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Castlewarden golf club Kildare

Castlewarden golf course Kildare

Castlewarden Golf Course

Castlewarden Club Crest

Castlewarden is one of the best kept secrets in Leinster, this hidden gem is nestled in the plains of Kildare between the townlands of Steelstown and Oughterard. The 160 acres of lush pastureland was transformed into a magnificent par 72 - 6704 yards, 18 hole Parkland Golf Course.
Castlewarden opened as a members owned Club in 1990 and happily this year celebrates it’s 20th Anniversary. The original course development was undertaken by the well known Golf Professional and Course designer tommy Halpin.

In 1993 Bobby Browne was commissioned for the second stage of development and undertook a redesign of the course. In 1995 the much acclaimed course architect the late Tom Craddock gave his design recommendations for a long term development plan. Finally, and more recently in 2008 the design services of Tommy Halpin were enlisted again to complete the final stage of the clubs vision for this grand design. The course has matured beautifully over the 20 years and bears little resemblance to the original design. Many thousands of  trees have been planted and today Castlewarden boasts an enviable selection of native and exotic trees. The members now enjoy a course of Championship standard and it presents an interesting challenge for every level of golfer.

The house known as Castlewarden House pre-date the 16th Century. In 1941 the Harrington family sold the farm of 200 acres to the O’Malley family. The O'Malley's then lived there and enjoyed a thriving mixed farming family business until they sold 160 acres approx to what is now home to Castlewarden Golf and Country Club. In 2004 the Original House, which is listed as a National Monument, was tastefully extended to include a new Bar and Restaurant with excellent views of the 1st and 3rd holes. Fully fitted Ladies and Gents Locker rooms and Professional Golf Shop now complete these modern Clubhouse facilities.


Green Fees Monday to Thurs. Low Season: €25
Green Fees Monday to Thurs. High Season: €30
Green Fees Fri. to Sun. & B.H. Low Season: €35
Green Fees Fri. to Sun. & B.H. High Season: €40
Green Fees with a Member: €17
Green Fees for Opens: €25
Driving Range: Yes
Practice Area: Yes
Club Hire: Yes
Buggy Hire: Yes
Soft Spikes: Yes
Full Membership Available: Yes
Full Membership Fee: €1,435
Full 5-Day Membership Fee: €1,000
Full Lifestyle Membership Fee: €1,050
Full Intermediate Membership Fee: €350
Full Junior Membership Fee: €284
Entrance Fee: None

 

Course Type Parkland
No Holes 18
Members 821
Designer Tommy Halpin & Tom Craddock
Founded 1990
Address

Castlewarden,
Straffan,
Co. Kildare

Telephone 01-4589254
Email info@castlewardengolfclub.ie
Website Castlewarden golf club website
Office Managers: Colette & Deirdre
Captain: Tony Macari
Lady Captain: Roisin Harpur
President: Gerry O'Kelly
Vice-Captains': Brendan O'Malley & Katherine Moore  
Hon. Secretary: Noel Finnegan, Damien Birmingham & Emer McDonagh
Club Pro: Brian O'Brien
Hon. Treasurer: Declan Devlin, Peter Carty & Anne Marie Pryal
Comp. Secretary: Brian Roe & Nuala Downes

 

Castlewarden Golf Course Layout Course Layout

Location Map

GPS Coord*
Lat:53.264519
Long:-6.541543
*Please check information before travelling

General Facts & Information

Course opening hours: Daylight hours Clubhouse opening hours: 11.00am to 11.30pm
Mobile phones: Not on course
Dress Code: Neat and casual, no denim
Catering: Full catering, facilities Days to Avoid: Weekends
Green Fees and Societies Welcome: Other Days Pre-booking for open Tournaments: 14 Days in advance

