FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Theresa Martin
Doonbeg Golf Club
PO Box 12001
Charleston, SC 29422
O: 843-768-5220
F: 843-768-5727
theresa_martin@doonbeggolfclub.com

PRESS RELEASE

Doonbeg Golf Club Strengthens
Ireland's Stature as a Luxury Destination

Discriminating golfers have long regarded southwest Ireland and such bastions as Ballybunion and Lahinch as "must play" destinations on any European golf trip. Until recently, however, Ireland was often not a top-of-mind choice for non-golfing luxury travelers. The Emerald Isle, with its miles of rolling countryside, quaint villages and abundance of bed and breakfasts, seemed better positioned as a rustic retreat than as a mecca for urban vacationers.

With the opening of Doonbeg Golf Club's new clubhouse, Lodge, suites, and cottages, aficionados who once may have overlooked Ireland on their preferred European itineraries have another reason to reconsider a visit to the island country also known as Hibernia.

"We have long viewed Ireland as not only a world-class golf destination but also a top-tier destination for non-golfing travelers," notes Charles P. "Buddy" Darby, III, chairman and CEO of Kiawah Development Partners, parent company of Doonbeg Golf Club. "The country's rich history, cultural diversity and natural attractions offer countless options for even the most finicky traveler. Since we began the Doonbeg project six years ago, our goal has been to complement Ireland's myriad amenities with an unparalleled level of product excellence and a healthy dose of 5-star service."

Ireland's transformation into a sophisticated tourist destination is linked, in part, to the country's emergence as an economic power and its growing stature as part of the European Union. Anchored by the bustling city of Dublin, Ireland's offerings range from trendy shopping and gourmet dining to world-class music, theater and art. Natural attractions include The Burren, a vast limestone grassland, and the Cliffs of Moher, a magnificent range of seaside cliffs, as well as hundreds of miles of coastline that surrounds the country. Bolstering the Emerald Isle's cosmopolitan atmosphere are chic clubs and cyber cafes, numerous sporting events and countless outdoor activities, including more than 400 links and parkland golf courses.

While cultural and natural amenities attract visitors, the cornerstone of any luxury travel experience is the accommodations. Understandably, the highest concentration of five-star properties are in and around Dublin, including the Four Seasons, Luttrelstown Castle and Merrion Hotel. Next year, Ireland's capital city will also be home to the new Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, County Wicklow.

In addition to Dublin's offerings, luxurious accommodations are sprinkled across the Irish countryside, quite often in the form of castles and historic manor houses that have been converted to resorts or conference centers. Sheens Fall Lodge, the former summer residence of the Marquis of Lansdowne, now operates as a 66-room hotel nestled among 300 acres of woodlands near Kenmare. Newer, yet no less opulent, properties include the Killarney Park Hotel in County Kerry, which boasts a 3,000-square-foot spa and is widely recognized as one of the most luxurious hotels in Europe, as well as the Hayfield Manor Hotel, a 10-year-old hotel that seeks to re-create the feel of a large period house while affording modern conveniences.

When it comes to havens for the most luxurious golf escapes in Ireland, aficionados often look to Adare Manor, Dromoland Castle, and Mount Juliet. Set amid 840 acres of formal gardens and rolling countryside, the Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort features an 18th century manor house that has been transformed into a luxury resort replete with a parkland-style course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Dromoland Castle, which traces its ownership to Gaelic Irish families of royal heritage, now serves as a stately resort and conference center that showcases a course just three years removed from a major renovation at the hands of Ron Kirby and J.B. Carr. Meanwhile, the architecturally robust Mount Juliet House boasts 32 guest rooms and Ireland's sole Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, which has played host to the Irish Open on three occasions.

For all of its rich golf and lodging options, one offering that has remained noticeably absent from Ireland's repertoire are world-class accommodations and a genuine links golf experience. The Lodge at Doonbeg Golf Club fills that void and establishes the club among the country's elite luxury destinations.

"The official opening of the Lodge marks a turning point in the life of Doonbeg," Darby notes. "Our vision of creating a world-class links experience complemented by a superior lodging component has been transformed from a dream into reality."

Located adjacent to the Greg Norman-designed golf course, The Lodge at Doonbeg Golf Club is comprised of the Lodge, the Garden House Suites, the Courtyard Suites, the Norman Suites, and the Cottages. The Lodge houses the Doonbeg member clubhouse and 15 Lodge Suites, ranging in size from one to four bedrooms. The clubhouse portion of the Lodge building encompasses a formal dining room that faces the ocean and overlooks the No. 18 green; a members' bar overlooking the Atlantic; a spa with steam rooms, sauna, whirlpool, showers and fitness room; and men's and women's locker rooms for club members.

Several of the Lodge Suites are located on the ground floor of the Lodge, while the remaining Suites are situated on the first and second floors. Eleven of 15 Lodge Suites feature unique floor plans, and many overlook the ocean, the No. 1 tees, and No. 18 green.

The two adjoining buildings, which enclose a flower-filled courtyard, house six Garden House Suites and seven Norman Suites, respectively. These Suites offer vistas of the garden, the Skivileen River and pasture lands beside the Club.

The 17 Links Cottages located just before the entrance to the Lodge are larger than the suites and a bit more private. Some cottages stand alone, while others are joined as pairs. The Links Cottages boast views of the fairways and countryside and are all 4 bedrooms.

In total, Doonbeg features 56 Suites and the Links Cottages. The overall design of Doonbeg is based on a "village" concept, with the cottages laid out at different elevations along the entranceway to the course. The Lodge will be set near the No. 1 tee box and No. 18 green to maximize views of the Atlantic.

To reflect the architecture of Ireland, The Lodge at Doonbeg Golf Club and the collection of Suites draw inspiration from Irish country houses. The roofs are all rough-hewn dark slates, and exteriors are made of local stone and render.

"Like the Doonbeg course itself, we've designed the Lodge to appear as though it's been woven within the fabric of the local community for years," Darby says. "Our plan is to combine a friendly, relaxed country house atmosphere with an unparalleled level of service."

The architects are Campbell Conroy Hickey Partnership Architects of Dublin, with John Haley of Charleston, South Carolina, serving as the lead design team member. The general contractor is John Paul Construction Limited of Dublin. The interiors have been co-designed by CLR Design Associates of Dublin and Jacquelynne P. Lanham and Norman Askins of Atlanta, Georgia.

Highlighting the Doonbeg experience is Norman's links masterpiece. Etched along 1.5 miles of crescent-shaped beach encircling Doughmore Bay in southwest Ireland, the links course incorporates ocean vistas from the green, fairway or tee on 16 of the 18 holes. Norman employed a "least disturbance" philosophy in routing the course around the marram-grass dunes, as 14 of Doonbeg's greens and 12 of its fairways were simply mowed.

"If I spent the rest of my life building courses, I don't think I'd find a comparable site anywhere," Norman says. "It's spectacular, land made by God."

Doonbeg Golf Club is a private club with limited visitor access to golf and accommodation upon availability. Membership is by invitation only; inquiries are entertained. Contact Theresa Martin at 843-768-5220 or email theresa_martin@doonbeggolfclub.com for additional information.

KDP is the master developer of Kiawah Island, a 10,000-acre sea island located 21 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina. In addition to Doonbeg Golf Club, the company's affiliates include Kiawah Island Real Estate; The Kiawah Island Club, which encompasses the Tom Fazio-designed River Course, the Tom Watson-designed Cassique Golf Course, the Beach Club, and Sasanqua, the members-only spa; and Freshfields Village.