Martin Poucher claimed his first scratch cup in almost a decade when he won in Kinsale on Saturday.  The Limerick native was the only one to get around Farrangalway in level par in what was a very testing morning for golf.  The winner found himself three over par after 12 holes, but a massive 40 foot birdie putt dropped to start a charge to the finish.  Three more pars and two birdies followed, he birdied the last to get to level and that proved to be the winning score.

West Waterford’s Mark Shanahan was one behind the winner on +1 and Cork’s Jonathan O’Sullivan took third place with a 74.  James Walsh rounded off the prize winners in fourth place, he also shot a two over par 72.

Poucher has been living in Cork for a few years and recently moved from Monkstown to Kinsale.  “Yes I joined Kinsale in March and it’s going well. It’s a challenging course – especially with the wind, and they have good practise facilities so I’m enjoying it so far.”

The 2004 Castletroy Scratch Cup winner saw Kinsale bare its teeth and happy that he was able to meet the challenge.  “It was playing pretty tough, very windy and playing long with all the rain the previous few days so I was very happy with that score.” Kinsale had a strong field in place with over 40 golfers teeing it up on Saturday.

Muskerry’s John Waldron and Dave O’Donovan took the honours in Killarney on Saturday, winning the senior scratch cup which was held as a team event.  Played on both courses, the Muskerry pair came out on top by a single stroke.  The pair were part of the All Ireland winning Muskerry team that won the Barton Shield in 2014.

The 36 hole competition was held over both courses in Killarney.  The morning round consisted of a fourball on Killeen while the second round was an aggregate fourball on Mahony’s Point.  The inclusion of an aggregate score ensured that the eventual winners would be the strongest pair on the day.

As it happened the Muskerry duo led after shooting an opening 68, and rounds of 69 and 74 in the afternoon gave them a winning total of five under par on 211.  Second place went to Donal Considine and Senan Carroll who were one shot back, while Anton O’Callaghan and Mark Gazi were third.  John Waldron also won the best individual gross score thanks to his 69 on Mahonys Point.

Robert White from Fota Island who recently won the Macroom Senior Scratch Cup with a score of level par 71.  White birdied 3 of the last 4 holes to claim a one shot victory.  There are just two senior scratch cups left in 2023.  On Saturday 30th September Douglas will hold their annual 36 hole scratch cup, the event is sponsored by Douglas Pro Shop and Golf Strong and entries can be made via the pro shop.  On Sunday 1st October Doneraile will hold their popular senior scratch cup.

Raffeen Creek held their scratch cups on Saturday.  Originally planned as a two day event, the rain on Friday closed the course meaning there was just one day of play.  The Junior Scratch Cup was won by Kevin Maguire who shot a 75.  He needed a better back nine to win as Jamie Berry and James Galavan also finished with 75.  Brian McCarthy won best nett.  Sean Kelly took the honours in the intermediate scratch cup, winning with a score of 75.  He beat John O’Byrne on the back nine with Bertie O’Sullivan taking third place with a 78.  Thomas Daly won the nett prize with a  64.  The minor scratch cup was won by Paul McCarthy who finished with a score of 43 points.  Pat Delea was second with 39 point and Michael Fahy took third place, also with 39 points.

Three Cork golfers have made the journey to Portrush this week to compete in the North of Ireland.  Now moved to September, the event is now a 72 hole stroke play competition.  David Howard (Fota Island), James Walsh (Douglas) and James Murray (Lee Valley) are all playing the championship Dunluce course today and will hope to make the cut for the two rounds to be completed tomorrow.

Karl Bornemann and John O’Brien are back in International action this week, they have travelled to West Kilbride in Scotland for the Seniors Home Internationals which started on Tuesday.  The Cork duo are joined by Jim Carvill (Banbridge), Jody Fanagan (Milltown),David Mulholland (Castlerock), Declan O’Neill (Grange) and Peter Sheehan (Ballybunion).  European champion Alison Taylor (Malahide) is selected in the Women’s team alongside Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna), Lisa Cullen (Beaufort), Tracy Eakin (Dooks), Gertie McMullen (The Island), Deirdre Walsh (Milltown) and Laura Webb (Royal Portrush).