Douglas Golf Club hosted it’s first fully professional tournament in a few decades last week when the Irish Region PGA Open Series took place.  This was the only event to take place in Cork in 2023 and was the 35^th event in a packed schedule of tournaments.  The tournament was played from the challenging par 70 Black Course, and with Douglas in great condition for the event, there was some very positive feedback from the players.

Despite playing 36 holes over two days there was a tie at the top.  Nicky Grant shot a second round 66 to get to -7 but Ryan Gribben had a six under par round for 64 to also get to -7.  Unlike most Irish Region events, there was no sharing of the win and both golfers headed to the first tee for a playoff.  Both players nearly drove the green on the 19^th, but it was Grant from Clandeboye who won.  He ended up with a tap in birdie thanks to an impressive approach.

Simon Thornton from Spa Golf Club and Colm Moriarty from Glasson were the golfers to catch after the opening round.  Both shot rounds of 65 to finish on -5 at the halfway stage.  Both golfers had to settle for a share of third place after the both carded level par 70’s on day two.

Colin Maguire from the home club was the best placed Cork golfer.  Maguire is just embarking on his PGA training and had a 66 (-4) on day two to jump almost 30 places on the leaderboard after an opening 76.  David Ryan from East Cork also finished on 142 after rounds of 69 and 73.

The PGA Open series was launched in 2022, and the 36 hole event had an impressive prize fund of €23,000.  The series involves seven 36-hole tournaments, played across all Great Britain & Ireland PGA regions.  It was launched to provide PGA Members with access to top level competition no matter where they are located, to encourage member participation in regional tournaments and to improve prize fund opportunities for members.

The tournament in Douglas achieved its objectives, and had an impressive field of 75 PGA Ireland members taking part.  Six of the 11 Cork golfers made the top 40 to earn a share of the prize fund.  Padraig Dooley was 23^rd while Wayne O’Callaghan, Davey Barry and Shane Irwin all finished inside the top 40.

With only a limited number of events in the Munster region, there’s no Cork PGA Pro challenging for the order of merit this year.  Waterville’s David Higgins leads the charge after four wins, including his third Irish PGA Championship which he won in Carne in August.  David Ryan is the best placed Cork golfer, he’s inside the top 20.