PADRAIG HARRINGTON CHOOSES SPECTACULAR CLONMEL LOCATION

FOR FIRST COURSE DESIGN

Recent Irish Open winner Padraig Harrington, pictured right, has chosen the spectacular location of The Marlbrook, Clonmel in Co. Tipperary to design his first golf course.
Set in the heart of the Golden Vale, The Marlbrook is a 500-acre 18th century parkland estate overlooking the picturesque River Suir.
This historic estate provides the majestic backdrop for what will be a stunning golf course that is set amongst some of the largest oak trees in Ireland.

Designed to appeal to golfers of all levels, Padraig's philosophy has been to integrate the golf course into the sylvan parkland of The Marlbrook resting near the foot of Slievenamon.

A state-of-the-art clubhouse with stunning views of the course and River Suir will be located overlooking the first tee and 18th green.
"I have been looking for the perfect location for my first golf course design and I found it at The Marlbrook. With its beautiful specimen trees and superb views of the River Suir, I knew we could create something special," said Padraig Harrington.

Director of Golf at The Marlbrook will be Kate MacCann who has previously worked for 15 years in the same role at Mount Juliet, Co. Kilkenny. A limited number of golf memberships are being released today.

Members will pay a refundable deposit of 15,000 Euros in addition to an annual subscription.

Central to The Marlbrook is Marlfield House which was built by Colonel John Bagwell in the late 1700s.

Opening in 2009, The Marlbrook hotel will be centred around this beautiful Georgian country house and will include 70 bedrooms, leisure facilities including the Padraig Harrington designed golf course, a magnificent ballroom and a private spa.

A stunning centre-piece feature of the property will be the 19th century Richard Turner-designed conservatory, acknowledged as one of his best existing works.

Well known hotelier Adriaan Bartels, former general manager of the Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare, Co. Kerry, has also joined the team as general manager of the hotel.

In addition, The Marlbrook will feature a number of privately owned homes on the estate, ranging in size from 2,100 sq ft to 2,600 sq ft which have been designed by renowned conservation architects, Murray O'Laoire.

A limited number of homes will be released later this year and enquiries are now being taken by Savills Hamilton Osborne King, Cork and Tom Pollard/Property Partners, Clonmel.

The Marlbrook was bought by the Clonmel-based Kent family in the early 1980s and will managed by John Kent.

"My family have known for a very long time that The Marlbrook is a special place. I think that it is only fitting that someone of Padraig's calibre will be crafting this beautiful piece of Irish countryside into his first golf course design," said John Kent.