K Club, The - Ryder Cup 2006

Set amongst the lush countryside of Co. Kildare are two magnificent 18 hole championship golf courses within the resort that is to host the 2006 Ryder Cup. Both of The K Club's courses were designed by Arnold Palmer but each has its own characteristics and special set of challenges. The Palmer Course - which is arguably the finest parkland golfcourse in Ireland - and the Smurfit Course - which has been described as an inland links - offer the most accomplished golfers a challenge of the highest variety.

Before this splendid establishment was officially opened in July 1991,  Dr Michael Smurfit had already set himself the lofty target of staging the Ryder Cup. Following an announcement in Dublin in January 1999, he duly landed himself the biggest prize in team golf and the third-largest undertaking in world sport.

Palmer Course:

Measuring 7,337 yards with a par of 72 from the blue tees, Ireland's first Ryder Cup Venue is no ordinary course, this is what is widely acknowledged as the country's most challenging inland layout. The Palmer Course is, quite simply, one of Europe's most spectacular courses. It charms, it entices and invariably, brings out the very best in your game.

One of the finest holes on the Palmer Course is undoubtedly the par five 7th hole, which measures over 600 yards from the championship stakes. The hole double doglegs its way over sand, rough and water, while the green occupies its own little island which is sandwiched between two arms of the River Liffey.

Smurfit Course:
The Smurfit Course at The K Club, which opened in 2003, has already been described as probably one of the greatest inland Golf Course to be developed in Ireland and its develpoment has attracted attention from far afield. Situated on the other side of the River Liffey - measuring 7,277 yards from the tips with a par of 72 - it offers a completely different challenge to that of the Palmer Course.

The course has dramatic landscapes containing dune type mounding and some magnificent feats of engineering to boot. There is also a strong presence of water throughout, particularly in the closing stages. The course is also heathland in places with gorse and bracken featuring frequently.

The signature hole on this course is undoubtedly the 7th. It is a par 5 measuring some 606 yards.  It has a series of water cascades and water features and the fairway was dropped some sixty feet below its original height.  A large man made quarry / rockface has been developed along the entire length of the golf hole.

Distance and driving times (traffic dependent):

North Dublin (Royal Dublin, Portmarnock, Roganstown, The Island) c. 1hr

Headfort Golf Club          76km (47m), 1 hr 13 mins   
The Heritage Golf Club    72km (45m), 1 hr 10 mins 
Rathsallagh Golf Club      43km (27m), 53 mins
Castleknock Golf Club      23km (14m), 27 mins
Palmerstown House         27km (17m), 26 mins
Carton House Golf Club     8km (5m),   15 mins
Powerscourt Golf Club     53km (33m), 47 mins   
Druids Glen Golf Club      61km (38m), 51 mins 

Other distances, times and route planning

Professional:	John McHenry & Peter O'Hagan
Number of Holes:	36
Type:	Parkland / Inland Links
Course Name:	Palmer Course / Smurfit Course
Designer:	Arnold Palmer
Championship Length:	7,337 yards / 7,277 yards
Greenfees:	€250
Par:	72