Castlewarden Golf Club Fixtures 2024 provisional*

Open & Major Fixtures 2023 (Confirmed)        
Event* Start Finish Type Duration
Captain's Drive-In Saturday 4 March
  Closed 1
Vice-Captain's Prize Friday 19 May Saturday 20 May Closed 2
Vice-Captain's Prize Saturday 20 May   Closed 1
Lady Vice-Captain's Prize Tuesday 23 May   Closed 1
Lady Captain's Prize Day 1 Tuesday 4 July
  Closed 1
Lady Captain's Prize Day 2 Saturday 8 July   Closed 1
President's Prize (Q) Saturday 15 July Sunday 16 July Closed 2
President's Prize (Q) Sunday 16 July   Closed 1
President's Prize Saturday 22 July   Closed 1
Lady Captain's Prize to the Men
Saturday 29 July   Closed 1
Captain's Prize (Q) Saturday 12 August Sunday 13 August Closed 2
Captain's Prize (Q) Sunday 13 August   Closed 1
Captain's Prize to the Ladies Tuesday 15 August   Closed 1
Captain's Prize Saturday 19 August   Closed 1
Professional's Prize to the Men
Saturday 2 September   Closed  
Professional's Prize to the Ladies Tuesday 5 September
  Closed 1
Vice-President's Prize Saturday 9 September   Closed 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 4 January   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 11 January   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 18 January   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 25 January   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 1 February
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 8 February   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 15 February   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 22 February   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 1 March
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 8 March   Open 1
L. & G. Seniors Singles Stableford Monday 13 March   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 15 March   Open 1
4-Person Team Event Friday 17 March   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 22 March   Open 1
L. & G. Singles Stableford Sunday 26 March   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 29 March   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 5 April
  Open 1
3-Person Team Event Friday7 April   Open 1
Singles Stableford Saturday 8 April Sunday 9 April Open 2
Singles Stableford Sunday 9 April   Open 1
Sunday 9 April Monday 10 April
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 12 April   Open 1
L. & G. Seniors Singles Stableford Monday 17 April   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 19 April   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 26 April   Open 1
Singles Stableford Saturday 29 April Sunday 30 April Open 2
Singles Stableford Sunday 30 April   Open 1
4-Person Team Event Monday 1 May   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 3 May
  Open 1
L. & G. Seniors Singles Stableford Monday 8 May
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 10 May   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 17 May   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 24 May   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 31 May
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Saturday 3 June Sunday 4 June Open 2
Singles Stableford Sunday 4 June   Open 1
4-Person Team Event Monday 5 June   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 7 June   Open 1
Senior Scratch Cup Sunday 11 June   Open 1
Junior Scratch Cup Sunday 11 June   Open 1
L. & G. Seniors Singles Stableford Monday 12 June   Open 1
Start Of Open Week Saturday 17 June Sunday 25 June Open 10
3-Person Scramble Saturday 17 June   Open 1
Inter. Scratch Cup Sunday 18 March   Open 1
Minor Scratch Cup Sunday 18 March   Open 1
L. & G. Singles Stableford Monday 19 June   Open 1
Ladies 3-Person Team Event Tuesday 20 June   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 21 June   Open 1
2-Person Team Event Thursday 22 June   Open 1
L. & G. 4-Person Team Event Friday 23 June   Open 1
L. & G. Singles Stableford Saturday 24 June   Open 1
Mixed 4-Person Team Event Sunday 25 June   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 28 June   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 5 July   Open 1
L. & G. Seniors 55 + Monday 10 July   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 12 July   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 19 July   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 26 July   Open 1
Singles Stableford
Wednesday 2 August
  Open 1
Ladies Singles Stableford Thursday 3 August
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Saturday 5 August
Sunday 6 August
Open 2
Singles Stableford Sunday 6 August
  Open 1
4-Person Team Event
Monday 7 August   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 9 August   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 16 August   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 23 August
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 30 August
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 6 September   Open 1
L. & G. Seniors Singles Stableford Monday 11 September   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 13 September   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 20 September
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 27 September
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 4 October   Open 1
L. & G. Seniors Singles Stableford Monday 9 October   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 11 October   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 18 October   Open 1
Singles Stableford Sunday 22 October   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 25 October
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Saturday 28 October Sunday 29 October Open 2
Singles Stableford Sunday 29 October   Open 1
4-person Team Event Monday 30 October   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 1 November   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 8 November   Open 1
L. & G. Seniors Singles Stableford Monday 13 November   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 15 November   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 22 November   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 29 November   Open 1
Singles Stableford Wednesday 6 December
  Open 1

