Mount Juliet Golf Course
Thomastown, County Kilkenny
Mount Juliet is an old hunting estate that spreads over 1,500 acres and contains the River Nore and the smaller Kings River. Host to the Irish Open between 1993 and 1995 and to the World Championship AmEx event in 2002 and 2004, Mount Juliet has all the hallmarks of a classic Jack Nicklaus design. It is big, measuring 7,264 yards from the tips and blends the natural features of the estate with huge fairways, strategic bunkers and large, undulating greens. Tiger Woods played 71 holes without a bogey in winning the 2002 American Express Championship - a camera click on the 18th fairway spoiled what would have been a remarkable achievement. Mount Juliet is located south of the medieval city of Kilkenny near the picturesque village of Thomastown.
Mount Juliet Course Description
The course makes full use of the natural beauty of the terrain. The third is a gorgeous par-3 played diagonally across the river from an elevated tee. The par-4 fourth continues along the same river, a short but dangerous hole with the green well protected by the water on the right and dense woodland to the left.
The tenth provides an unusual and unique feature - a choice of runways! The direct line of the second shot is blocked by a copse of huge oak trees. The fairway divides and offers the choice of playing to either the right or left, but placing the second shot in such a position that it offers a straightforward pitch to the three-tiered green is the key to successful negotiation of this hole.
For many the signature hole is the par-4 13th. A long tee-shot is required to a fairway that falls gently towards the green. The resulting downhill lie adds to the diffculty of the second shot which must traverse a deep lake immediately in front of a devilishly placed green that slopes dramatically.The final hole at Mount Juliet rates as one of the toughest challenges in tournament golf. A very long, straight drive sets up a long iron or fairway wood approach to a green tucked beside the lake which extends back the entire left hand side of the fairway. As if the lake didn't cause enough angst on the tee, a beautiful oak tree guards the right hand side and will cut short any drive on the conservative line. Making par here is a thrill!
Mount Juliet is maintained to the highest possible standards and the visiting golfer will always comment on its immaculate presentation. The greens superintendent, Aidan O'Hara, has been loudly and publicly praised by the worlds best golfers during the two stagings of the AmEx.
