Castle Dargan Hotel News

June 2010

Ian Keenan clinches victory at the Castle Dargan Irish Masters

Ian Keenan said he was proud of a win that was “a long time coming” after a final round 67 gave him a one stroke victory at 11 under par at the Castle Dargan PGA EuroPro Tour event in Sligo.

Castle Dargan Golf Hotel & Spa

Keenan (Royal Liverpool) led the tournament after the opening round at six under par, and a second round 70 saw him tee off one stroke behind final round leader Andrew Thorpe.

Three birdies on the front nine saw Keenan seize the initiative as Thorpe dropped an early shot. An eagle at the tenth saw him strengthen his position but he admitted a wobble at the 16th had him worried – before he composed himself to finish one stroke clear of Justin Evans.

Ian Keenan claimed victory in Ireland

“It’s a long time coming to be honest, and at 16 I thought I might have blown it,” said Keenan, who pockets £10,000 for the win. “I had a stinking lie after over-shooting the green and I thought I’d hit a good shot too. But I got away with just the bogey and gathered myself well, and I’m delighted with the win.

“I deserved this though after the way I played from tee to green all week,” said the Hoylake pro. “I said to my roommate that this course was perfect for me and I knew I was playing well. The 65 in the opening round showed that, and the 70 yesterday was good too, but it’s a three-round tournament and there were some great scores out there – look at Paul Maddy’s 64 (second round) – so one low round was never going to be enough.

“Putting pressure on down the front nine was important but with such a bunched leader board, I couldn’t allow myself to be too distracted as players could come from anywhere to pass you,” said the 34 year-old. “I just stuck to my guns and I’m very proud of that performance.”

Castle Dargan Golf Hotel & Spa

Evans (Wentworth Club) was level par after nine holes, with two bogeys swiftly followed by two birdies. It was an eagle at the tenth that kept Evans interested in the trophy, with birdies at 12 and 15 taking him to 11 under, but a bogey at 17 meant he had to settle for second place at ten under.

Daniel Belch took third spot after a fine final round of 65. Belch (Hillside GC) did the damage on the front nine, with three birdies from the fourth followed by another at the eighth. A fifth birdie came at the tenth before his first blip – a bogey at 14. But Belch replied instantly with his sixth and final birdie of the day at the 15th to finish at nine under for the tournament.
The sixth hole was a popular one over the three rounds for all the players, and Irish duo Tim Rice and Paul O’Hanlon both picked up eagles there on the way to finishing tied for fourth place at seven under. Rice (Limerick) picked up five birdies in his four under par 67, while O’Hanlon (Curragh) also eagled the tenth before three bogeys down the back reduced him to a round of 69. Elliot Saltman (Aegon) joined the Irishmen in fourth spot, matching O’Hanlon’s eagle at ten in a one under par round of 70. Younger brother Zack (Aegon) began the day at six under par like Elliot, but shot a 74 to finish back in a tie for 15th at three under.

Thorpe (Peterborough Milton) went into the final round with a one shot lead overnight ahead of playing partner Keenan and eventual runner-up Evans. Thorpe suffered an early blow after bogeying the second hole, but he remained in the hunt at the last thanks to birdies at the sixth, ninth and 15th to sit one stroke behind Keenan at 18. But Thorpe took an eight at the last after finding the water with his tee shot and dropped down to six under for the tournament.

Three players joined Thorpe at seven under – James Busby (The Shropshire) and Brian McElhinney (Team Ireland) both carded 70s while James Freeman (Worksop GC) was level in his final round.

FINAL SCORES
1 Ian Keenan -11 202 65, 70, 67
2 Justin Evans -10 203 69, 66, 68
3 Daniel Belch -9 204 69, 69, 66
=4 Tim Rice -7 206 67, 72, 67
=4 Paul O'Hanlon -7 206 70, 67, 69
=4 Elliot Saltman -7 206 67, 69, 70
=7 James Busby -6 207 69, 68, 70
=7 Brian McElhinney -6 207 67, 70, 70
=7 James Freeman -6 207 66, 70, 71
=7 Andrew Thorpe -6 207 69, 65, 73

May 2010

Castle Dargan Tees off With A Prestigious Round of The EuroPro Tour, June 2010

Castle Dargan Golf Hotel & Spa

Castle Dargan Golf-Hotel and Wellness Resort together with the PGA EuroPro Tour are delighted to announce that Castle Dargan Golf Club will host a round of the prestigious tournament in June 2010.
The Darren Clarke-designed course is a new venue on the 2010 EuroPro Tour calendar. This year’s players will tackle the course from the 2nd – 4th of June with the build up during the week to include a Pro Am on Tuesday 1st June
“Castle Dargan are delighted to be involved with the PGA EuroPro Tour and are really looking forward to hosting the showcase for up-and-coming national and international professional golfers,” said Noel Conlon, general manager at Castle Dargan Golf-Hotel and Wellness Resort. “The Darren Clarke designed course will provide a stern test for all the players, especially with its numerous risk and reward holes. Castle Dargan has hosted a number of GUI competitions and we look forward to adding the PGA EuroPro Tour to that list.”
“Castle Dargan is a great addition to the 2010 PGA EuroPro Tour schedule,” said Danny Nickless, operations manager of the Tour. “We are always looking to expose the players to new and exciting courses and Castle Dargan fits the bill perfectly – a challenging course in a fantastic setting.”

