Family row results in sale of top golf resort

A family row has resulted in the sale of the exclusive €70m Doonbeg golf resort in Co Clare to a US-based property investment firm.

The court battle between cousins, chairman and CEO of Kiawah Partners, Charles “Buddy” Darby and Leonard Long, has resulted in the sale of the entire portfolio that also includes Kiawah Island which staged the 1991 Ryder Cup.

Patrick Melton, chief executive of the new owners of Doonbeg — South Street Partners — said the new management is “evaluating” Kiawah’s overseas holdings but added that no immediate changes are planned as a result of the ownership change.