Howard Continues to Shine

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David Howard preparing to tee off in the semi-final of the South of Ireland at Lahinch.
Picture: Niall O’Shea

David Howard continued his impressive run of form with another great performance at the South of Ireland in Lahinch Golf Club.

His week started on Tuesday when Walker Cup Captain Dean Robertson invited him to join the panel for a practice round.  Howard had been considered an outside contender for the event which takes place in Lahinch in early September, and the Captain publicly stated that the winner of the South would have to be considered for a spot on the team.  Howard now had a dual incentive to do well in Lahinch.

The Fota Island golfer delivered, he comfortably qualified for Continue reading →

Douglas Golf Club do the double in AIG Senior Cup

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Douglas receiving their AIG Women’s Senior Cup pennant from Dave Prendergast, Golf Ireland. Picture: Niall O’Shea

Once again Douglas Golf Club did the double last weekend.   They won the AIG Senior Cup in Women’s and Men’s in Kinsale Golf Club.  The Farrangalway course was busy with 85 individual matches taking place over the weekend.

It was an inter-club double for the men as the previous week they won the AIG Barton Shield in Tipperary.   After waiting over 30 years for a Senior Cup or Barton Shield pennant, Douglas now have won three in just over 12 months.

Douglas men were up against Clonakilty in their first match on Saturday morning, and the team was made up of Wayne O’Callaghan, Jack Continue reading →

Howard tuned up for Birkdale

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David Howard in action for Ireland
©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

David Howard is living his golfing dream, he’s teeing it up today in one of the biggest tournaments in the world.  Howard earned a place at the Open Championship in Royal Birkdale just two weeks ago, and since then there has been a scramble for tickets as friends and relatives try to make their way to the championship.

The Fota Island member got a late call up to final qualifying at Dundonald Links, and made the most of the opportunity by finishing in 4th place and claiming a spot in the Championship field.

The 27 year old committed to Continue reading →

Monkstown win AIG Women’s Junior Cup

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Monkstown, winners of the Munster East AIG Women’s Junior Cup.
Picture: Niall O’Shea

Monkstown Ladies pulled off an impressive comeback to win the AIG Women’s Junior Cup in Muskerry.  They won their first and second round matches in East Cork a few weeks ago, and the Monkstown panel headed for Muskerry where they faced Fota Island in the semi-final.

Aisling McDonald and Susan O’Sullivan put points on the board early for Monkstown with wins on the 16th.  Vanessa Fitzgerald was headed for the 19th after finishing all square but Hilary Harte won her match on the 17th green to settle the result.  Una Hegarty was called in as Monkstown prepared for their final against All-Ireland champions Tipperary.

Team Manager Ralph Continue reading →

Howard targets Munster glory before Open debut

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David Howard tees off at the Men’s and Women’s Interprovincial Championship at Knightsbrook in 2025 Photo: Inpho | Andrew Conan

Munster are setting their sights on a first Men’s Interprovincial Championship win in eight years, with David Howard hoping victory at Knightsbrook could provide the perfect send-off before making his Open Championship debut at Royal Birkdale next week.

The Fota Island golfer earned his ticket to The Open Championship after coming through final qualifying at Dundonald Links, and the week since has been a whirlwind for the 27-year-old with the prospect of teeing up alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry still not fully setting in. Continue reading →

Gazi wins 2nd Douglas Scratch Cup

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Mark Gazi won the Douglas Senior Scratch Cup last weekend, posting rounds of 68 and 71 on the black course in Douglas.  The Tralee golfer was two under par after the first round, edging previous winner Peter O’Keeffe by one shot.  Jack Murphy was next best on 71 with James  Walsh, David Howard and John Dolan on 72.

Both Gazi and O’Keeffe added rounds of 71 in the afternoon, meaning Gazi claimed his second Douglas title.  He won it back in 2024 when he bridged a gap of over 30 years to the last winner from Kerry.  O’Keeffe picked up second place and the PJ O’Hea Cup for best Douglas player, with Jack Murphy one shot back on +1 after a level par second round.

Barry O’Connell shot the low round of the afternoon with a one under par 69, and that moved him up to 4th place while Sha Continue reading →

Jason Law claims 3rd Munster Title

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Jason Law (Fota Island)

Fota Island’s Jason Law put two great rounds together in Bandon last week to win the Munster Senior Championship.  Law had a three-shot margin of victory over the field and he was the only player in the field to go under par.  An opening 72 (+1) had him in the lead going into the second round, one shot ahead of Bandon’s Dave McCarthy.

On the second day, The Island’s Eoin O’Sullivan posted an early level-par round to hold the clubhouse lead. There was a long wait for Law to finish his round as he was in the second-last group, and when the cards were checked, he Continue reading →

Flyte Golf now open in Cork

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Ben Quigley and Rob O’Callaghan who have opened Flyte Golf.
Picture: Niall O’Shea

Cork has welcomed its first dedicated golf simulator centre with the opening of Flyte Golf in the Marina Commercial Park, and it’s already attracting plenty of visitors in its first few weeks.  Flyte has seen a wide range of customers, from serious amateurs to stag parties to tourists.

Powered by the market leading Trackman technology, the centre offers five custom built simulator bays, providing golfers with the perfect place to practice or socialise.  The new location is aimed at anyone who wants to swing a club, whether you are a seasoned golfer or a first Continue reading →

Byrne takes 2nd place on LET

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 Dromoland’s Touring Pro Sara Byrne 
Pic. Brian Arthur

Sara Byrne had her best finish on the Ladies European Tour last weekend, she took second place at the Ladies Open de France.  Byrne, who only just back from a four month injury lay-off, opened with rounds of 68 and 69 to claim a place in the final group on the last day.  Byrne wasn’t going to catch runaway leader Helen Briem, but held on to tie for second.

“I’m really happy with that week to be tied second, my best-ever LET finish and first time in the final group,” said Byrne. “Today was probably the best golf I played all week, unfortunately not one putt wanted to drop for me all day.  I gave myself so many opportunities. I’m so proud Continue reading →