This article is from page 14 of the 2006-05-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
THE second phase of the €130 million Doonbeg Golf Club project will be officially opened tomorrow.
The opening of the lodge, clubhouse, spa and suites is the culmination of a construction project which began in May 2004.
At the height of the season, it’s expected that Doonbeg will employ 220 people between full-time and part-time staff.
This is the development of the first phase of the physical infrastructure designed to complement the award winning links golf course designed by Greg Norman.
The course, which opened in July 2002, was selected as the Best New International Course of 2002 by Golf Digest.
This phase of the building project has seen the construction of the Lodge, the clubhouse and the interconnected accommodation in the Garden, Norman and Courtyard Suites.
The Lodge building, which is the centrepiece of the entire development, looks out over the first tee and the 18th green.
It contains 15 luxury suites, dining facilities, bars and a state-ofthe-art spa.
The Garden, Norman and Courtyard Suites which are connected to the Lodge and the clubhouse by a series of interconnected courtyards contain a further 32 luxury suites.
All but three of the suites have been sold in advance of opening. While the suites are privately owned, they are leased back to Doonbeg and form a bank of accommodation available.
The official opening will be performed by Buddy Darby, the chairman and CEO of Kiawah Development Partners KDP, the company behind the Doonbeg project.
Shannon Development today welcomed the opening of the club.
The development agency initiated the idea of a large scale integrated golf development at Doonbeg in 1995, “as part of the company’s strategy to develop integrated tourism projects of scale with the potential to have far reaching economic benefits throughout the Shannon Region and the western seaboard,” a spokesman said.
“Shannon Development identified the land bank required for the project, and working closely with local community and landowners we secured the 377 acre site,” he added.
The development company undertook an extensive prior consultation process with all relevant bodies which dealt with environmental and planning issues.
“KDP have succeeded in achieving an exceptionally high standard and quality facility at the Lodge which gives the area a five star facility which is unique in the country,” the spokesman said.
To celebrate the opening, the golf club is staging a fireworks display in Doonbeg village this Saturday.
The display will take place at the bridge on the way into Doonbeg at around 11pm. Everyone is welcome.