PADRAIG HARRINGTON UNVEILS THE MARLAY PUTTING GREEN TO THE PUBLIC

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington officially launched the Marlay Putting Green in Dublin today, a family focused golf facility which is now open to the public. This new free public amenity aims to attract new audiences to golf and provide a place for everyone to meet and have fun.

The Marlay Putting Green is located in Dublin’s Marlay Park beside the new Boules Court and has been designed to provide an enjoyable golfing experience for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. The putting green has been constructed in a sustainable manner to conserve resources and can be easily accessed from all parts of the Park.

Councillor Mary Hanafin, Cathaoirleach at Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said:
“Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is dedicated to maintaining and developing the very best in publicly accessible sports and leisure facilities to the citizens of the county and is very proud of this new partnership with Padraig Harrington, one of Ireland’s greatest sports stars. We look forward to welcoming all ages and abilities to the Marlay Putting Green.”

Harrington worked closely with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, who provided the site and will manage and operate the green. John Clarkin’s team at Turfgrass® provided their expertise in construction and agronomy and worked alongside Atlantic Golf Construction in the build of the putting green. The project was funded by the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation together with the assistance of a golf development grant from The R&A, and also a grant from Golf Ireland, supported by Sport Ireland’s special projects scheme.

This is a consolidation of philanthropic teamwork, as highlighted by Padraig Harrington:

“I am thrilled to announce the opening of the Marlay Putting Green. It has been amazing to see this project come to fruition, and I am so pleased the people of Dublin will be able experience golf in a fun and family focused setting. My aim for this project has always been to create an affordable and accessible facility which is designed for all ages and golf abilities at no cost. I’ve always wanted to give back to the community and find a way to introduce the game of golf to all generations.”

Harrington added,

“I would like to extend a special thank you to the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and it’s Parks team, John Clarkin and his team at Turfgrass®, Anthony Bennett and the team at Atlantic Golf Construction, as well as all the contractors and suppliers who have also offered their time and services for free or at preferential rates. I would also like to thank The R&A, as well as Golf Ireland and Sport Ireland, for their generous grants which have made this project possible, in addition to my sponsors, Wilson and Titleist for the supply of putters and golf balls.”

Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said:

“We are immensely proud of our partnership with Padraig Harrington and this new world class local facility at Marlay Park. This is a state of the art, unique putting course covering 3000 square metres and we look forward to bringing the game of golf to a new generation and a new audience”.

John Clarkin from Turfgrass® commented,

“We are delighted to offer our services and participate in this community inspired project with Padraig, one that will hopefully encourage a new generation to get involved in and experience the fun side of golf. The putting green will be six times the size of an average green and incorporates various undulations which will provide some fun hole locations.”

Marlay Putting Green Opening Hours
The Marlay Putting Green will open to the public on Saturday 22nd April at 10.30am. In order to protect the Green during the initial two months when grass growth is low and ground conditions are unpredictable due to weather, we have to limit play to approximately 700 rounds per week spread over 6 days. The numbers will increase over the summer, as ground conditions and grass growth improves. To find out more about the new Putting Green, click here.

ENDS

For media queries please contact:
Padraig Harrington contact michele.mair@img.com
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council contact commsoffice@dlrcoco.ie
Notes for Editors:

About the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation –

Padraig established the Foundation in 2004 to provide financial assistance to deserving beneficiaries throughout Ireland and the rest of the world.

For more information, please visit www.padraigharrington.com

*Council works with world renowned golfer to create 3000sqm putting course at Marlay Pk

*Three-time major winner’s Charitable Foundation to fund build of dlr putting course

*Publicly accessible & family focused setting to bring golf to a new generation

*Planned opening Spring 2022

DUBLIN, Thursday 28 Oct 2021

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are delighted to work with Padraig Harrington and his team on the development of this innovative facility in Marlay Park. It is being designed and built to be publicly accessible within the Park and will greatly add to the amenities already available. It is located at the site of the original Marlay Playground, surrounded by mature hedging and trees, and will be easily accessed from all parts of the Park.

It has been designed and built in as sustainable a manner as possible, using materials already available within the Park and locally. This facility will help open up the game of golf to people of all ages and backgrounds, introducing a whole new generation to the sport, and above all, making it a fun and entertaining experience for families and friends.

Speaking of the announcement Padraig commented:
“I have always been in awe of the popularity of the Himalayas Putting Course in St. Andrews and wanted to be involved in providing something similar for the people of Ireland to allow them to experience golf in a fun and family focused setting.

With this in mind, the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation, with the assistance of a golf development grant from The R&A to contribute towards the construction of the facility and also a grant from Golf Ireland, supported by Sport Ireland’s special projects scheme, will fund the design and construction of a state of the art, undulating and unique putting course covering 3,000 square metres at Marlay Park, working in partnership with Turfgrass® and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

My sincere thanks go to John Clarkin and his team at Turfgrass®, Anthony Bennett at Atlantic Golf Construction, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and it’s Parks team, all the contractors who have also offered their time and services for free or at preferential rates, as well as both The R&A and Golf Ireland for their generous grants.”

An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr Lettie McCarthy said:

“Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is dedicated to maintaining and developing the very best in publicly accessible sports and leisure facilities to the citizens of the county and is very proud of this new partnership with one of Irelands greatest sports stars. We very much look forward to its official opening in Spring 2022!”

The design and construction began in recent months, with the next step being to seed the putting green with a blend of grasses which are both indigenous and sustainable. The intention is to have an official opening in Spring of next year, depending on the growing conditions over the winter. Harrington, the Council and everyone involved in the inception and delivery of what will be a world class local facility very much look forward to bringing the game of golf in an accessible way to a new generation and a new audience.
ENDS

For media queries please contact:
dlr Communications Office: commsoffice@dlrcoco.ie & 01 2047090

Padraig Harrington: michele.mair@img.com & +44-7990574184

Notes for Editors:
About the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation –

Padraig established the Foundation in 2004 to provide financial assistance to deserving beneficiaries throughout Ireland and the rest of the world.