Month: November 2023

Ann Heskin, a golfing legend

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Ann Heskin

A true legend of Irish golf passed away last week, Ann Heskin of Douglas, Munster and Ireland fame was an important and influential figure in the game for several decades.

Heskin had a positive impact on the game across three separate facets, she was an accomplished player, an astute team captain, and a committed administrator.  She represented Ireland as a player, team captain and selector, and she was President of the ILGU in 2005 following 15 years of service in provincial and national roles.  She was also a member of the executive of the Ladies Golfing Union prior to becoming President of the ILGU.

Her contribution to golf spanned over 40 years.  Originally she took up the game in the 1940’s but it was when she joined Douglas in 1963 that she Continue reading →

Pro Shop Challenge Cheques Presented

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Rory Best, Ian Stafford, Ger Broderick and John Murphy pictured after completing the Pro Shop Challenge in Kinsale. Pic:  Niall O’Shea

The proceeds from the 2023 Pro Shop Challenge were recently presented to the beneficiaries, with two local Cork charities benefiting from over €20,000 each.  Cork ARC and Breakthrough Cancer Research were both selected as the charities that would benefit from the event, and both have strong links to the core of the event which was held in memory of Darragh Ryan.  Darragh was involved in the original Kinsale Pro Shop Challenge when he was raising funds for Special Olympics.  Sadly Darragh passed away in late 2022 after a battle with cancer.  Darragh’s uncle, Ian Stafford set about creating a special Pro Shop Challenge for 2023.  Firstly he managed to sign up Irish International Rory Best along with Kinsale tour Continue reading →

Wet Weather in East Cork

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Pictured on a dry spring day, the 12th at East Cork Golf Club.  Pic: Niall O’Shea

The recent wet weather has not been kind to Cork golf courses, with many closed at different times over the past two weeks.  While Midleton and Glanmire were in the news, the heavy rain also had a devastating impact on East Cork Golf Club.  Close to 30 centimetres of rain fell on the course, and when feeder streams to the Owenacurra burst its banks a large part of the course was underwater.

Head greenkeeper Alex Newenham explained the impact of the heavy rain on the course.  “The day of Storm Babet saw the two rivers that border it burst their banks.  Our 12th fairway and 13th and 15th fairways Continue reading →

Mark Healy, the Tusculum Pioneer

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Mark Healy pictured with Morgan Cain after their win.

Mark Healy’s journey to Tennessee started out as a college student and while the journey isn’t over, Mark is now director of the golf programme he was playing in just two years ago.  Healy first went to Tennessee in 2019 after finishing his Leaving Certificate in Hamilton High School.  Although it was Covid interrupted, Mark played for three years on the golf team, racking up a few top twenty results for the Division 2 college.

In addition to his golf exploits, Mark also secured a degree in economics.  And when he decided to stay on to pursue a post graduate degree, he took on a role of associate coach with the golf Continue reading →