Month: July 2018
Register of Interests
It may not be of interest to many, but it’s in my interest to publish what I do, why I do it, and who pays. I started covering local golf for the Evening Echo in 2004. Soon after that I developed a presence on social media, and in early 2014 I developed the corkgolfnews.com website*.
I am delighted to say that I am still a contributor to The Echo, and really thankful for their support over 18 years. Over the last two decades I have had the great pleasure of meeting many fine people involved in the sport from leading journalists to course managers, from top amateurs to leading Irish professionals, from passionate 15 year olds, to even more passionate 65 year olds. I’ve met a huge number of passionate club members and advocates, and overall I have to say that the vast majority have been sound. And that’s my rule, I like dealing with sound people.
I don’t make a fortune from this, as many of you know I do have a full time job. It’s probably fair to say that it’s a hobby with benefits. Transparency is important, and that’s why this page is here, if you have any specific questions please email me, niall@corkgolfnews.com
My Interests
I am a paid contributor for The Echo and provide a weekly page of local golf news. I occasionally submit photographs and copy for the Irish Examiner.
I provide other national outlets and journalists with photographs to promote Cork and Munster golf when I take pictures at events. I am not generally remunerated for these pictures.
In certain situations I take photographs at club events by request and charge a modest fee for these services. I have worked in the past in a PR support capacity for clubs, the GUI and specific events. The pictures on the website are offered for sale, but I have not charged for emailed or printed photographs for a number of years (lets just say it wasn’t a key source of revenue).
Since 2021 I have volunteered at events for Golf Ireland, and claim allowed expenses in line with the published policies. This sometimes coincides with the general coverage I provide but not always.
On occasion I receive offers of free or reduced price golf and although I don’t play a huge amount of golf, I have availed of these. I have benefitted from discounts on golf clothing, clubs and mobile phone repairs (don’t ask…), and on occasion I have reciprocated with ads on the website. I don’t solicit complimentary golf or merchandise, and I have never asked for a quid-pro-quo arrangement. I will admit that I have been known to help myself to a coffee or two in numerous on-course pro-shops (thanks lads…) .
I pay WordPress for this website, I also pay Google and Flickr for hosting. I have a large collection of rapidly ageing second-hand cameras and lenses, and a larger collection of banged up and obsolete laptops. These were all purchased by me. I do not have advertisers or sponsors but this is an area I may need to develop as costs rise.
And that’s about it. This is not meant to be definitive or exhaustive, for anyone that’s interested I hope it gives you an idea of how and why I do this. I may or may not be doing this in 5 or 10 years time, but as long as I’m doing it I hope I can continue to do it my way.
Niall O’Shea
Updated June 2022
Reviewed July 2023 (no revisions)
*and if you’re wondering what the asterix means, ask me the next time you see me
AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield :: Munster Finals 2018
Gallery: Munster Boys 2018, R2
Pictures from Waterford Castle: Continue reading
Cork Golf Centre continues to grow
It’s well over a year since Cork Golf Centre opened and it that time it’s become a favourite destination for golfers. While it boasts one of Cork’s largest ranges, there’s much more on offer than just the 20 driving bays. High quality driving mats, ample space and top quality Srixon balls make for a good experience for anyone just practicing, and there are plenty of distance targets including a set of goal posts. The goal posts were the brainchild of Cork hurling fan David Keating. Dave is the Head Professional in Killarney but he was also the man behind the reopening of the facility in Ballincollig. When it opened in May 2017, Keating had a vision of creating a one stop shop, something more than just a basic range were you could hit balls. In addition to being able to buy a bucket of balls, there are PGA’s professionals available for lessons, a golf specific fitness gym and a private room for performance coaching. Resident coaches Wayne O’Callaghan and Liam Burns are hand to provide lessons, Francis Courtney provides a TPI based golf fitness programme from his dedicated onsite gym while Continue reading
AIG Barton Shield :: South Munster 2018
O’Keeffe & Sugrue through in North of Ireland, Murphy opens with 68 in Euro’s
Peter O’Keeffe and James Sugrue are safely through to the matchplay stage of the North of Ireland, comfortably finishing in the top 64 from the mammoth field of 300 golfers. O’Keeffe carded rounds of 68 and 70 over both courses in Royal Portrush to finish on -5 and in a tie for 4th place. The Douglas man fired in eight birdies and an eagle over the two rounds and if he can continue in that form he should extend his time in Portrush. He’s currently in action against Haryey Byers from Walton Heath in the first matchplay round.
