Cork Golf Centre has seen a major upgrade in 2020 with golfers now benefitting from better lighting and a longer hitting area. The centre just outside Ballincollig used the two lockdowns to implement some planned improvements, and it’s been a busy place since the recent reopening. When the centre opened in May 2017 it was a much needed addition to the western side of the city. It was within easy reach of a large number of golfers stretching from the city to Macroom. David Keating was behind the development and his vision was to provide golfers of all levels with a Continue reading
Month: December 2020
Stafford Skills Up

Ian Stafford who has been busy planning the 2018 staging of the Pro Shop Challenge at Kinsale Golf Club.
Picture: Niall O’Shea
2020 was a different year for everyone in golf, from course owners to golfers to professionals. With forced closures for over three months of the year, golf professionals were effectively shut down during the closures. While there were challenges, there were also opportunities and Kinsale based PGA Professional Ian Stafford definitely took advantage of the opportunities. As well as getting to spend more time with his family, Ian has continued his own habit of furthering his professional qualifications. Having started his PGA training in 2000, Stafford didn’t stop with his PGA qualification.
In 2016 he achieved Continue reading
Maurice takes the helm at Monkstown
It’s a few months since Maurice O’Meara joined the team in Monkstown, and the experienced golf club manager is settling into his hew role. Having previously worked as general manager in Killarney, Dooks and The Island, O’Meara has seen all aspects of the game in Ireland over the last 20 years. And the Dublin native jumped at the opportunity to take on the GM role in Monkstown when the vacancy arose during the summer. “During my years in golf club management and from my time in Dooks and Killarney, I would have had regular interaction with members of Monkstown as we had a lot of visiting groups from Cork and also a lot of dual members” explained Maurice. “What I would have heard of Monkstown was very positive, and this was very important in my decision to take up the role here. Like any club Monkstown has faced challenges over the last number of years, however the club is in a great place now, with a thriving membership. It’s been great to see the popularity of Continue reading