David O’Sullivan practicing with the help of Trackman in his swing room at the range in Cobh Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea

Cobh Golf Club is looking forward to a busy 2018.  Last year the club completed works on their new clubhouse and the completion of the club house and carpark marked the end of the beginning in some respects.  Having moved to their new Championship course in Marino Point in 2009, the club committees and its large membership set about building a lasting legacy for the club and the local area.  While the Hawtree designed course needed very little, the club invested time, energy and money in the surrounding facilities and now have the complete package.  The clubhouse, Pro Shop and practice area compliment the signature course which looks out over Cork Harbour.  The club is still open for new members and joiner can benefit from a special offer of €650 for the remainder of the year, while existing members of Cobh can benefit from the €80 per month direct debit option that makes the sub payment easier.  Cobh celebrated their drive in earlier this month, President Teresa Delius, Captain Pat Feen, Lady Captain Maria Hughes and Junior Captain Peter Dennis all took part to mark the ceremonial start to the new year, and while conditions for golf mightn’t be great just yet, the lower harbour club will have a busy year ahead.

PGA Professional has been the club pro in Cobh since 2010 and he has seen the club grow over the past eight years.  “The real message is how Cobh Golf Club at Marino Point has matured so well over the last ten years” said David.  “There is a real quality emerging after the initial grow in stage and through the early years.  The golf course really appeals to all golfers with great variety with 5 par fives and 5 cracking par 3’s.  Many visitors comment on the collective challenge posed by the par 3’s.”  Over a decade tagin the club commissioned world famous course designer Martin Hawtree to design their new course in Marino Point and from the outset the course was regarded as a great championship layout.  “As time goes by we can really appreciate the Hawtree design qualities coming through” continued O’Sullivan.  “Head Greenkeeper Eoin O Neill and his team link well with Course Officer Steve McCormack in implementing all work programmes.  The Club also link with an expert agronomist to keep heading in the right direction.  Over the last year Cobh Golf Club has improved dramatically with a well received clubhouse refurbishment and completion of tarmac for the car park.  Head Chef James Plummer has created a great reputation within the golf community and proves to be a great asset to the club.”

David has recently upgraded his teaching facilities and the investment is another boost for Cobh members.  A new swing room, coupled with Trackman technology and analysis has placed O’Sullivan and the Cobh practice area in the premier league when it comes to teaching.  “The swingroom at the practice ground contains Trackman, a golf radar system with slow motion cameras to assist with detailed golf lessons.  Trackman can also be used outdoors but the swing room provides shelter and allows me to offer uninterrupted weather proof golf tuition.”  Trackman is the industry leader but it isn’t cheap.  “I had a long hard look at options out there and felt that the Trackman route was the best route to go down” explained David.  “We have made a lot of significant progress here at Cobh Golf Club and I am delighted to be able to play my part in the club’s development.  I offer all levels of game improvement from juniors, ladies, Gents beginners to the elite advanced player, a big part of what we are trying to achieve is creating a better practice ethos at the club which can only help future growth of the game here.”  There was more good news last December when Cobh were allocated a grant from the sports capital programme.  “Recently we obtained a significant sports capital grant of €56,500 which is earmarked for enhancing our club practice facilities and it will be happening at a very important stage of our progress.  Plans are currently being drawn up to advance the project commencing in the new year” said O’Sullivan.