Local knowledge seemed to give two local golfers the edge in Cork today as Padraig Dooley (Drive Golf Performance) and David Ryan (Cahir Park) won the Munster PGA event.  Over 20 golfers started out this morning and while there was a cold wind blowing through Little Island, the course was in great condition and surprisingly dry given the heavy rainfall over the weekend.  Both golfers trained under Peter Hickey and they returned today to triumph over a field of talented professionals.  Both golfers played very steady golf, Ryan was an early starter and had birdies on the 6th, 11th & 12th.  The only blemish came on the 17th, but the two under par 70 was enough to get into the winners circle.  It was a similar story for Dooley, he also birdied the 6th and the 12th.  A bogey on the 14th brought him back to -1 but a birdie on the 17th saw him sign for a 70 and take a share of the top prize.

Davey Barry (Douglas) and John Sugrue (Tralee) were the only other golfers to go under par, both finished with 71’s to tie for third place.  Barry had four birdies but gave back two bogies, while Sugrue had a solid round to take a share of the prizemoney.  David Higgins (Waterville Links)  was disappointed with his 73 on his season debut, he finished in a tie for fifth place alongside Patrick Sheehy (McGuirks).  The event was sponsored by Alan Patterson from Powacaddy.  Munster PGA Captain Stephen Hayes was disappointed to announce that the Waterville Pro-Am event will not be going ahead this year but he did thank Liam, Brian and David Higgins for hosting the pro-am event for the past three years.  The final event in the Winter Series will take place on Monday 27th March in Monkstown when the Morgan O’Donovan Perpetual Trophy will be held.

The Premium Golf Brands Order Merit will be up for grabs in Monkstown in March.  David Ryan’s win in Cork has extended his lead in the Order of Merit and a good finish in Monkstown should see him close in on the title.  Monkstown’s Cian McNamara, Dromoland’s David Foley and Davey Barry all have chances to overtake Ryan but each of them will need a win to be in with a chance of winning the title.

Munster PGA Winter Series, Powacaddy Singles, Cork Golf Club
70 David Ryan, Padraig Dooley
71 John Sugrue, David Barry
73 Patrick Sheehy, David Higgins