*Please check information before travelling

Card of the Course

KeyData
White Par 72 SSS 71 6,473 yd's
Yellow Par 72 SSS 69 6,177 yd's
Red Par 74 SSS 74 5,673 yd's
Blue Par 72 SSS 72 6,696 yd's

Card

Hole No. Blue White Yellow Par Index Red Par Index
1 506
497
475 5 11/12 385
5 15
2 178 170 160 3 17/8 154 3 17
3 451 441 426 4 1/4 423 5 11
4 324 314 312 4 15/16 300 4 5
5 394 384 371 4 9/14 332 4 7
6 406 395
386 4 3/2 353 4 3
7 386 375 345 4 5/6 314 4 9
8 525 487 478 5 13/18 400 5 13
9 392 376 335 4 7/10 341 4 1
Out 3,562 3,439 3,288 37   3,002 38  
10 261 252 240 4 16/13 230 4 12
11 373 362 355 4 10/3 308 4 10
12 392
380 375 4 12/11 334 4 6
13 153 148
132 3 18/17 117 3 18
14 392 386 365 4 4/1 339 4 2
15 404
389 366 4 8/9 359 4 4
16 429 413 410 4 2/5 406 5 14
17 175 164 156 3 14/15 149 3 16
18 555 540 490 5 6/7 429 5 8
In 3,134 3,034 2,889 35   2,671 36  
Total 6,696 6,473 6,177 72   5,673 74  
SSS 72 71 69
    74    

Notable rounds

Men's Course Record: 70 Brendan McDonnell

Ladies Course Record:

Members Achievements

Lauren Walsh was, selected on the 2023 Golf Ireland Women’s High Performance Squad.

Lauren Walsh was selected to play on the 2022 GB&Ireland Curtis Cup at the Merion Golf Club East Course from the 10th to the 12th June. Well done Lauren.

Castlewarden Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Pierce Purcell Shield when they beat Clontarf Golf Club at Glen-of-The-Downs in 2202 and were drawn against Ulster Champions Moyola Park in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals at Galway Golf Club on September 5th. The team was Johnny Murray, Esmond Butler, Brian Deereux, Stuart Callery, Des O'Neill, Brad Flynn, Declan Bolger, Colm Kellett, Andrew Birthwistle, Andy Callanan, Noel Walsh, John Beirne, Fintan King, Paul Whelan and Brendan McCann. They were managed by Barney McCann and Tom Whelan. The team on the day was Esmond Butler with Declan Bolger, Colm Kellett with Noel Walsh, Stuart Callery with Andrew Bithistle, Brad Flynn with Des O'Neill and John Murray with Brian Devereux. 

The Ladies of Castlewarden Golf Club won the ILGU Eastern District Autumn Team Trophy in 1995, when the team was, P. Flynn, S. O'Donoghue, A. Brennan, J. Tyrrell, P. Sullivan, D. Hanlon and they were captained by M. O'Carroll.

Husband and wife Brigid (25) and Brendan Foran (12), were leading qualifiers, in the Spar-Irish Independent National Mixed Pairs at the South County Golf Club in July 2002. When they shot 49 points to lead the field by 3 points.

J. Ferriter was elected to the council of the Leinster Branch of the GUI for 201

Joan Byrne won the Millennium Lady Captain's Prize, which was also the 10th anniversary of the founding of the club. Joan, had rounds of 73 and 69 to win by two shots from Gilly Hughes.

