Course Description: |
Designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in July 1991, with an exhibition match between Jack and our own Christy "Himself". This 18-hole course has already been voted the best inland and maintained golf course in Ireland. Set close to the River Nore, water comes into play on six holes; the beauty of woodlands and trees is ever present, while some eighty ever-vigilant bunkers, strategically placed throughout the course, place a premium on accuracy from tee to green.Mount Juliet boasts the first 18-hole putting course of it’s kind in Europe.
It is a par 53, course and a must to visit when playing this fine course.Mount Juliet is more than a golf course, as it has the clay Target & Archery Academy on site. The River Nore and The Kings River are famous for salmon and trout fishing. The Iris Kellett Equestrian Centre for trekking, show jumping and cross-country jumping and an outdoor tennis court can all be found on site. Mount Juliet House is synonymous with quality and style for over 250 years, with sweeping views of the 1,500 acre estate.
The American Express selected Jack Nicklaus’s signature course for the 2002 & 2004 Championships, which brought the top golfers in the world to Thomastown. Voted the No. 11-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Golf Digest Ireland” in 2008. Mount Juliet was voted No. 1 Parkland/Inland Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2008, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland. |
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Club History |
Founded 1991. This part of Ireland has very strong Norman associations, particularly with the great Butler family, who have played a large part in the history of Mount Juliet. The estate as we know it today was originally two separate estates, Walton Grove and Ballylinch, each with their own separate history. Walton Grove was the home of the Walton's who were an ancient Norman family who owned Oldtown, the town land of Mount Juliet. They changed the name Oldtown to Walton's Grove. They were here for centuries, until William Walton was, dispossessed by Cromwell in 1653. Walton's Grove was owned by an unknown Cromwellian for a short period, but after the Restoration it became the property of James, Duke of York, later James II. James sold it to a Mr. Sweet, who in turn sold it to Mr. Kendall in 1719. He changed the name to Kendall's Grove.On stormy winter's nights "Old Mr. Kendall" as he was known was robbed by highwaymen and an important portfolio was taken. He begged the Rev. Thomas Bushe to retrieve it for him. Rev. Bushe duly caught the robbers and returned the portfolio. Old Mr. Kendall was overcome with gratitude that he left all his property, including Kendall's Grove to the Rev. Bushe. Unfortunately, the Reverent was wildly extravagant and had to sell all his property to settle his debts. He sold Kendall's Grove to his neighbour, the Earl of Carrick, in 1757, who built Mount Juliet, on the lands.
Ballylinch being the other part of the estate is now a thriving stud farm and an integral part of the day-to-day life on the estate. Originally called Bally Inch which is a translation of the Gaelic "Baile Inse", meaning the peninsulated townland.
The town lands and castles of Legan and Ballylinch belonged to Jerpoint Abbey until the Suppression of the Monasteries by Henry VIII in 1541. They were then granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond (The Black Earl). He in turn granted them to Oliver Grace, a descendant of the Norman adventure Raymond Fitzwilliam le Gros.
Oliver's son Gerald built Ballylinch Castle and moved here from Legan Castle in 1563. However, the Graces were dispossessed by Cromwell who granted Ballylinch to one of his followers, Colonel Daniel Redman in 1654. His daughter Eleanor married James Butler, 3rd Viscount Ikerrin and the Butler's of Ikerrin moved their residence to Ballylinch from Lismalin in Co. Tipperary.
After the Rev. Bushe sold Walton's Grove in 1757, the two estates were amalgamated and the Earl of Carrick built his mansion on the opposite bank of the River Nore and called it Mount Juliet as a compliment to his wife, Lady Juliana, always known as Juliet. The family remained in Mount Juliet until 1914 when the McCalmont's bought the lands.
The last member of the McCalmont family to resided, at Mount Juliet prior to its transformation into the magnificent Jack Nicklaus designed championship golf course, was, Major Vivian McCalmont, known locally as "The Major". However Thomastown had another "Major" as the story goes back in the 40th and 50th only two people in Thomastown ordered The Irish Times one was for the Manor House and the other was for an man I had the pleasure to meet several times. His name was Joe Wemyss, a very clever and amusing man, even to this day when one mentions "The Major" they will tell you yarns about Joe. The story goes that Joe was known to catch the "odd" salmon from Major McCalmont's section of the River Nore without possessing a "rod licence" a matter, which often had the Major McCalmont bring his activities to the attention of the local Garda. Every so often the local paperboy out of sheer devilment would deliver "The Majors" Irish Times to Mount Julies and it would not be long before stories would filter down to the local pubs about the reactions to the misplaced Irish Times.
