday, 18 July: 18 hole open four person team scramble (any combination).
- Thursday, 19 July: 18 hole open fourball – any combination (ladies and gents).
- Friday, 20 July: 18 hole open fourball- any combination.
Prizes will include Doonbeg accommodation and golf equipment. Every day Doonbeg’s resident professionals will be on the practice ground to offer advice. Full details on the website at www.doonbeglodge.com
Speaking of the Festival, Doonbeg General Manager, Joe Russell, said that, given the impact Doonbeg has had on golf not only in Ireland but worldwide, they felt it was fitting to mark this important anniversary.
He noted that in its short history Doonbeg had already been voted one of the world’s Top 100 courses in a leading golf publication. He said that both the course and the 5 star resort continue to receive accolades both at home and abroad noting that among the awards was one for European Golf Resort of the Year. “I think it is particularly significant how the course has become accepted an important part of the Irish golf scene so quickly.”
Course designer Greg Norman said from the outset that Doonbeg was a course he wished to be remembered for. Following one of his recent visits to Doonbeg, Norman said he was delighted with how the course had progressed and how it had retained all of its links characteristics. “I set out to create a golf course that would be a true test of links golf and while I must let others deliver the ultimate verdict, I believe we have accomplished that goal, and created an old style Irish links course reminiscent of the classic golf courses of Ireland. The course at Doonbeg continues to improve with time which is a testament to the fine work of Jim McKenna and his team.”
Doonbeg Golf Club www.doonbeglodge.com