The Kildare Hotel and Country Club : From Vision to Reality

The K Club, located in Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland, is one of the most prestigious golf resorts in the country. The estate’s history dates back to 1831 when Hugh Barton of the wine firm Barton and Guestier purchased the land and built Straffan House, modeled after a French chateau. Undeterred by its curse and goullish tales (“Strongbow bestowed the lands on an ancestor of the Duke of Leinster in the 13th Century and among its subsequent owners were Hugh Barton of the Bordeaux wine label; Thunderball and Never Say Never Again 007 producer Kevin McClory; the late millionaire builder Patrick Gallagher who was jailed in Belfast for fraud; and an apparatchik of the Shah of Iran, who is said to have met a grisly end, however, nobody seems altogether sure of his true fate, as he has been clinically eliminated from the estate’s official history” Source: Magill Magazine), the 550 acre estate was acquired by the Jefferson Smurfit Group in 1988 for €3.5m, which transformed it into The K Club. In 2005 Michael Smurfit and Gerry Gannon, the fedora wearing property developer from Roscommon, bought the K Club for €115m from Jefferson Smurfit when Madison Dearborn acquired the packaging company. In 2012 Michael Smurfit bought Gannon’s 49% stake for €40m as part of Nama’s involvement with the Gannon’s Development Group. In 2020, Michael Fetherston purchased the resort, ushering in a new era of revitalization and investment.

The K Club officially opened in 1991, featuring two championship golf courses designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer. The joining fee was €260,000 and an annual subscription of €6,950 (By 2006 the joining fees were €80,000 and €6,000 annual subscription). International membership cost $25,000 sign-up plus an annual subscription of €1,350 was limited to 125 places. Both the Palmer North and Palmer South courses were designed by Arnold Palmer, one of golf’s most iconic figures. The K Club is renowned for its challenging courses. The Palmer North Course, also known as the Ryder Cup Course, is a par 72 that stretches 7,350 yards from the championship tees. The Palmer South Course, designed as an inland links, is also a par 72 and measures 7,277 yards. Both courses feature strategic bunkering, water hazards, and undulating greens, providing a stern test for golfers of all skill levels. The Palmer North Course is famous for its 16th hole, a par five that measures nearly 600 yards and features a double dogleg with numerous hazards, including trees, water, and bunkers. The Palmer South Course is noted for its picturesque and challenging layout, with the River Liffey coming into play on several holes. Overall, The K Club offers a world-class golfing experience set in a historic and luxurious estate. Its challenging courses, designed by Arnold Palmer, and its rich history make it a must-visit destination for golf enthusiasts.