Month: February 2025

Clonakilty is a West Cork Gem

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Clonakilty Officers Jim Scannell (President), Paul Crosbie (Captain) and Denise McCarthy (Lady Captain) pictured at the recent drive in.

Clonakilty Golf Club is a West Cork gem with major plans for 2025 and beyond.  Having started as a six hole course back in 1994, it subsequently extended to 9 holes ten years later.  That was extended to 14 holes and there are firm plans to extend to the full 18 holes.

Situated on the Cork side of Clonakilty, with the Argideen River winding through the course and Lisselan House and Gardens serving as a scenic backdrop, Clonakilty Golf Club is a charming course with it’s par signature par three 4th hole.  In 2023, the Golfers Guide of Ireland awarded the 9 hole Munster prize to Clonakilty Golf Club.  The first 6 hole layout was brought into being by previous owner David Blackburn, and current owner Colette Twomey saw the course expand further.  It was Blackburn’s original plan to build an 18 hole course in the estate back in 1990 only to find himself limited to six holes due to planning constraints.  Over 30 years later, it look’s like local entrepreneur Twomey will realise the original ambition, with designer Paul Walsh at an advanced stage of designing the new Continue reading →

Byrne off to a good start, Slievenamon set to close

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Sara Byrne (Pic. Brian Arthur)

Sara Byrne got her 2025 season off to a positive start with a top 25 finish on the Ladies European Tour in Morocco.  Byrne bagged over €5,400 but it could have been more as a final round 77 saw her drop a number of places on the leaderboard.  Rounds of 71 and 69 in the opening two days put the Douglas golfer inside the top ten.  A final round 77, which included a double bogey on the last.

On a positive note Byrne had 15 birdies for her 54 holes, an impressive total for the three days.  Byrne is unlikely to get into the field for this week’s Saudi Ladies International.  The tournament has a $5m purse and has attracted a top class field.  The 2024 Curtis Cup winner has status on the LET and the Epson Tour in the US.  It’s likely that Byrne will target the Epsom Tour when it starts in mid March.

Jack Murphy finished his first tournament in Hawaii on -8 but despite having a few good round he only finished in 38th place.  Murphy opened with a level par 72, mainly due to a tough opening nine that saw him record four bogies.  He improved with two rounds in the 60’s, a three under Continue reading →

Jack Murphy scores a top ten finish in California

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Jack Murphy got his 2025 off in good fashion last week with a top ten performance in his first event of the new year.  Murphy closed the 54 hole Southwestern Invitational in California with an impressive four under par 67, which included five birdies after an early bogey.  After an opening 74, Murphy scored his first under par round of the year with a 70 in the second round. He bettered that again on Wednesday with his 67.

Jack’s head coach Alan Murray was delighted with the performance.  “Jack played sensational and to be so competitive in a field this strong is something that should give him huge confidence and self-belief,” Murray said.  “His four-under round today was one of the most impressive rounds I have seen from a college player. The guys battled hard again today and it was a step forward for us.” Continue reading →