This blog was originally posted on TheIrishGolfer.ie by Ronan McNamara on 30th July 2025.
"With the Irish Challenge at Killeen Castle on the horizon, a host of Ireland’s golfing princes will be vying to take their seat on the throne.
A tour venue fit for a king, it’s no surprise that the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus, considers Killeen Castle one of his proudest designs.
Initial hopes of a Ryder Cup haven haven’t yet come to fruition, but since opening in 2009, many queens have been crowned in the royal county of Meath, with the 2011 Solheim Cup and Women’s Irish Opens previously hosted here.
When the Irish Challenge arrives on site from 7–10 August, plenty of home hopefuls will be bidding to become the next prince as the HotelPlanner Tour brings the next generation of European stars to Killeen Castle.
Constructed in 2008, it is one of only two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses in Ireland and measures over 7,700 yards from the back tees, which is what the players will face next month.
Cormac Ryan, Director of Golf at Killeen Castle, believes the players will relish the true test of golf that the course provides. He is also excited to showcase the resort as a whole and put it back on the map as a world-class golfing destination.
“We’re very proud to be hosting the HotelPlanner Tour for the Irish Challenge in 2025 and 2027, and we have a strong tournament pedigree here, having hosted the Solheim Cup and the Ladies Irish Open in the past. It’s a testament to the work that Mark and the team, along with the hospitality team, do here to be able to stage an international tournament like the Irish Challenge. We’re very excited and proud to be hosting,” says Ryan, who has been involved with Killeen Castle since 2009 before becoming Director of Golf in November 2023.
“We are one of only two Jack Nicklaus properties in Ireland, two Nicklaus Signature courses. When Jack opened the course, he said it was one of his proudest designs. We’re really proud of those comments coming from the game’s greatest.
“It’s a good test of golf out here. It demands length and accuracy but also creativity. It’s a really good challenge, and we’re excited to see what the rising stars of Europe can do when they come here, while also showcasing the property from a hospitality perspective.”
Liam Nolan currently sits inside the top 10 on the HotelPlanner Tour’s Road to Mallorca Rankings after three top-four finishes in his rookie season so far, as he looks to secure one of the 20 available DP World Tour cards by the end of the season.
In form and the leading Irishman on Europe’s second tier heading into the Irish Challenge, his face has been plastered on promotional billboards ahead of the event. The Galway man is a regular visitor to Killeen Castle when he returns home to Ireland during his off weeks and feels the test the course provides will suit his game come tournament week.
“I love it. In terms of courses we play on the Challenge Tour, it’s right up there as one of the best,” said the former Walker Cup star.
“It’s a great test off the tee; you have to hit it far, and you have to be really precise into the greens, which are very sloping with a lot of run-offs, so it will be a really good test. I’m looking forward to seeing what scores are set over the tournament.
“I don’t think it really matters what course I play; I’ll always be a plotter. Picking precise targets, getting the best angle into greens that I can, so even though there’ll be a lot more drivers out here than usual, you still need to be smart about where you leave yourself in the fairway to give yourself the best chance of creating birdie opportunities.”
Nolan reckons the winning score might be in single digits under par, with patience being the key asset around a golf course he feels is capable of hosting more world-class events in the future.
“It’s going to require a lot of patience. Even if you hit it to 20 feet, you might still have a big breaking putt or a big downhill putt. Patience and good ball striking will do well around here.
“We’re very lucky to be playing here this year. I’d imagine over the next few years we’ll see a lot of high-end tournaments being played here.”
Big prizes are on offer next month. A very special home win would see the 25-year-old seal his promotion to the DP World Tour, but there’s also the opportunity to secure an Amgen Irish Open spot at the K Club in September.
As is tradition with the Irish Challenge, the leading Irishman at the end of the week will be handed a place in the Irish Open field. Tom McKibbin and Mark Power are previous winners of the Christy O’Connor trophy.
“It’s not something you think about; it’s more of a bonus after the tournament. If you were able to secure that Irish Open spot, it would be an incredible opportunity, but other than that, you’re just playing a golf tournament, trying to control what you can, do the best you can, and what comes after is obviously very beneficial.
“Every time I’m on a flight back to Ireland from somewhere on the tour, I always get a bit giddy to be going home, so to be playing a tournament here on the tour will be really, really fun.”
Nolan began the HotelPlanner Tour season with finishes of third and fourth in South Africa before finishing third in Denmark as he began the European swing.
The Jack Nicklaus-designed course with the iconic Killeen Castle in the background
Tournaments will come thick and fast between now and the Rolex Grand Final in November, with Europe set to host the HotelPlanner Tour until back-to-back events in China in October.
The former NUIG student is happy to have more time at home between events and a more relaxed travel schedule.
“It’s easier in the sense that the maximum flight time is three hours compared to twelve or fourteen. The tournaments in Europe come very quickly, so it’s about picking the tournaments you fancy to preserve energy for the season.
“It’s such a long season; even when I was missing cuts, I was playing nicely. My game has been relatively consistent throughout the season so far. Luckily, I have a good caddie out there. Even when we miss cuts, we still look at the positives. The more tournaments I play, the more experience I get, and it’s my first year, so it’s nice to be playing well.”
Joining Nolan in the field and on the promotional billboards is Mark Power, who will be hoping home comforts can be the catalyst for a late summer surge for a DP World Tour card or at least guarantee full status on the HotelPlanner Tour for next season. The former Wake Forest golfer was the leading Irishman at the K Club last year, earning himself a spot in the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down, and he’ll be aiming to book a spot at the Irish Open at the K Club this year, where he impressed on his first start as a pro two years ago. He has already been scoping out Killeen Castle ahead of the tournament and expects it to be one of the best this season.
“I’ve been up two or three times recently. I’d never played it before it was announced as the host venue, so I thought I’d better get a few rounds in to familiarise myself with the course,” Power said.
“It’s fantastic; it’s a proper championship course with plenty of challenge. It’s not too dissimilar to Mount Juliet, my home course, where I’m based. Plenty of length and a couple of tee shots with water you need to avoid. Really nice green surfaces, and I’m sure everyone will enjoy it.”
While Nolan considers himself a rogue, Power is, by surname and by nature. The Kilkenny man is relishing the chance to hit drivers off most tee boxes and launch towering irons into greens. It’s the type of golf that should suit him, and a test which won’t be too dissimilar to much like the K Club in September.
“I enjoy that type of golf course where you need to hit it and don’t feel the course is taking the driver out of your hands.
“Nowadays, a lot of courses are tight, where you need to hit a hybrid or long iron, but when you get courses where you need a driver and another good iron shot, I like that kind of golf.
“The last couple of years, everyone’s really enjoyed the event. It’s been a great set-up, with the players’ lounge and the courses we’ve gone to. I’m sure this year will be no different.”
Killeen Castle, one of Ireland’s premier golf destinations, welcomes the Irish Challenge, part of the HotelPlanner Tour, from Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th August 2025. This prestigious event will see 156 of the world’s top emerging golfers compete over four days in a 72-hole Strokeplay format. After 36 holes, the top 60 professionals will proceed to the final two rounds, battling for their share of the €300,000 prize fund, including a €48,000 first prize.
Get your free tickets to The Irish Challenge 2025
Want your own experience of The Killeen Castle Golf Course? Enquire now for your next golf outing email golf@killeencastle.com