Month: September 2016

Walsh named on Irish U16 Team to play England

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Edward Walsh

Mallow’s Edward Walsh

Mallow’s Edward Walsh got his due reward for a great Summer of golf today as he was named on an Irish Boys Under 16 team that will play England next week.  The Mallow golfer was the winner of the Munster Boys Under 17 Championship and he also featured on the winning Munster team at the Boys U16 Interprovincials.  This isn’t Walsh’s first trip abroad for golf as he featured in the Italian Under 16 Championship last month.

Ireland’s under-16s will play England at Castletown Links on the Isle of Man in an international match over two days from 7-8 October.  Irish Boys Champion Mark Power leads the eight players included in the Ireland team, which will play their English counterparts in a series of foursome, four ball and single matches.

Power is joined by Irish Under-16 champion John Brady as well as Jack Doherty, Sean Enright, Ian Halpin, Scott Jones, Luke O’Neill and Mallow’s Walsh. The teams will play foursome and four ball matches on the opening day with eight single matches to decide the outcome on the second day. Irish Boys Selectors Alasdair Gibson (Knock) and Kevin Raftery (Forrest Little) will accompany the team.

 

IRELAND U16 (v England, 7-8 October)
John Brady (Rosslare)
Jack Doherty (Carton House)
Sean Enright (Limerick)
Ian Halpin (Cahir Park)
Scott Jones (Belvoir Park)
Mark Power (Kilkenny)
Luke O Neill (Connemara)
Edward Walsh (Mallow)

Gallery: Munster U15/U17 Championship

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Long Read: Hayes at Home in Douglas

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Stephen Hayes pictured in action in Douglas Golf Club.Picture: Niall O'Shea

Stephen Hayes pictured in action in Douglas Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea

It’s six years since Stephen Hayes took the reins at Douglas Pro Shop, taking on the challenge of working in one of the oldest clubs in Cork.  The past six years haven’t been great for the golf industry but in that time the PGA Professional developed a large following.  Working from one of the busiest courses in the county, Hayes has built a strong business in what was a tough time for everyone involved in the business.  Being a club pro can be a demanding job, the shop must be open 364 days a year, and for up to 12 hours a day during the summer months.  Add to that the fact that you need to find cover for the shop if coaching or playing, or even taking a day off, and you’ll soon realise that a pro-shop can be a demanding business for a PGA Professional.  Over the past two years the retail landscape has changed, the internet has become a real alternative to the high street or on-course shop.  The high street Continue reading →

Ronnie Whelan Golf Classic at Douglas Golf Club

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The Annual Ronnie Whelan Golf Classic takes place this year in Douglas Golf Club.  A full timesheet is expected on Friday 7th October for the shotgun start.  Ronnie Whelan will be there along with a few of his former Liverpool teammates.  The event is in aid of Ovacare and is supported by Flogas, Harvey Norman,  RedFM and Rochestown Park Hotel.  Some places are available and anyone interested should contact Gary Keating on 087 2287541.

ronnie-whelan-sept-2016_2

Munoz wins in Spain with Keelan on the bag

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Azahara Munoz of Spain and her caddie celebrate in the terrace overlooking the course

Caddy Simon Keelan celebrates with Azahara Munoz after winning the Costa del Sol Open, Aloha Golf Club, Marbella, Spain 22-25 Sept. Picture: Tristan Jones/LET

Spain’s Azahara Munoz came from behind to win the LET Costa del Sol Open this weekend, with Corkman Simon Keelan caddying for the LPGA and LET professional.

It was a great turnaround for Munoz, who finished last of those who made the weekend at the Evian Championship last weekend.  Keelan has spent much of the summer caddying for the Spanish pro who has earned in excess of $5m in her six years on tour.    Munoz went into the final round one shot behind Beth Allen, after losing her 36 hole lead.  It looked as if Allen would run away with the tournament at one point when she was three ahead but a few unforced errors from the US golfer brought Munoz back into contention.

“Aza was very relaxed during the round, similar to all week really.” said Keelan speaking on Sunday evening after the tournament.  “It’s amazing when you think she had the weight of a nation’s expectations on her shoulders and no previous Spanish winner.  At the start of the day, after Allen’s back nine yesterday (-5, 31) I felt we needed a fast start and probably a 68 to get it done.  Allen went Continue reading →

Top Ten finish for McNamara and Barry at 106th Irish PGA Championship

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Golf_Cian McNamara_Monkstown GC_June2014_2The 106th Irish PGA Championship came to a conclusion today with two Cork golfers in the top 10.  Monkstown’s Cian McNamara finished of his tournament in style with a two under par 70.  The Limerick native got off to a great start with three birdies on the front nine and another one on he 11th.  He bogied the 13th and 16th which pegged him back a little but still stayed in the red and signed for a 70.  Davey Barry also rounded off a great week, finishing in a tie for 7th place alongside McNamara.  Davey signed for a one over par 73 today but jumped up two places on the leaderboard.  Barry was three over par through 11 holes but added two birdies on the way home to get back on track and ensure his top ten finish.

