Mount Juliet Golf & Spa Hotel
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| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland |
| Established | 1991 |
| Type | Private |
| Owned by | Tetrarch Group |
| Total holes | 18 |
| Events hosted | WGC-American Express Championship (2002, 2004), Irish Open (1993–95) |
| Website | www.mountjuliet.ie |
| Jack Nicklaus Signature Course | |
| Designed by | Jack Nicklaus |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 7,264 yards (6,642 m) |
The Mount Juliet Hotel & Golf Course is situated in Mount Juliet Estate Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland.
History
The Mount Juliet Estate was named by the Earl of Carrick after his wife Juliet, and consists of a Georgian manor home set on a hill overlooking the River Nore, surrounded by over 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) of land. It was purchased in 1987 by the Killeen Group, who proceeded to develop the estate, incorporating a hotel, stud, golf course and residential properties. In 2002 a deal was signed that saw the hotel, spa and stud join the Conrad Hotels brand operated by Hilton Hotels Corporation. That arrangement was terminated late in 2009. In 2014 the estate was purchased by the Tetrarch group. The hotel also has a Michelin Star restaurant, the Lady Helen, which as retained the award for the past 3 years. The Lady Helen restaurant is run under the guidance of head chef, Ken Harker.
Golf
The par 72, 7,300-yard (6,700 m) Jack Nicklaus designed golf course opened in 1991, and is considered to be one of Ireland's best courses, having been voted Best Parkland Golf Course by Backspin Golf Magazine in March 2008 and again in February 2010. It was the venue for the 2002 and 2004 WGC-American Express Championship, and previously hosted the European Tour's Irish Open on three occasions between 1993 and 1995. The course was also visited by Shell's Wonderful World of Golf in 1998, for a challenge match between Tom Watson and Fred Couples.
There is also a full 18 hole putting course set in the grounds of Mount Juliet House, which is the venue for the annual National Putting Championship. Other facilities at Mount Juliet include a driving range, practice putting greens and a Golf Academy.