Congratulations Mount Juliet - DDF Irish Open 2020 Hosts

The par three 11th at Mount Juliet

It isn't that big a surprise... Mount Juliet have just been awarded the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2020, to be held between 28-31 May.

The change in dates (from 2 weeks before the Open Championship) has certainly allowed parklands more opportunity to host an event that was veering towards links exclusivity. The K Club (2016) is
the only parkland in the past five years to host our national Open.

Given how pretty many of our top parklands are, coasting through luxury resorts, it is excellent news for golf fans that Mount Juliet will be next year's hosts. Those who attend will enjoy a very different experience to the one offered at Lahinch this year, Ballyliffin last year and Portstewart the year before that.

I was lucky enough to be asked to photograph the course a couple of months ago... here are some of those photos:

The famous par three 3rd at sunrise

There is a certain timeless quality to the trees here.

Even the practice range is full of charm

Views back up the Index 1 13th.

The 18th green

Early bird ticket prices start at €13 for the Pro-Am, and €23 on Thursday and Friday, rising to €27 for the weekend. 

Alternatively, for all five days of golf and entertainment tickets cost just €83 if purchased before February 28, 2020. Children under 12 years of age are entitled to free entry when accompanied by an adult. Day junior tickets (aged 12 to 17 years) are €10 (€25 season ticket), while students (18 to 24) and over 65s can avail of a concession ticket: €15 for Thursday and Friday, €20 for Saturday and Sunday, or €60 for a season ticket. 

All Irish Open tickets available here.