History of Castlewarden

Founded 1990

The original course design in 1990 was the work of well-known professional and course designer Tommy Halpin. For several reasons, including a desire to bring the course into play in the shortest possible time, all of the original greens were developed from the indigenous turf. Although the quality of these greens was brought to a high standard by appropriate, sanding, aeration and feeding, most of them have since been replaced by USGA specification (sand based) greens during  the subsequent course development projects. 

In 1993, Bobby Browne was commissioned to re-design the course. This design included two new holes – what are now the 2nd and 3rd holes. It was also at this time that the transition to sand-based greens was initiated. 

In 1995, the late Tom Craddock, a highly regarded course architect, was invited to examine the course and make design recommendations. Today’s course is, to a very large extent, a manifestation of recommendations made by Tom Craddock at that time.   

In more recent years, the design services of Tommy Halpin were enlisted for some improvement projects relating to modification of some greens, tee boxes and the re-alignment of fairways.  

Because of our soil type and topography poor drainage was a problem in some sectors during the early years. These initial problems have been resolved by installing an extensive (20km) sand slit-based drainage system so that the fairways in the Castlewarden course are virtually rainproof

Over the past twenty years several thousand trees have been planted and Castlewarden today boasts an enviable selection of native and exotic tree species. The course today bears little resemblance to the original design and members now enjoy a 6704 yards, par 72 Golf Course that is of Championship standard.

New clubhouse extension completed 2003.

Roll of Honour

Member Year Hon. Position
Brid Neary 1990 Ladies Captain
Terry O'Carroll 1990 Men's Captain
Noel Herterich 1990 President
Evelyn Lawless 1991 Ladies Captain
Owen O'Kelly 1991 Men's Captain
Moses Morrissey 1991 President
Valerie Byrne 1992 Ladies Captain
Noel Herterich 1992 Men's Captain
Kevin O'Kelly 1992 President
Majella McWeeney 1993 Ladies Captain
Anthony Kerr 1993 Men's Captain
David O'Brien 1993 President
Barbara O'Malley 1994 Ladies Captain
Brian Tighe 1994 Men's Captain
Tom Martin 1994 President
Vivian Coleman 1995 Ladies Captain
John Flemming 1995 Men's Captain
Terry Carroll 1995 President
Deirdre Hanlon 1996 Ladies Captain
Bill Lloyd 1996 Men's Captain
Monty Fitzgerald 1996 President
Phyllis Flynn 1997 Ladies Captain
Ray Finn 1997 Men's Captain
Tony Kerr 1997 President
Esther Fitzgerald 1998 Ladies Captain
Tom Maxwell 1998 Men's Captain
Esmond J. Butler 1998 President
Sheila Brien 1999 Ladies Captain
John O'Neill 1999 Men's Captain
Esmond J. Butler 1999 President
Sheila O'Donoghue 2000 Ladies Captain
Paul McDonnell 2000 Men's Captain
Eugene Hanley 2000 President
Irene O'Connor 201 Ladies Captain
Alan Brown 201 Men's Captain
Eugene Hanley 201 President
Kathleen Burke 2002 Ladies Captain
Diarmaid Marsh 2002 Men's Captain
John Ferriter 2002 President
Marie Kenna 2003 Ladies Captain
Edward Gavin 2003 Men's Captain
John Ferriter 2003 President
Angela Dunleavy 2004 Ladies Captain
Jim Corbett 2004 Men's Captain
Keal Duggan 2004 President
Teresa Flynn 2005 Ladies Captain
Michael Coleman 2005 Men's Captain
Edward Gavin 2005 President
Joan Cotter 2006 Ladies Captain
Jim Harte 2006 Men's Captain
Matt Killalea 2006 President
Mary McNamara 2007 Ladies Captain
Tony Clarke  2007 Men's Captain
Brendan Martin 2007 President
Annette Walsh 2008 Ladies Captain
Sean Casey 2008 Men's Captain
Brendan Lynch 2008 President
Jill Kerrigan 2009 Ladies Captain
John Campbell 2009 Men's Captain
Mary McNamara 2009 President
Kay Kevlihan 2010 Ladies Captain
Robert Carroll  2010 Men's Captain
Tom Fitzpatrick 2010 President
Emer O'Flaherty 2011 Ladies Captain
Ciaran Dunne 2011 Men's Captain
Sean Casey 2011 President
Mary O'Connell 2012 Ladies Captain
Mick Fitzpatrick 2012 Men's Captain
Paddy McGowan 2012 President
Joan Healy 2013 Ladies Captain
Keith White 2013 Men's Captain
Jim Corbett
2013 President
Deirdre Sheehy 2014 Ladies Captain
Bill Moran 2014 Men's Captain
John O'Neill 2014 President
Dolores Gavin 2015 Ladies Captain
Peter Ganly
2015 Men's Captain
  2015 President
Philippa Carr 2016 Ladies Captain
Joe Robinson 2016 Men's Captain
Majella McWeeney
2016 President
Nancy Meredith 2017 Ladies Captain
Monty Fitzgerald 2017 Men's Captain
Diarmaid Marsh 2017 President
Paulyne Corby 2018 Ladies Captain
John Beirne 2018 Men's Captain
Brendan Lynch 2018 President
Janice Fleming 2019 Ladies Captain
Dave Kelly 2019 Men's Captain
Robert Carroll 2019 President
Deirdre Sheehy 2020 Ladies Captain
Vincent Hendrick 2020 Men's Captain
Joe McShane 2020 President
Ann O'Connor 2021 Ladies Captain
Cormac Ryan 2021 Men's Captain
Joe McShane 2021 President
Siobhan Kane 2022 Ladies Captain
Des O'Neill 2022 Men's Captain
John Fleming 2022 President
Roisin Harpur 2023 Ladies Captain
Tony Macari 2023 Men's Captain
Gerry O'Kelly 2023 President
Lauren Walsh 2023 Lowest Ladies H'cap
Clodagh Walsh 2023 Lowest Ladies H'cap
Emily Gavin (14) 2023 Lowest Ladies H'cap
Kevin Robinson 2023 Lowest Men's H'cap
James Hannan 203 Lowest Men's H'cap

