Backspin released the 2014 results of its fourth biennial Irish golf course poll, and for the fourth consecutive time, the Jack Nicklaus-designed Mount Juliet in County Kilkenny was named No. 1 in its top-30 parkland courses list. Mount Juliet was awarded a landslide top position with 32 top votes from Backspin’s panel of 75 voters, and three out of every four panelists listed Mount Juliet in their top three. Killeen Castle, the only other course designed by Jack Nicklaus in Ireland, was voted No. 8 on the list. Voters were asked to list—in order of preference—the 15 links and 15 parkland courses in the 32 Irish counties that impress and delight them most, with special emphasis placed on design, presentation, setting, challenge and the personal enjoyment factor.
