Kildare, Ireland (Dublin), December 2012 … The 5 Star Kildare Hotel, Spa & Country Club, affectionately known as The K Club, which is near Dublin City Centre and Dublin International Airport, has announced “The Gathering Golf Classic.”  The Gathering Golf Classic is a celebration of the return to the ancestral home of the Irish Diaspora from around the world in 2013.  Called by the Republic of Ireland “The Gathering,” throughout 2013 the Irish will open their arms to friends and family globally, welcoming them home to locally organized gatherings in villages, towns and cities throughout the country.  The K Club is doing the same with its extended “family,” inviting them back to Ireland to reconnect with their Irish heritage.

Since Ireland is home to challenging links and parkland golf courses set against the Emerald Isle’s stunning, rugged landscapes, and since two of these courses are located at The K Club, it’s a natural that the resort will host The Gathering Golf Classic.  Ireland annually attracts golfers from around the world.  In collaboration with Ireland Chamber of Commerce USA and Tourism Ireland, Irish-American golfers are invited to Gather & Golf at The K Club during the four-day Gathering Golf Classic.

The Gathering Golf Classic at The K Club commences July 14, 2013, and continues through July 18.  The Gathering Golf Classic package includes:

The K Club’s “Gathering Golf Classic Package” is from $1625 / €1,250 per person sharing*

For those Golfers who only wish to Play Golf

4 rounds of golf at The K Club (inclusive of practice round)
Pre dinner Cocktail Party
Gala Dinner
Welcome Gift
K Club Prizes

Gathering Golf Classic Play at The K Club, $618 / €475 per golfer*

The Gathering Golf Classic tournament will be a test to golfers of all levels who are returning “home” to play, considering the history and elegance of the parkland Ryder Cup Course and the inland links style of The Smurfit Course. The Tournament will be played over 3 rounds in a stableford format with the winners having the best accumulative scores of the final two rounds. Leaders of Round 1 will go out in the final groups of the day. Round 1 will play on the Palmer Ryder Cup Course, Round 2 on the Smurfit Course with the final round being played on The Palmer Ryder Cup Course.

With plenty of things to do and see for non-golfers, Ireland and Kildare promise to create lasting memories for all the family reconnecting with their heritage in Ireland. Guests can explore the National Stud and Japanese Gardens while enjoying discount shopping in Kildare Village Chic Designer Outlet.

Throughout Dublin, Gathering visitors will find an abundance of visitor attractions to discover and explore, from majestic museums to more modern centres of entertainment. Whether their interest is sport, history, art or literature, whether they want to follow a heritage trail, visit a zoo, dine in a castle or follow in the footsteps of Dublin’s many musical greats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

Courtesy transfers to and from The K Club are available, as is the opportunity to relax & unwind in The K Spa with a wide selection of treatments perfect after a day’s shopping.

Located on the banks of the picturesque River Liffey near the quaint village of Straffan, The K Club provides five star lodging, dining and recreational opportunities within an estate-like setting.  The historic Straffan House, along with the former manor house’s beautifully-blended extensions, offers sumptuous interiors and exquisite antique appointments.  Superb service complements the majestic interiors and a priceless art collection, including a replica of The Book of Kells and an intimate collection of artistic masterpieces by Jack B. Yeats.  The K Club’s cuisine is the very best, as would be expected of a resort that regularly hosts European Royalty.  Just 30 minutes away is one of the world’s great destination cities, Dublin.

Ireland is just 5 hours by air from the US northeast ~ closer than a flight to Los Angeles or San Francisco. 

For further details on The Gathering Golf Classic at The K Club and for reservations, please call 011-353-6017200 or visit www.kclub.ie. 

For high resolution photography of The K Club, visit:  http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/29118362/1/K%20Club?h=73460e

*  Prices many vary somewhat due to fluctuating dollar/euro exchange rates.  Packages based on availability

About The Gathering Ireland 2013  
The Gathering Ireland 2013 will be a spectacular, year-long celebration of all things Irish.   Throughout 2013, Ireland will open its arms to hundreds of thousands of friends and family from all over the world, calling them home to gatherings in villages, towns and cities.  There will be clan gatherings, festivals, special sporting events, music and concerts taking place all across the country, all year long.  Communities throughout Ireland will showcase and share the very best of Irish culture, tradition, business, sport, fighting spirit and the uniquely Irish sense of fun.
 
Over 70 million people worldwide claim Irish ancestry. The Gathering Ireland 2013 provides the perfect excuse to reach out to those who have moved away, their relatives, friends and descendants, and invite them home.
 
The Gathering is the people’s party. It will kick off in spectacular style at the New Year’s Eve Festival in Dublin and will be celebrated through gatherings of the people and Ireland’s major festivals during 2013. After that it is over to you. It is in your hands. Be part of it.

About The K Club
The K Club is a multifaceted resort set on 550 acres and on the banks of the River Liffey in Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland.  Just 30 minutes from Dublin International Airport and Dublin City Centre, the resort includes a 69-bedroom hotel which is this year’s AA Hotel of the Year; two Arnold Palmer-designed championship golf courses – The Palmer Ryder Cup Course and The Smurfit Palmer Course, The K Spa and several restaurants and bars.  The resort has staged 13 European Opens and The Ryder Cup 2006.
 
Winner of several accolades for both its hotel and golf offerings, The K Club is renowned as one of the world’s premier golfing destinations.  Other facilities and activities offered on site include conferencing, fishing, horse riding, archery, wine cellar and art & history tours. There is a dedicated Health and Fitness Club, the extraordinary K Spa, and a Kids Club which runs daily.
 
The magical setting of the resort, the magnificent grounds and stringent attention to detail and service has made the property a firm favorite with golfers, families, business travelers, spa goers and wedding couples.  The K Club offers excellent value-added packages for the corporate, leisure and incentive markets.  For more information on packages, services or for best available rates offered log on to www.kclub.ie   The K Club is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.