Killeen Castle Golf Club

Killeen Castle Golf Club: In the grounds of Killeen Castle, parts of which date from 1191, Jack Nicklaus has crafted a fabulous parkland golf course. Opened in 2009 and host to the Solheim Cup just two years later, here is a wonderfully expansive, big dimension, championship design.

Much of the layout occupies pleasantly open undulating terrain. Here you'll find good-width rolling fairways leading to large and sometimes wickedly sloping greens. En route to the putting surfaces you will need to navigate past a stylish and often prolific array of bunkers that come in all shapes and sizes.

Killeen Castle is home to a fine array of golf holes. The standout par-5 12th is played to an attractive rock-wall lined green; a small waterfall and Swilken-style bridge attractively complement the scene. On the heavily water-defended closing stretch, another "signature" hole, the par-3 16th, demands a tee-to-green carry over water. More water threatens on the par-4 17th, with a small lake hugging the fairway as it curves round from left to right.

To end your round the threateningly bunkered par-4 18th brings you back up a gentle incline, the castle providing a stunning backdrop to the final green. On many holes you will be playing in full view of the impressive 12th century castle. On other holes only the castle's turrets and battlements are glimpsed above the fescued links-style mounding, which lines and defines the fairways.

Beyond the course you look out onto pleasantly rolling, partly wooded countryside, without roads or housing intruding on your enjoyment of this natural setting. An excellent golf course with top-quality facilities throughout.