Large Attendance at Munster Golf Delegates Meeting

Munster Branch GUI ADM & Awards 24th November 2015The Munster Branch held their Annual Delegates Meeting in Mallow on Tuesday evening and a very large crowd attended to reflect on a another positive year for golf in the province.  It was an occasion to celebrate the successes during the year which included national wins for Dooks, Ballybunion and Thurles.  The Branch reported a deficit of over Continue reading

Muskerry Lead the Charge for New Members

Muskerry are one of the early birds looking at 2016, they have put in place a very attractive offer for new members under the age of 35.  Munster clubs have seen membership drop by over 20% in the past five years, that’s over 7,400 members between the 86 clubs.  Nationally the game has lost almost 50,000 members so many clubs are now looking at new ways to attract and retain members.  In addition to the membership loss, clubs are also having to manage an aging profile.  This has an impact on revenue and in many clubs, older members qualify for discounts or reduced membership fees.  At a recent EGM, Muskerry approved a new scheme that will see new members pay €520 in their first year of membership.  They then graduate to €700 in the second year and €900 in the third year.  After the third year Continue reading

Super 63 from Ryan to win Munster PGA Opener

Munster PGA Fota Island 16th Nov 2015

Munster PGA Captain David O’Sullivan presenting the winners prize to David Ryan who shot a 63 at the opening PGB Munster PGA event. The comeptition was held at Fota Island Resort and was sponsoted by Titleist & Footjoy. Also included is Stephen Hayes, Munster PGA.

Cahir Park’s David Ryan shot a sensational eight under par 63 to win the first PGB Winter Series event at Fota Island Resort.  The event was in the new pro-am format and was sponsored by Titleist & Footjoy. Marian Riordan and Davey Barry were tied in second place on 69 and Tim Rice shot a 70 to take fourth place.  Killarney’s Dan Sugrue was fifth with a level par 71 while newcomer Conor Coyne was among those tied for 6th place in his first PGA event.

Unsurprisingly David Ryan also took the pro-am prize, he partnered with his Dad Ellis to score a winning 46 points.  Marian Riordan and Colm Riordan were second with 44 points.  Tommy Higgins won the amateur category with 41 points.  David O’Donovan and Colm Riordan were tied for second with 39 points.  The next PGB winter series event will take place in Killarney Golf Club on Monday 30th November and this will also be a Continue reading

Marymount Benefits from Fota Ladies

Golf_Fota Ladies_Marymount_Nov 2015Fota Island Ladies recently presented a cheque for over €3,000 to Marymount Hospice.  The large donation was the proceeds from their annual charity open day which took place a few weeks ago.  Fota Island Lady Captain Anne Horgan was delighted to present Marymount’s Miriam Dennehy with the proceeds and she explained how they raised the funds: ““The money raised was as a result of a recent semi open competition held in Fota Island.  It was a four person team event and each team had a Fota member playing with guests.  The prizes were again sponsored Continue reading

Castlemartyr Launches Race to Old Thorns

Castlemartyr's 4th hole  Picture: Jamie Gibson.

Castlemartyr’s 4th hole Picture: Jamie Gibson.

Not satisfied with another very strong golfing season, Castlemartyr are running another open qualifier series, running all the way into December.  The popular links style course was the venue for open competitions right through the peak season and now they have a top quality prize on offer for their November and December events.  The series winner will win a trip for two to the Old Thorns golf estate in southern England.  The Shaw family from Old Thorns recently completed the purchase of the five star resort in Castlemartyr and this is the first sign of collaboration between both venues.  The qualifiers were very popular during the summer with up to 200 golfers competing weekly, obviously it’s a different time of the year but we’re still expecting a lot of interest.  We’ve harvested a Continue reading

4 Cork Golfers Included in National Panels

Kinsale's Cathal Butler

Kinsale’s Cathal Butler

The GUI national panels were announced today and four Cork golfers have made the training panels.  Kinsale’s Cathal Butler made his return to competitive golf this week in Rosslare and he has been added to the Men’s Development Panel.  Butler’s Kinsale stablemate John Murphy has gone straight into the Boy’s Panel while Sean Desmond (Monkstown) made it into the Boy’s Development Panel.  Mallow’s Ed Walsh is the 4th Cork golfer to get the call up, he is on the Boy’s Under 16 Panel. Continue reading