For more information or to find out how you can book your place on the Pro Am, please contact the Golf Services Team on 071 911 8080 or email, golf@casltedargan.com

Our thanks to our EuroPro Tour Sponsors:

Sligo Golf Course, Castle Dargan “Star for the future” moves into top 100 of Irish Golf Courses

Castle Dargan Golf Resort, the Darren Clarke designed championship golf course in the North West Of Ireland has been catapulted into the top 100 golf courses of Ireland ranked by Golf Digest 2009.

This is a superb achievement for the Castle Dargan team as the course is only 1 of 7 new entrants to break into the top 100 and is the highest ranked new golf resort in the country. For a course of just two years old that is still maturing, it is a tremendous accomplishment for all the team at Castle Dargan and its designers.

Commenting on the Course Design Darren Clarke said, “My objective in designing the course was to do justice to the scenic landscape of the estate and create a course that would offer a test for golfers of all abilities. The natural tumbling terrain we had to work with very much dictated the design and allowed us to create some truly special golf holes.”

The ranking places Castle Dargan in the top fifth (20%) of all golf courses in Ireland.

Commenting Further Darren said “I am delighted with what we have achieved at Castle Dargan. It really has exceeded my expectations and it is a club I am proud to be a part of. Castle Dargan reflects everything I love about the game”.

The Golf Digest panel of eight led by Dermot Gilleece, editor of Golf Digest Ireland, recognised that the course has fashioned pedigree parkland with a linksy twist, and laid down a challenge for all. When Designing Darren used the natural ebb and flow of the setting and interwoven holes of daring and beauty. The panel commented that Castle Dargan is a “star of the future” for Golf in Ireland and is sure to climb further in the years to come.

General Manager of Castle Dargan, Golf, Hotel and Wellness Resort, Noel Conlon said, “This is a superb testimony to the owners of the resort and to our members, for our course to move into the top 100 in only its second year is a fantastic achievement. When you look across the Island of Ireland and the cost of playing at new courses, we are proud to be able to provide golfers an affordable and now recognised course”.

€1 Million Golf Green Fee Giveaway with Martin Reilly Motors & Castle Dargan Resort

Martin Reilly BMW Motors in Carraroe Co. Sligo have teamed up with Castle Dargan Resort in
Ballygawley Co. Sligo to launch an incredible €1 Million Green Fee Giveaway at the
Darren Clarke designed Championship Golf Course.

Last Saturday saw the launch of the joint promotion in the stunning surrounds of Castle Dargan Hotel where BMW owners and Golf enthusiasts alike mingled in the October sunshine to admire
the BMW x6 xDrive 30d and the new BMW 3 Series in addition to reviewing the excellent Golf
facilities on site.

Martin Reilly Managing Director of Martin Reilly BMW Motors expressed his delight and being
in a position to offer such a fantastic promotion to his new and existing customers and
furthering his great relationship with Castle Dargan. Castle Dargan’s
General Manager Noel Conlon remarked that he was thrilled with the BMW association, as
to have two prestigious brands teaming up for this unique offer is great news for both customers and clients alike.

Martin Reilly BMW and Castle Dargan are offering €30,000 worth of Free Green Fees to the
first 35 customer to place an order for a new BMW for 2009. With January fast approaching,
and the fantastic range of new 09 BMW’s available to order, this amazing offer should not
only strike a cord with all golf enthusiasts but everyone wishing to become a BMW customer,
as the Green Fees are completely transferable and would make a superb gift for any friend client or family member.

The Darren Clarke Golf Course at Castle Dargan consists of eighteen majestic holes
that sweep through the romantic 170-acre estate. As well as the breathtaking golf course,
the impressive club facilities include luxurious locker rooms, a spectacular bar and terrace serving great food and drink and a dedicated customer service team.

In addition to the Darren Clarke Golf Course, the estate also includes unsurpassed
accommodation facilities; spectacular Restaurant the Hall Door @ Castle Dargan & the
Luxurious Icon spa, which was recently nominated in the Top 5 Destination Spa’s of Ireland.

The Martin Reilly BMW & Castle Dargan Offer is full swing with orders already in,
the team at Martin Reilly look forward to discussing the offer and can be
contacted on 071 91 69099