The Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) signed a contract which will see the oldest golf union in world relocate from its current premises in Glencar House, Dublin to the Carton House Estate in Kildare.
Aside from the new GUI headquarters, Carton will also house a new Golf Museum and National Golf Academy within the vast estate. The estate boasts two championship golf courses, one designed by two-time major winner Mark O'Meara and the other by former European number one Colin Montgomerie.
"The Golfing Union of Ireland has the proud distinction of being the oldest Golf Union in the world", said Michael O'Donoghue, GUI President, "and the decision to relocate to Carton Estate and build our new headquarters and National Academy is perhaps the most significant step forward in the proud history of the Union."
Planning application for the new headquarters has been lodged withKildare County Council, and it is hoped the relocation will be complete by early 2005.
Other recent developments at the GUI saw Geoff Dixon's appointment as the new full-time national coach. Dixon was previously head of PGA training at the Belfry in England.
Furthermore, next year's AIB Irish Amateur Open Championship will be played at Carton House from May 7th-9th.
"We are really delighted that the Golfing Union of Ireland has selected Carton House Golf Club to host this prestigious Championship in 2004," said Lee Mallaghan, owner of the Carton Estate.
"It will be the first major event to be held at Carton House since the O'Meara and Montgomerie designed courses were opened, and we look forward to the leading amateurs throughout Europe testing their skills on our Championship layout."