Another gem to join the list of national treasures

Charlie Mulqueen is wowed by the grandeur of the new PGA National course at Palmerstown House.

THEY don’t come much better than this. That has to be the verdict after a first visit to Palmerstown House, the magnificent Christy O’Connor Jnr-designed course recently opened on the left of the N7 beyond Naas travelling towards Dublin.

No money was spared on the course or the palatial clubhouse.

Awesome is a word that comes to mind and it’s as good as any to describe this magnificent complex.

It is owned by Jim Mansfield, the entrepreneur also responsible for the nearby 1,100-bedroom Citywest Hotel, Conference Centre and Golf Resort, and the Weston private airport in Celbridge.

Both will have a significant logistical role in the running of next year’s Ryder Cup, while another hotel - on which a sod has yet to be turned - will also be up and running to cater for visiting VIPs.

The entrance to Palmerstown House - or the PGA National Ireland, its official title - is like a building site at present because of the ongoing construction of the new three-lane highway outside.

When the work is completed, it will enhance the attractions of the golf club. Having made one’s way up the impressive driveway, the first wow factor is the stunning, three-storey clubhouse which backs onto, and offers a sumptuous view of, the superb 18th hole, courtesy of a stylish, seated veranda.

The PGA National is a €e30 million development, highlighted by the 7,419 yards, par 72, golf course augmented by four practice putting greens, full practice facilities, short game area and the country’s largest fleet of golf buggies.

Former US President and golf nut Bill Clinton was happy to become the first official member, while PGA chief executive Sandy Jones believes it will not be long before it is hosting some of the world’s most prestigious tournaments.

“The criteria for choosing a suitable Irish venue as our partner meant that only a course deemed by experts to be in the top ten in Ireland could be considered,” he said.

“The only other PGA National courses are at The Belfry and Gleneagles.”

The 800-acre estate was once the property of the Earls of Mayo, with a magnificent manor house built in 1872 one of the dominant factors, while O’Connor Jnr’s course is built around a renowned stud farm.

In his usual exuberant manner, he claims: “It has to be one of the best sites for a golf course in the world and reminds me of going through the gates of Augusta and up Magnolia Lane at the Masters. The estate is steeped in history. It was probably one of the easiest jobs I’ve had to do, with beautiful mature trees, lakes and bridges all incorporated into the course. It’s a fantastic spectacle.”

It’s difficult to find fault with those views, with ‘Junior’ again demonstrating just good he is at this kind of work.

At the same time, anybody attempting to tackle a course of this length off the ‘gold’ or back tees should be able to play to a very high standard, otherwise frustration will set in. And it would be a crying shame should that be the case, for there are tees to suit most standards of golfer - anyone handicapped 12 and over should feel no shame at moving up the bronze markers from where it still stretches to 6,458 yards.

PGA National’s first professional tournament is the Irish PGA Championship on September 15-18, when European Tour members Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Gary Murphy and Stephen Browne will be in the field for a tournament sponsored by Cuisine de France and Simple Overseas Properties.

Paul McGinley and Des Smyth may also be able to squeeze it into their schedules, while O’Connor Jnr will be under pressure to play.

The Irish Region of the PGA will set up their headquarters at Palmerstown House.

Secretary Michael McCumiskey said: “The championship affords us the ideal opportunity of christening the course.”

Those who haven’t seen it have a treat in store and as always with O’Connor Jnr-designed courses, will marvel at his expertise when it comes to designing sporting par fives.

For the signature hole, take your pick between the 6th, 14th and 16th, all demanding three shotters and all virtually surrounded by water.

Intimidating? Perhaps.

Visually attractive? Definitely.

Ironically, the remaining par five, the 9th, isn’t included in the signature list, simply because the others are so good. It’s a fine challenge in itself, however, and on the elevated green, be sure to put the golf aside for a few moments and drink in the magnificent panorama that is the Palmerstown estate and the surrounding countryside.

From there, it’s a sizeable distance (a buggy mightn’t be a bad idea) to the 10th, a par three of 178 yards from the gold tee, where a pair of gorgeously shaped bunkers are so large and craftily positioned that the green is just about the only place one want to be on this hole.

Having reflected just a little more on the subject, I am voting the 16th, an amazing par five with placement of each shot all-important, as my signature hole - but it will also be difficult to complain if your preference is for the 18th, a cracking two shotter where water all the way up the left and carefully located sand traps make it a worthy and aesthetically pleasing, if not overly long, closing hole.

After all that, there’s the elegance of the clubhouse.

What more could you ask for?