Irish Open Early Preview

The location of this year’s Irish Open is set to present a unique and exciting challenge to all of its competitors. Although this is not a links course, it was designed to look, feel and play like one. Often described as an “inland links”, Colin Montgomerie let his traditional golfing preferences shine through when designing this course.

When: June 27th -30th 2013
Where: Carton House, Co.Kildare
Course: Montgomerie Course
Par: 72

For the amateur golfer, the biggest test this course presents comes in the form of strategically placed pot bunkers, which can put a hole in your scorecard quite quickly. The locations of these bunkers force you to second-guess yourself right off the tee. Some holes are smarter approached with an iron, leaving you short on the fairway but out of harms way, rather than attacking with a wood and risking a sandy second shot.

One thing is for sure, and that is, no two holes on this course are the same.

With a capacity audience for all four days at last years open, which was held in Royal Portrush, this year organizers are expecting no different as the biggest four names in Irish Golf have all confirmed their participation.

With three majors champions (McIlroy, Harrington and McDowell) and the next Ryder Cup captain (McGinley) all taking part, Irish golf enthusiast will no doubt witness a display of golf at its best. Shane Lowry cannot go without mention either, winning the Irish open as an Amateur back in 2009 and having a very impressive number of performances so far this year, including the WGC Accenture matchplay tournament.

Carton House has already hosted the Irish Open back in 2005 and 2006. Some of the best to ever play the game have won this open in the past including Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam and the course designer of this year’s location, Colin Montgomerie.

If you are planning a trip across to the emerald isle for the Irish Open, this year’s location is perfect. The grounds of Carton House are located in Maynooth, Co.Kildare which is only a 30-minute drive from Dublin, and, just 3 minutes down the road we come to Leixslip, where reportedly, the first pint of Guinness was ever poured.

Now, if you feel like you want to play while you are here aswell, depending on how much time you have, there are a number of Irish golf vacation packages to choose from. Experience a unique “Links” challenge in the southwest, or try your hand at championship parkland locations on the east coast, perfect for the week leading up to or following the Irish Open.

Tickets for the event are very reasonably priced. One day admission for an adult (Thurs-Sun) costs €31. Admission for under 16 year olds is free when accompanied by an adult. Seniors tickets (age 60+) is €21. Please note that if you plan on visiting for all four days, a season ticket can be purchased for the price of €71(this also includes the pro-am on the Wednesday).