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Members Achievements |
Mount Juliet were runners-up in the Leinster Final of the Irish Mixed Foursomes in 1996, when the team was Padraic Slattery, John Comerford, John Curran, Padraic O'Rourke, Des Fitzgerald, Oisin Fanning, Jeff Howes, May Quinn, Ita Slattery, Isobel Freaney, Brenda Fitzgerald, Jon Hegarty, Eileen McLoughlin, Kate McCann and Adrienne Walsh.Lady Captain, J Duggan (14), Captain Des Fitzgerald (11) and Honorary Secretary Pat Hegarty (22), had five points to spair in the Regional Qualifier of the Mercedes-Benz-Irish Independent Executive Golf Trophy at their home course in July 2002. They went on to play the National Finals at The K Club on August 12th.
Lady Captain, Jon Hegarty, Captain Kevin McLoughlin and Pat Hegarty came 7th in the National Final of the Mercedes Benz-Irish Independent Executive Trophy at the K Club on the 13th of August 2001. They returned 72pts. which was only three shots off the winners.
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Major Prize Winners |
Name |
Year |
Prize |
Maurice Fenton |
2002 |
Captain's Prize |
Marcella Kelly |
2002 |
Lady Captain's Prize |
Unknown |
2002 |
President's Prize |
Ruth Mulholland |
2002 |
Lady President's Prize |
Gavin Pierce |
2003 |
Captain's Prize |
Ruth Mulholland |
2003 |
Lady Captain's Prize |
Tom Duggan |
2003 |
President's Prize |
Caroline Hellewell |
2003 |
Lady President's Prize |
Henry Cahill |
2004 |
Captain's Prize |
Ruth Mulholland |
2004 |
Lady Captain's Prize |
not played |
2004 |
President's Prize |
Eileen Duggan |
2004 |
Lady President's Prize |
Peter Quigley |
2005 |
Captain's Prize |
Eileen Duggan |
2005 |
Lady Captain's Prize |
Finbar O' Neill |
2005 |
President's Prize |
Brendan Fitzgerlad |
2005 |
Lady President's Prize |
Tom Ledwidge |
2006 |
Captain's Prize |
Malu Treacy |
2006 |
Lady Captain's Prize |
John Thompson |
2006 |
President's Prize |
Ruth Mulholland |
2006 |
Lady President's Prize |
John Thompson |
2007 |
Captain's Prize |
Malu Treacy |
2007 |
Lady Captain's Prize |
John Thompson |
2007 |
President's Prize |
Rebecca Nixon |
2007 |
Lady President's Prize |
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Card of the Course (yards) |
|
Hole No |
Blue |
White |
Green |
Yellow |
Par |
Index |
Red |
Par |
Index |
1 |
364 |
345 |
325 |
325 |
4 |
16 |
296 |
4 |
14 |
2 |
429 |
419 |
395 |
361 |
4 |
4 |
318 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
182 |
174 |
166 |
156 |
3 |
14 |
122 |
3 |
18 |
4 |
404 |
387 |
348 |
348 |
4 |
2 |
292 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
558 |
540 |
520 |
495 |
5 |
18 |
448 |
5 |
12 |
6 |
229 |
202 |
191 |
191 |
3 |
6 |
164 |
3 |
16 |
7 |
438 |
419 |
388 |
355 |
4 |
12 |
323 |
4 |
8 |
8 |
603 |
575 |
549 |
524 |
5 |
10 |
462 |
5 |
6 |
9 |
426 |
387 |
375 |
375 |
4 |
8 |
331 |
4 |
4 |
Out |
3,633 |
3,448 |
3,257 |
3,130 |
36 |
|
2,756 |
36 |
|
10 |
569 |
553 |
529 |
515 |
5 |
7 |
461 |
5 |
3 |
11 |
169 |
152 |
141 |
127 |
3 |
17 |
103 |
3 |
17 |
12 |
429 |
411 |
393 |
370 |
4 |
9 |
326 |
4 |
7 |
13 |
433 |
411 |
385 |
385 |
4 |
1 |
342 |
4 |
1 |
14 |
195 |
176 |
155 |
155 |
3 |
11 |
142 |
3 |
11 |
15 |
370 |
352 |
341 |
329 |
4 |
15 |
292 |
4 |
13 |
16 |
452 |
433 |
412 |
384 |
4 |
5 |
335 |
4 |
9 |
17 |
534 |
516 |
494 |
476 |
5 |
13 |
423 |
5 |
5 |
18 |
480 |
474 |
447 |
415 |
4 |
3 |
374 |
5 |
15 |
In |
3,631 |
3,478 |
3,297 |
3,156 |
36 |
|
2,798 |
37 |
|
Total |
7,264 |
6,926 |
6,554 |
6,286 |
72 |
|
5,554 |
73 |
|
SSS |
75 |
73 |
72 |
70 |
|
|
73 |
|
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