North of Ireland Matchplay Draw
James Sugrue continued his good form with a top 13 finish in the strokeplay qualifier. He shot rounds of 68 and 72 to book his place in the matchplay where he faces Marc Norton from Belvoir Park this morning. There was disappointment for Cathal Butler as he finished just one shot outside qualification on +3, and there was no joy for Continue reading
All the Winners… Irish Golfer Events at Cork Golf Club
RESULTS / CORK GOLF CLUB 6th July
Category #1 (Up to 11 Handicap)
1st Place – Martin Devlin (10) 39 pts – Taylormade M3 Driver
2nd Place – Ben Harte (5) 38 pts – Taylormade M3 Three-wood
3rd Place – John O’Sullivan (4) 37 pts – Taylormade M3 Rescue
Category #2 (12-24 handicap / 36 ladies)
1st Place – Liam Hickey (12) 47 pts – Taylormade M4 Driver
2nd Place – Eugene Ryan (12) 40 pts – Taylormade M4 Three-wood
3rd Place – Mary R. Barry (21) 39 pts – Taylormade M4 Rescue
Best Gross
Kieran Kennedy (Scr) 74 – GolfBuddy GPS
Nearest The Pin
13th Hole – Mick O’Toole – Motocaddy S5 Connect
Longest Drive
Lar Ryan – TaylorMade Stand Bag
Pro Shop Challenge returns to Kinsale
The Pro Shop Challenge returns to Kinsale Golf Club this month, this will be the third staging of the very popular charity fundraising event. The brainchild of Ian Stafford and Cathal Butler, the challenge started in 2016 with Ian and Cathal partnering with Ger Broderick and John Murphy respectively. The amateurs took the win that year, the young guns took an early lead and never looked back as the the confidence of youth helped them to wrap up a win. Most importantly the event raised over €3,000 for Special Olympics. Delighted with their efforts in 2016, Butler and Murphy spearheaded the second staging of the event last year. This time however their wings were clipped. Broderick and Stafford used all of their experience and knowledge to take down the cocky amateurs, beating them by a clear margin in the end. Both professionals, who were involved first hand in the coaching and development of Butler and Murphy, were delighted to beat the amateurs in front of a huge crowd in Kinsale. Yet again the main winner was the charity partner. Marymount Hospice was the selected beneficiary and over €3,000 was handed over after the event. With the series score at 1-1, interest is building in this years competition. The event was first proposed by Ian Stafford who quickly enlisted a core team to turn the idea into an event. Keeping the event going is now the priority for Ian. “With the third edition this year, the fact that the pro’s managed to win last year has given the event this year a heightened sense of interest” said Ian Stafford. “The event needs to stay competitive to be a success. Having said that both Ger and I have thoroughly enjoyed our year as Champions Continue reading
Strong finish for Sugrue in Final Qualifying
James Sugure finished in the top 15 at final qualifying for The Open at St Anne’s Old Links on Tuesday. The Mallow golfer has had a busy two weeks, covering the British Amateur, playing Senior Cup for Mallow in Cork Golf Club, and then playing Co Louth, Rosapenna, and St Annes in quick succession. With only three spots available for the Open, qualification was always against the odds, and Sugrue found himself four over after his opening nine holes. He recovered two shots on the back nine to finish the opening round on +3. James got his second round off to a blistering start, with four birdies in his first five holes. He dropped a few shots in the middle of the round but finished strongly, closing with two birdies and an eagle. A second round 67 saw him jump over twenty places, in fact Sugrue had nine birdies and an eagle in his final 27 holes. Speaking after the qualifier, James cited the lack of a practice round as a critical reason for the difference between both rounds.
Sugrue through to Final Qualifying for 147th Open
It’s been an interesting few weeks for Sugrue, he made it to the last 32 in the British Amateur but missed on the Irish team for the European Team Championships. He bounced back by shooting a 64 in Co Louth in regional qualifying for the Open and he finished 25th in a strong field in Rosapenna last weekend during the Irish Open qualifier. Sugrue will no doubt be hoping to convert his current form into a win, and push for selection on the Irish team for the Home Internationals. With the North of Ireland taking placee next week in Royal Portrush and the South of Ireland in Lahinch later in July where Sugrue is the reigning champion, there will be plenty of opportunities for the young Mallow man.
Cork Golf News 