Holes in One at Castlewarden

Member Date Hole No. Club Used Distance
Tom Martin 11 June 1990 2nd   124 yd‘s
Elaine O'Kelly 29 June 1993 2nd   150 yd‘s
Fionnuala McCarthy 1 April 1993 2nd   150 yd‘s
David Crothers 5 May 1996 4th   164 yd‘s
Tom McCarthy 13 November 1997 16th   128 m
Graham O'Kelly 18 October 1997 13th   148 yd‘s
Noel Owens 1 February 1998 17th   172 yd‘s
John Campbell 3 May 1999 2nd   185 yd‘s
Damien Lynch 17 May 201 13th   110 yd‘s
Beryl Lynch 7 May 2002 13th   110 yd‘s
Seamus Kennelly 29 May 2002 2nd   185 yd‘s
John Campbell 7 July 2002 2nd   185 yd‘s
Madeleine Maguire 7 September 2002 13th   115 yd‘s
Ann Coburn 8 October 202 2nd   157 yd‘s
Owen Carroll 30 July 2005 13th 5-iron 148 yd‘s
Tommy Maguire 1 March 2003 17th   172 yd‘s
Matthew Killalea 14 August 2004 2nd   186 yd‘s
Ciaran Dunne 26 March 2005 2nd   185 yd‘s
Eamon Hardiman 1 August 2005 2nd   180 yd‘s
Patrick Lafferty 27 August 2006 13th   153 yd's
David O'Brien 23 June 2007 2nd   170 yd's
Conor Byrne 30 April 2022