Galgorm wins big at World Luxury Awards
Galgorm Resort has been recognised by two global platforms, winning an unprecedented six awards at the prestigious 2023 World Luxury Awards hosted in Athens, and securing the Best Destination Spa 2024 title at the recent Conde Nast Johansens Awards in London.
Galgorm’s internationally renowned retreat, has been widely commended for its sustained commitment to excellence and its outstanding achievement within the wider international luxury spa and wellness industry, adding a string of new awards to its growing collection.
Located in the heart of Northern Ireland and set within 450 acres of gardens and woodlands, Galgorm has carved out a reputation as one of the world’s premier, luxury destinations. Following investments worth more than £60 million since 2010, Galgorm is also investing a further £30 million to further expand and enhance its resort and spa facilities by 2027, embedding its position as a world-class international tourism destination of choice for travellers from across the globe.
Tara Moore, Head of Spa Operations for Galgorm said: “We are thrilled to have enjoyed such incredible success on a global stage as part of the World Luxury Awards and the Conde Nast Johansens Awards in recognition of our significant investment, our focus on delivering an unrivalled customer experience, not least all the hard work and dedication of our talented team at Galgorm.
“To receive recognition on this scale against such strong international competition not only reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in every area but also to enriching the tourism industry of Northern Ireland.”
Named Global Award Winner for Best Luxury Spa Resort, the resort’s famous Thermal Spa Village also took home the top awards for Best Luxury Resort and Best Luxury Spa Resort in Northern Europe; Best Luxury Riverside Resort across the continent; Best Luxury Resort Spa and Best Luxury Golf Resort Spa in the UK; and the Best Destination Spa 2024 at the Conde Nast Johansens Awards.
Committed to working towards a sustainable future, protecting the environment and reducing its carbon footprint through its Green Policy 10-Point Plan, Galgorm recently became the first hotel in Northern Ireland to achieve gold in two top sustainability accolades from Green Tourism, in recognition of its “exceptional commitment to sustainable practices”, while earlier this year, the Galgorm Collection became the first hospitality group on the island of Ireland to achieve official ‘Great Place to Work’ certification, based on exceptional employee experience.
Course improvements
In early 2023, Northern Ireland’s premier tournament venue completed a three-year investment programme to the championship Castle Course
Following a decade of investment in tournament golf, Galgorm has established itself as an internationally acclaimed tournament venue having hosted over 15 professional tournaments on some of the game’s leading tours: the DP World Tour, European Challenge Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour.
Galgorm has been the perennial home of the Northern Ireland Open for over 10 years, was host of the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and the home of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational from 2021-23. Following its hosting of the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, a multi-million three-year course development programme began and was completed in spring 2023.
The significnant works to the course have rubberstamped Galgorm’s reputation as one of Ireland’s best championship parklands, and the Castle course now measures almost 7,300 yards from the championship tees.
Course changes 2021 & 2022 (summary)
The springs of 2021 and 2022 saw the completion of phases one and two of the three-year course development programme respectively, with key changes outlined below.
HOLE 18 (555 yards Par 5)
The signature project in 2021 was the re-design of 18th hole, which has created a finishing hole to remember and a true risk, reward scenario for longer hitters. A new fairway bunker was added some 300 yards from the championship tee which requires consideration for longer hitters hoping to reach the par-5 in two. The addition of a lake and stream to the left of the 18th green with reclaimed railway sleepers, complemented by mounding provides a natural amphitheatre and dramatic finish for golfers of all abilities.
HOLE 9 (513 yards Par 4/5)
The largest project in the early part of 2022 was the redesign of the lake to the left of the ninth fairway. The lake was extended by approximately 100 yards towards the green and the ground level on the tee box side of the lake was lowered, making the water more visible from the teeing areas. A large mounding area was constructed at the far side of the lake, which has reduced the size of the landing zone for the longer hitters.
HOLE 6 (473 yards Par 4)
A new greenside bunker was introduced to the right of the 6th green, greatly enhancing the challenge of this strong par-4, which played as the second hardest hole on the golf course during the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open
HOLE 7 (159 yards Par 3)
The 7th hole tee box complex was refurbished with reclaimed railway sleepers added for aesthetics, and a new greenside bunker constructed to the back-left of the green, which frames this picturesque par-3 beautifully.
HOLE 8 (443 yards Par 4)
The existing bunker left of the green was redesigned and a new bunker and mounding complex was constructed to the
right of the putting surface. The back right portion of the green is now tucked behind the new bunker, making any pin position on the right side of the green a daunting one.
