Doonbeg Golf Links golf club Clare
Doonbeg Golf Links Golf Course
Designed by the legendary Greg Norman at a cost of 28 million, Doonbeg was a long time a coming. Plagued by planning appeals involving the protection of the Vertigo Angustior a 2 mm snail a solution was found and eight years later the course opens on the 1st July 2002. One week later it plays host to the Palmer Cup, an annual International, match-play competition involving college golfers from the US against a team picked from the cream of Britain and Ireland.
Greg expects his creation to stage the Ryder Cup or the UBS Warburg Cup when the golf links becomes established and the right infrastructure is in place in 2004. Landmark National and Kiawah Development Partners are planning a new clubhouse, a five star, 90-room hotel and 46 cottages.
Doonbeg has already been voted number two in the top 10 new golf courses in the world, by the "Sports Illustrated". We now look forward to another fine links on the West Coast of Ireland, in keeping with the other gems such as Waterville, Tralee, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Connemara, Carne, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo, Donegal, Ballyliffin and others.
Doonbeg Golf Club was honoured by Golf Digest magazine as the "Best New International Course of 2002 and Golf World named it number 95 on its list of "the people, places and things that had the world of golf talking" in 2002.
Doonbeg was voted the No. 24-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2016 (Up-4);
Doonbeg was voted the No. 28-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2015 (Down-4);
Doonbeg was voted the No. 24-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2014 (Up-2);
Doonbeg was voted the No. 26-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2013 (Down-3);
Doonbeg was voted the No. 23-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2012;
Doonbeg was voted the No. 36-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2010;
Doonbeg was voted the No. 12 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2010, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland;
Doonbeg was voted the No. 34-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2009;
Doonbeg was voted the No. 12 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2009, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland;
Doonbeg was voted the No. 29-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2008;
Doonbeg was voted the No. 15 Links/Shoreline 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;
| It should be noted that the Green Fees are from 13th May | |
|
Green Fees Monday to Thursday June to Sept: |
€150 |
| Green Fees Friday to Sunday June to Sept: | €180 |
| Green Fees Monday to Thursday May & Oct: | €135 |
| Green Fees Friday to Sunday May & Oct: | €135 |
| Green Fees December to April: | €50 |
| Twilight Green Fees from 3pm: |
€95 |
| Green Fees with a Member: | €65 |
| Green Fees for Opens: | €65 |
| Practice Area: | Range |
| Club Hire: | Yes |
| Buggy Hire: | Yes |
| Soft Spikes: | Yes |
| Course Type | Links |
| No Holes | 18 |
| Members | 130 |
| Designer | Greg Norman |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Address | Doonbeg, |
| Telephone | 065-905 5673 |
| kkenny@trumphotels.com | |
| Website | Doonbeg Golf Links golf club website |
| Golf Manager: | Kevin Kenny |
| Captain: | Sean Neylon |
| Lady Captain: | Mary Nolan |
| Presidents': | Timmy Killeen & Ita Mangan |
| Vice-Captain: | None |
| Hon. Secretary: | James Griffin & Elizabeth Willams |
| Head Club Pro.: | Brian Shaw |
| Hon. Treasurer: | Padraig Kinnerk & Helen Williams |
| Comp. Secretary: | Nigel Dillon & Anne Carrick |
Course Layout
Location Map
Lat:52.760166
Long:-9.488282
General Facts & Information
| Course opening hours: Daylight hours | Clubhouse opening hours: 7.30am to 10.00pm |
| Mobile phones: Not on course |
