Els Involved in New Kinsale Course


Ernie Els will bring his touch to the €200 million Kinsale Harbour Resort by designing a signature 18-hole championship course at this new development near Kinsale, County Cork in Ireland. The course, which takes its name from a historical local landmark, will be known as Hangman’s Point. It will sprawl across 260 acres at a spectacular location overlooking the Celtic Sea and offer breathtaking views of the Kinsale coastline. Hangman’s Point will be a designated PGA course managed by PGA Golf Management.

The decision to have Els become the designer reinforces the size and significant investment being spent on the resort, as well as its importance in hosting major international events in the future.

Commenting on his task, Ernie said, “This is truly a fantastic opportunity to combine a passion for the game in Ireland together with my team’s design talents. It also marks a debut for my team at Ernie Els Design in Ireland, and this exciting new international golf resort means that I shall be able to spend more time in this spectacular part of the world.

“In designing the links course we plan to follow the existing and natural contours of the site, which was previously Kinsale racecourse and reputed to be one of the oldest golf courses in Ireland. I am really looking forward to working with everyone involved in order to transform our joint vision into a golfing reality”, he added.

In addition to the course, there will be a golf academy staffed by PGA professionals. The training facility will help in the development of the game for the local community.

The golf operations will be managed and promoted by PGA Golf Management. The company will be responsible for the setup, operation and promotion of Hangman’s Point.

Announcing the latest developments in the Kinsale Harbour Resort project, John O’Donoghue, TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism said, “The combination of Ernie Els and PGA contributing to this fantastic course is a great boon for the tourism industry in Ireland, and will complement our existing international golf offering.

“I look forward also to the creation of a whole new breed of professional Irish golf players passing through the golf academy, along with the many amateur players, both local and international, who will thrive under the PGA’s tutelage.”

Sandy Jones, chief executive of the PGA said, “We are delighted to be involved in this magnificent new golf development. Awarding the PGA’s name to the proposed course at Kinsale also marks a major step forward in the expansion and development of the PGA brand into Ireland. It enables us to add our traditional heritage and expertise to fulfil the vision of being at the forefront of the game in Ireland, in a modern and dynamic way.”

Kinsale Harbour Resort is a collaboration between Cork-based XCES Projects, Hyatt International, the PGA and PGA Golf Management. It will be Ireland’s first Integrated Tourism facility, and will occupy a 650-acre site near Kinsale, County Cork. The project will create an initial 350 full-time positions directly involved in the operation of the resort, with an estimated 450 indirect jobs to be created in the local area. Another 300 jobs will be involved in the three-year construction phase, estimated to cost €160 million.

“Partners such as Ernie Els, the PGA and PGAGM represent the best in the golf arena,” said Carlos D’Avilez, project director of XCES Projects. “We are proud to be working with these names since the concept behind Kinsale Harbour Resort was to present a premium project, the like of which was unseen in Ireland before. In presenting such a concept, our intent was that every aspect of this project was designed to strategically fit with the offering in the area, complementing rather than overshadowing it. Kinsale Harbour Resort is an integrated tourism facility for all uses, and we hope to attract golfers and visitors from around the world and from the local community.”

Besides the course and golf academy, the project will include:

· 200-room, 5-Star deluxe Hyatt Hotel and Holiday resort lodges with conference facilities and a destination spa.

· International-standard indoor and outdoor equestrian complex, together with a 500-seater indoor arena capable of hosting international events.

Hyatt will be the overall resort operator, including the equestrian facility and clubhouse catering. PGA Golf Management will operate, maintain and promote all golf relations facilities on the site including the clubhouse operations.

Kinsale Harbour Resort will be Hyatt International’s first venture in Ireland and Hyatt International will be the first major hotel operator to locate in the Southwest region of the country. Kinsale Harbour will more than double the stock of five-star accommodations in Cork.

XCES Projects has set up a toll-free number (800/242-480) for inquiries, and is distributing an information sheet throughout the local area.