HOLE 16 (443 yards Par 4)
Two new fairway bunkers were added to the left of the fairway on the dog-leg. The first, larger bunker is in play from all
tee boxes and includes mounding to the left. The smaller, second bunker is positioned further up the fairway and is a more penal hazard - designed to challenge those who decide to take on the first bunker in a bid to have a shorter approach.
HOLE 17 (457 yards Par 4)
A new fairway bunker was added on the right-hand side of the dog-leg approximately 310 yards from the championship
tee. At the green, the bunker to the right was redesigned to wrap around the front-right portion of the putting surface, ready to collect any approaches that leak to the right. These changes saw the 17th play as the hardest hole during the 2022 ISPS Handa World Invitational.
TEE BOXES
Three new championship tee boxes have been added on holes 4, 10 and 15:
• On the fourth this has added some length and a new angle for this short par-4.
• The 10th now stretches to over 600 yards with a 240-yard carry across the lake
• The new 15th tee is adjacent to the 14th green and has added significant length on a dramatic new angle across the
Course changes 2023
The end of 2022 brought the beginning of the final phase of our three-year course development plan and the result now showcases our biggest natural assets – the Rivers Maine and Braid on holes 11, 13 and 14, as well as the completion of a second phase of work on the ninth hole.
HOLE 9 (513 yards Par 4/5)
Following work on the lake to the left of the fairway on hole 9 in early 2022, we have completed the redesign of this hole
by enlarging the lake nearer the green. The lake now flows out into what was previously fairway with a boulder wall facing the direction of play. This significantly enhances the closing hole of the front nine, a par-4 from the blues and par-5 from all other tees.
HOLE 11 (485 yards Par 4)
The club completed a major tree clearance project in the teeing areas in order to construct two new tee boxes on the bank of the River Maine, creating an exciting new dynamic to the tee shot for amateurs and professionals on this strong par-4. A new bunker has been introduced to the left of the fairway on the corner of the dog-leg, while the existing large bunker left of the green has been redesigned into a complex of three smaller bunkers.
HOLE 13 (446 yards Par 4)
The championship tee box has been moved back and raised out towards the river, adding length to this challenging par 4, while the white, green and red tee boxes have also been extended across to the edge of the riverbank. Along the right side of the early part of the hole, the previous steep bank has been re-contoured to create a gentler and more natural slope. Two fairway bunkers have been added to the left of the fairway (the first, larger bunker sited where an old tree previously stood before being struck down by lightning) and a new bunker has been introduced right of the green.
HOLE 14 (177 yards Par 3)
At the green, a boulder wall along the riverbank has been built, creating an exciting new visual impact. The green has been enlarged to wrap around the bunker, creating dramatic new pin positions to the right of the bunker with new mounding introduced to the rear of the extended portion of green. A new tee box to the left of the current championship tee box has created an alternative angle and on a good day, Slemish Mountain is visible from this new teeing area. The green tee box has been extended towards the River Braid, enhancing the visual on the tee shot for all levels of golfers.
THE BARN AT GALGORM CLUBHOUSE
Located adjacent to Castle Kitchen + Bar at the Galgorm clubhouse, The Barn is an indoor- outdoor oasis that delivers style in abundance, innovative cocktails and all the drinks you know and love. The Barn is a casual space for golfers to enjoy after their round, and is also a great place for night’s out when spending time at the resort and away from the fairways.
TOURNAMENT VENUE
AND FINALLY THEY SAID...
A lot of people thought the golf course was open and pretty average [before they got here]. They couldn’t be more wrong, this golf course is magnificent, it truly is. If you haven’t been here, it’s a must.
- Wayne Riley (Sky Sports Presenter)
I have been coming to Northern Ireland for years. You always get a great welcome and you know the courses are as good as anywhere. I was impressed with the course at Galgorm and the hotel is super as well. - Padraig Harrington (Player)
It’s a real test throughout the game, from driver you have to make good opportunities with your irons and the greens are very quick as well. The course was amazing, a great test. - Aaron Rai (Player)
This might be the toughest course I’ve played on the European Tour. - Shane Lowry (Player)
With the new tee boxes and bunkers last year and these tweaks @GalgormCastle is quietly turning into one of the best tests on @DPWorldTour all year... That 9th hole will be a 3 shot par 4 if you miss the fairway now that the water is there. - Julian Suri (Player)
