kilkenny golf club

asimonov

i am a member of kilkenny golf club, but love playing (and rating) other courses as well. Has anyone played kilkenny on green fees?? and if so what did you think?

PhilipMarlowe

I'm local to the course but not a member. I get to play it a few times in the year and it's always a pleasure.... the greens are excellent and took me a while to get used to them... plenty of undulations.
The first is a hard opener, I like the short par 4 5th hole (drove the green last time out).
I hate the par 5 9th... some great holes on the back 9... the par 3's are generally difficult.. the 18th is a bit of a weakness IMO... I'd prefer the 18th to be the opening hole, giving a gentler start

asimonov

Licksy, thanks for the good feedback - i agree the 18th not the greatest finish in the world is it? As a member of kk, of course i like the course, the greens are top class - but sometimes i think its a little dull - especially when compared to castlecomer or gowran.

it lacks a signature hole or maybe some water - but maybe we're all so used to brand new courses that are designed to within an inch of their lives you get complacent with the old style courses like kk.

IMO, the biggest downfall with kk is the demographic of the members - seems to be plenty of juniors and plenty of seniors - just not that many inbetween!

lotie

I know that this thread is a little old now but hoping to use to find out some info on Kilkenny GC membership!

I moved to Kilkenny a couple of years ago and now am looking to join a course and I like Kilkenny and hear its very well maintained.

Two questions that somebody might help me on:
- is Kilkenny open for membership (is there still a waiting period) and what is the joining fee?
- is it true that the club is planning major course renovations/changes?

I like Gowran also but like member ownership and Kilkenny is more convenient to me?

Any advice?

PhilipMarlowe

Just so you know, I am a member of Gowran and live very near to Kilkenny Golf Club (though not a member there).

Kilkenny has a waiting list... joining fee (was/is?) in the region of €3k+ with annual subs around the 800 mark or thereabouts.
Gowran now has no joining fee so about 850 sub including gui fee etc all in.

Kilkenny is always very well maintained in my experience but I prefer the design of Gowran... more drama to it.

I know Kilkenny had some plans for change - I thinks I saw a sketch on Jeff Howes site before? - but I wouldn't be expecting much to happen there. The location of their carpark , clubhouse and first hole had/has real estate value and this may have been a driver for change but I don't know of any real plans.
Your best bet would be to speak to their secretary/manager to find out first hand!

Trampas

I know a few members of Kilkenny and there is still a waiting list (couple of years) to get in and entrance fee also.

I don't think they have any problems with cash flow either.

Always in great nick when I play it.

Greens can be fast but always good.

Maybe enquire about waiting times and then take it from there

rednik

Have played both many times in the past and think both are fine courses. Kilkenny has a great atmosphere in the club whereas Gowran is so vast it lacks the atmosphere but both courses have their own challenges and are both great value for green fees.

heavyballs

my mate is a member,played about 10 times last year,like it a lot,real old style course,although i'd have to say given the choice i'd pick Gowran over it every time,more variety.
I wouldn't say the bar etc has a great atmosphere,bit snobby i thought

Nerdstrom

Iv never played it but i hear the scratch cup is good, with a good field. Anyone know its 2010 date?? how many holes etc??

Ill probably play it this yr.

heavyballs

too lazy to get date but it's a 36 holer

jimjo

Licksy, you more than likely answered this question before but does Gowran, like Navan, close on race days? If so does it cause much annoyance among members?

Didn't know Jeff Howes was involved in the design, normally a good sign, I dont suppose he ever knocks about now, like one day a year to see the courses progress?

PhilipMarlowe

Nerdstrom wrote: »

Iv never played it but i hear the scratch cup is good, with a good field. Anyone know its 2010 date?? how many holes etc??

Ill probably play it this yr.

The senior scratch was on mid May in 2009, 36 holes on one day (misreable, wet Saturday 16th). A couple of people on here played it... paulusmaximus had back-to-back eagles there in a back nine of 31 (bogey on 18) if I remember? I think level par won it... +1 and -1, great score in the conditions. Greens were fast and the place was in great order but the weather was a pity.
The junior scratch was on early July - the same day as the junior in Carlow which was kind of stupid I thought.

PhilipMarlowe

jimjo wrote: »

Licksy, you more than likely answered this question before but does Gowran, like Navan, close on race days? If so does it cause much annoyance among members?

Didn't know Jeff Howes was involved in the design, normally a good sign, I dont suppose he ever knocks about now, like one day a year to see the courses progress?

Gowran closes on race days. Only some of the holes are within the track - 5 holes are fully inside and two par 3's tee off outside the track with the greens inside.
You can play a 9 hole loop in the morning on the holes outside the track so long as you are finished before the racing starts 10-15 and 6-8 I think... have never bothered to be honest.

I've seen Jeff Howes around alright though I don't know how often. Certainly when they were lining one of the lakes he was involved.

Nerdstrom

Thanks for the info Licksy, I'll give it a bash this yr.

lotie

Thanks All, very informative. I don't really want to pay an entrance fee and I really to do love the layout of Gowran so you've got me leaning in that direction!

While Kilkenny would be handy (the kids do lots of stuff in Kilkenny) the new motorway will mean Gowran is a real option (I live near the Knocktpher exit of the new motorway).

For those of you that know Gowran: have the members enough say in how it's maintained and is it consistently maintained to the standard you want - i have to say I've found it in good condition the few times I've played it.