| Course Description: |
Designed by Darren Clarke one of Ireland's foremost golfers the Course will be open in August 2006.On site facilities include a Hotel with a magnificent bar & terrace overlooking the 1st and 18 th holes.
Also on-site is a Wellness Centre for Members, Hotel Residents and Guests.
In what is steadily becoming Ireland’s most exciting region for links golf, the North West is now also entitled to call itself home to one of the country’s finest parkland golf estates. Castle Dargan is a 200-acre manor on the outskirts of Sligo with a rich and romantic heritage. The estate’s old house and castle stand testament to the wonderful sense of history that still lives in what is to become an extraordinary retreat for the discerning traveller.
Today, Castle Dargan House has been lovingly restored into four exceptional private suites with a special privacy and peace many yearn for. The hotel hosts just 29 beautifully appointed rooms, allowing the team to lavish attention on their guests and assures them of a personal service throughout their stay.
The estate also has a number of serviced self-catering apartments and private golf lodges and the Icon Spa at Castle Dargan is a haven for those guests seeking complete self-indulgence. As for golf, the course Castle Dargan is sure to establish itself as a firm favourite of golfers who appreciate an understated yet charismatic test of golf. The Darren Clarke designed parkland course on the estate reflects his love for the game and the clubs desire to confirm Castle Dargan as one of the finest parkland golf venues in Ireland. Built to US Golf Association specifications, the 7,100-yard par-72 layout has a distinctly Irish feel to it as it blends seamlessly with its natural environment.
Darren has embraced the magnificent rolling terrain, the old stone walls, and the shores of Lough Dargan and moulded something quite wonderful. In contrast to the harsh environs of many links courses and the brisk sea wind, the tranquil setting at Castle Dargan is a rare privilege for golfers in the North West. “What I have tried to achieve at Castle Dargan, is to create a golf course which utilises the dramatic site, reflects my love for the game of golf and will attract golfers to the North West for a parkland golf experience that is every bit as good as the famous links courses in the locality. I’m confident we’ve achieved all of that and more” Darren Clarke There is nothing brash or pretentious about the design. Darren’s love of shot making and his vast playing experience on the world’s great courses is clearly evident in many memorable holes.
The 5th is a demanding right-to-left dogleg Par 4 measuring just over 460 yards with marshland hugging the left side of the fairway. The 6th is another testing Par 4 with the approach to the green playing 80 yards across the large lake which acts as a focal point in the centre of the course. The finishing holes from the 14 to 18 throw up challenge after challenge but with the right strategy each offers an opportunity to score if the golfer is brave enough to attack it.
Darren has used creeping bent grass on the greens. Slick and wonderfully consistent, their surface will be the envy of many of the world’s finest, while their subtle movement will prove the test for many a putt. “Castle Dargan reflects everything I love about the game. It’s a club I am proud to be part of” Darren Clarke Off the course and for those interested in practice, the unique golfing academy at Castle Dargan is made of four Par 3 holes, each a recreation of a famous par 3. For inspiration, Darren didn’t have to look too far beyond the numerous Open Championships he has played in over the years and now golfers will have the opportunity to play the 13th at Carnoustie, the 8th at Royal Troon, the 13th at Muirfield and the 15th at Turnburry, all one after another.
Once the golfer has negotiated the beautifully manicured course, inside the club, the golf team and the facilities insure the thrill doesn’t end. Comfortable and spacious locker rooms adjoin the Icon Spa where golfers can shake off the rigours of the course with the "Back Swing", a treatment concentrating on the back and legs. The golf shop displays the finest golfing apparel from leading designers as well as an opportunity to purchase one of Darren Clarke’s favoured cigars. The estate bar commands dramatic views over the 1st and 18th holes and all of this is serviced by a wonderfully attentive and warm team, dedicated to ensuring every guest makes the most of their stay. Open in August 2007, the course is available to residents and visitors to the estate on a restricted basis until the official opening in March 2007.
Green fees range from €50 to €75 and advanced booking is strongly recommended.
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| Card of the Course (yards) |
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| Hole No |
Blue |
White |
Green |
Par |
Index |
Red |
Par |
Index |
| 1 |
406 |
379 |
370 |
4 |
7 |
337 |
4 |
3 |
| 2 |
507 |
452 |
444 |
5 |
9 |
423 |
5 |
9 |
| 3 |
121 |
117 |
117 |
3 |
17 |
113 |
3 |
17 |
| 4 |
383 |
373 |
363 |
4 |
5 |
326 |
4 |
1 |
| 5 |
419 |
414 |
406 |
4 |
1 |
314 |
4 |
5 |
| 6 |
493 |
474 |
465 |
4 |
15 |
421 |
5 |
15 |
| 7 |
176 |
173 |
168 |
3 |
13 |
143 |
3 |
13 |
| 8 |
454 |
409 |
400 |
4 |
3 |
392 |
5 |
7 |
| 9 |
538 |
517 |
511 |
5 |
11 |
492 |
5 |
11 |
| Out |
3,497 |
3,308 |
3,244 |
37 |
|
2,960 |
38 |
|
| 10 |
478 |
429 |
422 |
5 |
14 |
393 |
5 |
18 |
| 11 |
147 |
132 |
132 |
3 |
10 |
121 |
3 |
8 |
| 12 |
390 |
367 |
360 |
4 |
18 |
326 |
4 |
6 |
| 13 |
192 |
188 |
182 |
3 |
16 |
130 |
3 |
10 |
| 14 |
471 |
436 |
430 |
4 |
4 |
404 |
5 |
16 |
| 15 |
262 |
259 |
256 |
4 |
12 |
217 |
4 |
12 |
| 16 |
422 |
417 |
408 |
4 |
8 |
285 |
4 |
14 |
| 17 |
439 |
431 |
395 |
4 |
6 |
360 |
4 |
4 |
| 18 |
455 |
435 |
412 |
4 |
2 |
344 |
4 |
2 |
| In |
3,257 |
3,095 |
2,997 |
35 |
|
2,580 |
36 |
|
| Total |
6,754 |
6,403 |
6,240 |
72 |
|
5,540 |
74 |
|
| SSS |
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