Dress Code: Neat and casual, no denim |
| Catering: Full catering, facilities | Days to Avoid: None (phone for booking) |
| Green Fees and Societies Welcome: Midweek & Weekends | Pre-booking for open Tournaments: 14 days in advance |
Doonbeg Golf Links Golf Club Fixtures 2024 provisional*
| Open & Major Fixtures 2016 (to be Confirmed) | ||||
| Event | Start | Finish | Type | Duration |
| Captains' Drive-In | Closed | 1 |
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| President's Prize | Closed | 1 |
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| Lady President's Prize | Closed | 1 |
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| Lady Captain's Prize | Closed | 1 |
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| Captain's Prize | Closed | 1 |
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| Great Irish Links Challenge | Monday 20 June |
Thursday 23 June |
Open | 4 |
| Great Irish Links Challenge | Tuesday 21 June |
Open | 1 | |
| Great Irish Links Challenge | Wednesday 22 |
Open | 1 | |
| Great Irish Links Challenge | Thursday 23 June | Open | 1 |
Card of the Course
| Key | Data |
| White | Par 72 SSS 71 6,361 yd's |
| Yellow | Par 72 SSS 69 5,675 yd's |
| Red | Par 72 SSS 67 4,801 yd's |
| Blue | Par 72 SSS 74 6,911 yd's |
Card
| Hole No. | Blue | White | Yellow | Par | Index | Red | Par | Index |
| 1 | 567 | 540 | 515 | 5 | 3 | 497 | 5 | 3 |
| 2 | 426 | 409 | 386 | 4 | 11 | 255 | 4 | 11 |
| 3 | 361 | 327 | 291 | 4 | 17 | 247 | 4 | 17 |
| 4 | 592 | 536 | 456 | 5 | 5 | 381 | 5 | 5 |
| 5 | 373 | 331 | 284 | 4 | 7 | 245 | 4 | 7 |
| 6 | 370 | 285 | 270 | 4 | 9 | 210 | 4 | 9 |
| 7 | 227 | 195 | 165 | 3 | 13 | 121 | 3 | 13 |
| 8 | 582 | 542 | 512 | 5 | 1 | 351 | 5 | 1 |
| 9 | 175 | 157 | 124 | 3 | 15 | 114 | 3 | 15 |
| Out | 3,673 | 3,322 | 3,003 | 37 | 2,421 | 37 | ||
| 10 | 580 | 550 | 482 | 5 | 2 | 454 | 5 | 2 |
| 11 | 148 | 136 | 114 | 3 | 16 | 100 | 3 | 16 |
| 12 | 401 | 375 | 335 | 4 | 12 | 325 | 4 | 12 |
| 13 | 500 | 451 | 380 | 5 | 10 | 299 | 5 | 10 |
| 14 | 111 | 106 | 95 | 3 | 18 | 83 | 3 | 18 |
| 15 | 405 | 397 | 344 | 4 | 6 | 289 | 4 | 6 |
| 16 | 205 | 186 | 162 | 3 | 14 | 152 | 3 | 14 |
| 17 | 424 | 401 | 367 | 4 | 8 | 323 | 4 | 8 |
| 18 | 464 | 437 | 393 | 4 | 4 | 355 | 4 | 4 |
| In | 3,238 | 3,039 | 2,672 | 35 | 2,380 | 35 | ||
| Total | 6,911 | 6,361 | 5,675 | 72 | 4,801 | 72 | ||
| SSS | 74 | 71 | 69 | 67 |
Notable rounds
Men's Course Record: 67 Padraig Harrington & Paul McGinley
Ladies Course Record:
Members Achievements
History of Doonbeg Golf Links
Founded 2004
Doonbeg was considered as an ideal setting for links golf as early as 1892 by officers of the Scottish Black Watch Regiment.Instead they selected Lahinch, which was more accessible.
The Doonbeg Community Development Company began to promote the concept of a golf course at Doonbeg in the early 1990s. Urged by that group, Shannon Development obtained purchase options for 377 acres of linksland from four farming families at Doonbeg.
Doonbeg Golf Club Ltd., an Irish entity created by the partners of Kiawah Development Partners, acquired the options from Shannon Development and closed the sale in December 1999.
Construction of the golf course commenced December 7, 1999.
Private investment in the golf course totalled around $25 million. This included course facilities, infrastructure (roads, water, sewer), and land costs (including legal and permitting), but does not take into account the accommodation or related amenities. The project is supported in part by a 2.4 million in European Structural Funds.
When complete with Lodge, Clubhouse, Spa, and Cottages the project will represent an overall investment of over 150 million.
Environmental Preservation
Environmentally, the Doonbeg site contains two significant elements that have been meticulously protected: the grey dunes (the term applied to the oldest intact dunes) and an endangered snail, Vertigo angustior.
