A welcome to Mount Juliet Estate from Mark Dunne, General Manager Mount Juliet Estate.
Mount Juliet Estate is delighted and honoured to host the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open 2021, in this, our 30th anniversary of golf on the Estate. The Mount Juliet Estate Jack Nicklaus signature design championship golf course has enjoyed a prestigious position within the Irish golf landscape since welcoming our very first golfers in 1991. 2021 will be an unforgettable year in our history and we are really looking forward to welcoming competitors and spectators to our beautiful 500-acre estate for a safe and enjoyable tournament!
Over these past 30 years Mount Juliet Estate has welcomed the world’s leading golfers and tournaments. In 1993, 1994 and 1995, Mount Juliet Estate provided the backdrop for Ireland’s national open, won by world renowned golfers, Sir Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, and Sam Torrance, respectively. Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf came to Mount Juliet Estate 1997, won by Fred Couples. The American Express World Golf Championships (WGC) were held in 2002 returning in 2004. Tiger Woods was the 2002 winner, beating Retief Goosen – who shares the Mount Juliet Estate course record with Sergio Garcia – by one stroke, while Ernie Els won the 2004 edition, beating European Tour legend Thomas Bjørn by one shot. This year, we hope to set new record while hosting The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
Our Jack Nicklaus signature design golf course has been expertly maintained over the past 30 years, offering competitors a challenging and enjoyable golfing experience. To complement this, we have redeveloped our PGA Golf Academy repositioning it as a world class amenity. We have redesigned the facilities, coaching and services to allow all levels of golfer to improve their game. The upgrade programme included a new custom fit experience with Callaway, Taylormade and Ping. Private fitting spaces with access to our Trackman and SkyTrak simulators, available all year round at the Estate under the expert direction of our Director of Golf and Fellow PGA Professional Matt Sandercock assisted by his team of Sean Cotter Resident PGA Professional and Brian Doheny PGA Coach.
We are continuing this journey of improvement across Mount Juliet Estate having recently completed a multi-million euro refurbishment programme of our Health & Fitness Club which included our 17 metre pool, thermal suite area and our fitness suite complete with state-of-the-art gym which is now equipped with the latest Matrix cardio, strength, and conditioning equipment for our guests to enjoy. We have recently opened our newly refurbished Meetings At The Loft conference centre, featuring the latest Zoom Room video conferencing technology and world class meeting room facilities.
In addition to the superior golfing facilities, Mount Juliet Estate boasts two outstanding five-star hotels, the contemporary Hunters Yard and the Georgian Manor House. The Hunters Yard newly opened in 2018, features a contemporary interior redesign with the latest technology and comforts discerning travellers expect, all encapsulated in a modern hotel that captures the character of the original stable buildings. The Georgian Manor House provides that classic luxury that transports guests to a bygone era of stately home style.
The exceptional culinary team at Mount Juliet Estate is headed by our Executive Chefs, Cormac McCreary and John Kelly. Our Lady Helen led by John Kelly is one of only two restaurants in Ireland to be awarded four AA Rosettes and a Michelin star. New to our culinary team at Mount Juliet, Chef Cormac McCreary has created new steakhouse experience at The Hound in Hunters Yard which boasts two AA Rosettes and Michelin Plate awarded for its contemporary, fresh perspective on fine dining.
Mount Juliet Estate is a world class five-star estate, where we have curated a true Irish country house experience for competitors and spectators to enjoy during this great moment in Mount Juliet Estate’s sporting history.
I would like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment shown by the Mount Juliet Estate team, with the support of European Tour, to ensure the success of the 2021 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. I would like to sincerely thank everyone and wish all the competitors the best of luck for what promises to be a very competitive homecoming tournament for Ireland and the world’s most talented golfers.
Mark Dunne, General Manager Mount Juliet Estate.