David Higgins had a 71 to stay inside the top ten and finish in 6th place just ahead of McNamara and Barry.  David Ryan shot a level par 72 to move up into the top 30.  Mallow’s Ciaran McKenna had another disappointing round and finished near the back of the field.

Damien McGrane joined the legendary past winners with a hugely impressive 69 to put his name alongside some of the greatest Irish golfers.  Overnight leader Continue reading →

Davey Barry into Top Ten at Irish PGA

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Davey Barry (Douglas)

Davey Barry (Douglas)

Davey Barry shot a one under par 71 at Moyvalley today in the third round of the Irish PGA Championship.  Barry moved up the leaderboard on day three and now he’s in 10th place.  The Douglas assistant professional started brightly with a birdie on the first but a bogey on the 5th brought him back to level par for the day.  A bogey on the 16th was book-ended by birdies on the 12th and 17th which meant that Barry signed for a 71.  Cian McNamara slumped to a 77 for this third round, a double bogey on the last was a tough way to finish for the Monkstown Professional  who had recovered from a poor start.  McNamara is now in 13th place.  David Higgins is the best placed Munster Pro, he had a 71 today and is tied for 8th place.  The lead is still held by Colm Moriarty from Drive Golf Performance.  Moriarty’s 70 was one of the low rounds of the day and he has a one stroke lead  over Damien McGrane and holder Niall Kearney.

David Ryan jumped up 14 places on the leaderboard thanks to his 73 today, but Ciaran McKenna dropped out of contention after a disappointing round.  Tomorrow will see the final round of Continue reading →

Munoz on top in Spain, with Cork’s Keelan on the bag

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simon-keelan-sept-2016_1Azahara Munoz leads the Costa Del Sol Open after the first 36 holes, an she has Corkman Simon Keelan on the bag with her.  Keelan has spent much of the summer caddying on the Ladies European Tour.  Last week the pair were in action in the Evian Championship in Paris but it was a disappointing week as Munoz finished down the field.  This week she bounced back on home soil and led the field after a second round 66.  Keelan was seen on Sky Sports looking Continue reading →

McNamara top 10 at Irish PGA, No joy for East Cork at Ladies Senior Foursomes

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Golf_Cian McNamara_Monkstown GC_June2014Cian McNamara shot an impressive 73 today in very testing conditions to stay in contention at Moyvalley.  High winds hampered golfers all day with the later starters suffering the most.  McNamara’s solid round means that he’s in 7th place and just four shots off the lead.  David Higgins also carded a 73 and he’s in 12th place.  David Barry had one of the best rounds of the afternoon, his two over par 74 has him on +1 for the tournament and in a tie for 15th place.

Ciaran McKenna is tied for 36th place after a second round 78.  He’s on +8 for his first 36 holes.  David Ryan looked like missing the cut after a second round 78, but the afternoon scores saw him jump a few places and he made it through to the weekend right on the cut mark of +11.  Padraig Dooley, Stephen Hayes, Ronan Collins and Conor Coyne all had round in the 80’s and missed the cut which was limited to the top 50 plus ties.  Daniel Crowley and Peter Hickey also missed the cut after poor opening round yesterday.  The lead in the Continue reading →

East Cork through to Senior Foursomes Final, AIG Ladies Cups and Shields

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In the hotly contested Senior Foursomes semi-final yesterday, East Cork dominated Portumna from the start. All East Cork matches were up through the 6th and continued in this fashion.  Portumna player and Senior International Suzanne Corcoran and partner Madden Madden made a comeback on the final stretch but opponents Lillian Hartigan and Deirdre Ryan closed the match on the home green. The final result was 3-0 to the Cork side.

The second semi-final was contested between Kilkenny and Royal Portrush. Kilkenny were slight favourites after overcoming Milltown yesterday but Royal Portrush has the title in sight and it wasn’t to be for the All-Ireland Senior Cup Champions. The top match was all square through 12 and there was no difference between the teams but Helen Jones and Heidi Simpson (Royal Portrush) edged ahead and secured a 2&1 win. Kilkenny’s youthful middle pairing of Sarah Molloy and Jan Browne delivered once again and closed out the match on the 14th. The final match looked like it would be an early win for Royal Portrush as they were 6 up through 9 but Kilkenny’s Mary Leahy-Browne and partner Phyl Doyle fought back before missing a putt on the 18th to lose 1 down. Royal Portrush will take on East Cork tomorrow.

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Results
Senior Foursomes – Semi-Final
East Cork 3 Portumna 0
Grace McGrath & Sarah O’Brien (14) beat Claire Callanan & Riona Holohan (25) 3&1
Lillian Hartigan & Deirdre Ryan (16) beat Suzanne Corcoran & Mary Madden (26) 1up
Deirdre O’Mahony & Mairead Ni Mhurchu (18) beat Anne Fahy & Anita Carey (27)  3&1

Senior Foursomes – Semi-Final
Kilkenny 1 Royal Portrush 2
Ann Smee & Dervilla O’Byrne (14) lost to Helen Jones & Heidi Simpson (14) 2&1
Sarah Molloy & Jan Browne (14) beat Moyra McElderry & Nicky Smyth (14) 6&4
Mary Leahy & Phyl Doyle (17) lost to Vivienne Houston & Shauna Park (16) 1 down