Kinsale’s John Murphy had a pretty special bank holiday weekend, Murphy was in Portugal for the Darren Clarke Champions Weekend. As winner of the Munster Youths in August, Murphy was invited to take part in the event which was hosted by the Amendoeira Golf Resort in the Algarve. The 18 winners from the top youths, boys and girls competitions in 2016 invited for the three day trip. Rachel Thompson, Mairead Martin and Valerie Clancy also earned invitations after their performances this year. After a 4am start in Dublin airport on Friday morning, the golfers met Clarke on arrival at the golf club and played golf with the Ryder Cup Captain three times over the two days. Although vastly experienced at top level national and international boys golf, Murphy admitted that it was a pretty special experience. “We went over to the golf club and Darren introduced himself to us. It was kind of weird at the start, but I got used to it after a few hours” said Murphy who is now a student in Maynooth. “We played 18 holes with Darren playing with us and watching us, pointing Continue reading
Author: niall@corkgolfnews.com
Changes ahead for Fernhill members
The members of Fernhill Golf Club in Carrigaline received a shock last week when they were informed that the owners would not be renewing club memberships in January 2017. Having confirmed 2017 membership terms only a few weeks ago, the latest from the owners is that they can no longer fund the ongoing losses. It’s unclear if the course will close from January or if it will revert to a pay and play facility. In recent years the owners developed a covered driving range and short game area.
This is second time that the club is facing closure. At the outset of planning for the N28 over a decade ago, the owner decided not to renew the arrangement with the club members. At that stage there was speculation that the course may be used for development, but it continued to operate as a pay and play facility. In 2007 the club was re-established and it was also re-affiliated with the Golfing Union of Ireland. A ladies club was also established.
The revised route for Continue reading
Closing date for nominations approaching, Munster Branch Officers & Provincial Council
The closing date for nominations for the Provincial Council of the Munster Branch is Tuesday next 1st November. Nominations are currently open for the 17 provincial council positions, as well as the four officer posts. Chairman John Moloughney will be leaving the post as he goes on to take up the role of President Elect of the Golfing Union of Ireland.
The Annual Delegates Meeting of Munster Golf takes place on Tuesday 29th November 2016 at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, at an later time of 6.30p.m. by popular demand.
Meeting Notice:
Submission of Notice (s) of Motion for discussion at the Annual Delegates Meeting are to be received no later than Tuesday 18th October 2016 at 5.00pm. Submission for Club’s Nominee(s) for position of Officers (4) and Members of the Provincial Council (17) are to be received before Tuesday lst November 2016 by 5.00pm.
Submission of Delegates so appointed by your Club to attend the Annual Delegates Meeting are to be received no later than Tuesday the l5th Noveber 2016 by 5.00pm.
Each Club shall be entitled to Delegate Representation on the Branch in proportion to the number of Members in respect of whom Union Subscriptions and Provincial Levies have been paid as stated in its last Annual Return to the Union, and according to the following scale:
(a) Up to 100 Members One Delegate
(b)From 101 to 200 Members Two Delegates
(c)From 201 to 400 Members Three Delegates
(d)From 401 Members and Up Four Delegates
(e)University Club One Delegate
No club shall be entitled to more than four Delegates
Any queries please contact the office on 022 21026
Martin, Clancy, Thompson & Byrne named on ILGU Panels
Valerie Clancy
The ILGU announced their coaching panels for 2016/2017 and there was good news for several Cork golfers. Valerie Clancy and Mairead Martin were both named on the ILGU High Performance panel for 2017. It’s a great achievement for both girls as they have continued to improve through the 2016 season.
2016 was also a breakthrough for Cork’s Rachel Thompson who was added to the funded performance panel for the year ahead. The high performance panel has the stated objective of developing world class players while the funded performance panel is aimed at encouraging golfers to compete at international level, at individual and team events. Thompson, Martin and Clancy all featured on the Irish Girls team that won the home internationals in Wales earlier this year.
Sara Byrne (Douglas) was named on the Horizon coaching panel which is aimed at supporting and developing younger players, and preparing them for the transition to the high performance panel in years to come. The ILGU are currently in the process of developing the new structure with the regional professionals with a view to rolling out the revised plans early in the new year.