The grey dunes at Doonbeg are designated as a candidate Special Area of Conservation by the Irish Heritage Service. Under a management agreement between Doonbeg Golf Club and, those 51 acres of grey dunes are fenced off permanently for preservation and are not in play.
The remainder of the site, including the course, is designated as a proposed Natural Heritage Area.
Vertigo angustior, a microscopic snail just 2 millimeters high and 1 millimeter wide, was discovered on the site during the developer's environmental impact assessment. Like the grey dunes, it is listed for protection under the European Union's Habitats Directive. After analysi by the leading Irish expert on Vertigo angustior, it was concluded that the snail can coexist both in the dunes and on the course. A management plan carried out by the developer continuously monitors and protects the snail habitat.
Kiawah Development Partners has won several significant awards for its environmental sensitivity at Kiawah Island. These awards note the company's record for careful, conservative dune preservation and for integrating its golf courses with nature, both of which are of utmost priority at Doonbeg Golf Club.
Roll of Honour
Sean Neylon
| Member | Year | Hon. Position |
| Ita Mangan | 2004 | Ladies Captain |
| Charlie Darbey | 2004 | Men's Captain |
| Pat Cotter | 2004 | President |
| Ita Mangan | 2005 | Ladies Captain |
| Charlie Darbey | 2005 | Men's Captain |
| Pat Cotter | 2005 | President |
| Ita Mangan | 2006 | Ladies Captain |
| Charlie Darbey | 2006 | Men's Captain |
| Pat Cotter | 2006 | President |
| Imelda Shanahan | 2007 | Ladies Captain |
| Francis McInerney | 2007 | Men's Captain |
| Pat Hanrahan | 2007 | President |
| Imelda Shanahan | 2008 | Ladies Captain |
| Mary O'Sullivan | 2008 | Ladies President |
| Noel McMahon | 2008 | Men's Captain |
| Pat Hanrahan | 2008 | President |
| Mary O'Sullivan | 2009 | Ladies Captain |
| Mary O'Sullivan | 2009 | Ladies President |
| James Griffin | 2009 | Men's Captain |
| Diarmaid O'Donnell | 2009 | President |
| Mary O'Sullivan | 2010 | Ladies Captain |
| Mary O'Sullivan | 2010 | Ladies President |
| Declan Conway | 2010 | Men's Captain |
| Diarmaid O'Donnell | 2010 | President |
| Mary O'Sullivan | 2011 | Ladies Captain |
| Mary O'Sullivan | 2011 | Ladies President |
| Kevin Hayes | 2011 | Men's Captain |
| Michael Bermingham | 2011 | President |
| Mary Arthur | 2012 | Ladies Captain |
| Ita Mangan | 2012 | Ladies President |
| Seamus Griffin | 2012 | Men's Captain |
| Michael Bermingham | 2012 | President |
| Liz Blake | 2013 | Ladies Captain |
| Ita Mangan | 2013 | Ladies President |
| Nigel Dillon | 2013 | Men's Captain |
| Timmy Killeen | 2013 | President |
| Liz Blake | 2014 | Ladies Captain |
| Ita Mangan | 2014 | Ladies President |
| Sean Moloney | 2014 | Men's Captain |
| Timmy Killeen | 2014 | President |
| Mary Nolan |
2015 | Ladies Captain |
| Ita Mangan | 2015 | Ladies President |
| Gerard Ryan | 2015 | Men's Captain |
| Timmy Killeen | 2015 | President |
| Mary Nolan |
2016 | Ladies Captain |
| Ita Mangan | 2016 | Ladies President |
| Sean Noylon |
2016 | Men's Captain |
| Timmy Killeen | 2016 | President |
| 2016 | Lowest Ladies H'cap | |
| 2016 | Lowest Men's H'cap |
Holes in One at Doonbeg Golf Links
| Member | Date | Hole No. | Club Used | Distance |
| 6th | 221 yd's |
If you have had a Hole-in-One on your course and would like it recorded here please contact me on go.golfing@yahoo.ie
Giving your name, the date,the hole, the club used and the distance.