HIGH PERFORMANCE PANEL
Ciara Casey
Valerie Clancy
Maria Dunne
Paula Grant
Leona Maguire*
Mairead Martin
Julie McCarthy
Niamh McSherry
Olivia Mehaffey*
Annabel Wilson
(*Denotes US based players)
FUNDED PERFORMANCE PANEL
Georgia Carr
Louise Coffey
Elisa Corcoran
Mary Doyle
Meadhbh Doyle
Kate Dwyer
Emma Forbes
Alice Hutchinson
Lisa Maguire
Jessica Ross
Chloe Ryan
Sinead Sexton
Rachel Thompson
Lauren Walsh
HORIZON PERFORMANCE PANEL
Sara Byrne
Beth Coulter
Aine Donegan
Anna Foster
Kate Lanigan
Niamh O’Dwyer
Canice Screene
Ryan and Foley share the honours in Dooks, Munster PGA Winter Series
David Ryan (Cahir Park) and David Foley (Dromoland Castle) came joint top in Dooks today in the first outing of the Munster PGA Winter Series. The two David’s were the only golfers to finish under par, shooting an impressive 70 in cool windy conditions. The pair had a four shot cushion over the field. Dooks was in great condition for the Ping sponsored event which attracted PGA professionals from all over the province. Third prize was shared between Limerick’s Tim Rice and Tralee’s John Sugrue after they both finished with a 74. Rice will miss the next outing as he’ll be in Tarragona, Spain hoping to earn a place at final qualifying for then European Tour. Rice qualified for the second qualifying stage last month, and will be hoping for another good performance there. Monkstown’s Cian McNamara and his amateur partner Alec O’Donnell took the pro-am prize.
The next event on the PGB sponsored schedule takes place in Killarney on Monday 7th December. After Killarney its on to Dromoland, and Castlemartyr will host the final event before Christmas in December.
Waterville’s David Higgins missed today’s competition as he’s in action in the PGA Playoffs, being held in Saunton Golf Club in Devon. Higgins carded and opening round of 72 (+1) and is in the top ten just three shots off the lead. The 72 hole event continues tomorrow.
Dooks Launch for Munster PGA Winter Series
The Munster PGA Winter Series gets underway this week with a visit for the first time to Dooks. The Glenbeigh course will hold the first event of the calendar on Monday next which is a pro-am. The event is sponsored by Ping and a large number of entrants is expected. Dooks’ resident professional Danny Sugrue will be hoping to take advantage of his extensive local knowledge, but Liam Higgins could also make that claim so it should be a very competitive event. It’s been a busy few weeks for the Munster PGA committee and Captain Stephen Hayes. They have been planning an extended series of eight events which will take place from October to March. As well as prizes form each competition, golfers will also be competing for the PGB Order of Merit.
The playing schedule reflects the lack of nationals events and a time of year where most Pro’s will have the opportunity to get out and play. “The Munster PGA is for any PGA Professionals working in or from the Munster Area.” explained Hayes. “It’s an opportunity for Golf Professionals to meet during the quiet months. It is very competitive and you need to shoot Continue reading
Hickey wins Intervarsity Championship at Lahinch
John Hickey (CIT) and Chloe Ryan (UCD) winners of the Irish Intervarsity Championship, Lahinch Golf Club, Clare, Ireland. Picture: Golffile | Fran Caffrey
John Hickey (CIT) captured the Irish Intervarsity Championship today after he put together a great six under par round. After shooting a flawless 68 yesterday, the Cork Golf Club golfer went two better today. Hickey had a steady front nine and turned on two under thanks to birdies on the 4th and 7th. He parred the 10th and then had three consecutive birdies to get to five under for the day. He added another birdie on the 18th to get to nine under for the tournament. Hickey had to sit on the clubhouse lead while the last three groups played out the final holes. Overnight leader Jack McDonnell was the closest challenger, nut he had a very mixed opening nine, and a bogey on the 15th dropped him back to -7. He did birdie the last but that meant that the CIT golfer won his first national title by one stroke. Cathal Butler (Maynooth) slumped to a 77 after a disappointing back nine, he finished in a tie for 9th place alongside James Sugrue (CIT) who shot a 72 in Continue reading
Butler moves up to second place at Lahinch, Inter-Varsity Championship Day 2.
Cathal Butler (Maynooth) added a second 69 today at round two of the inter-varsities in Lahinch, and he no in second place just two shots off the lead. Munster Youths winner Jack McDonnell is the leader on -8 after recording a 67 in his second round. First round leader Kyle McCarron shot a 72 which sees him remain in second place level with Butler.
John Hickey (CIT) shot one of the low rounds of the day with a 68. The Cork GC Barton Shield member had a flawless four under par round with birdies on the 4th, 5th and 9th, and he added a fourth on the 12th. The round saw Hickey jump back into the top ten. James Sugrue added a level par 72 to his opening 71 and he’s in 15th place going into the final round. Adam McSweeney (CIT) dropped back today after a 76, he’s on +1 in a tie for 18th place.
Golffile.ie Intervarsity Championship Day 2 Gallery
Kieran Lynch (Maynooth) just make the cut on +4 but John Murphy (Maynooth) was one shot outside it on +5. Timmy Broderick, John Boylan and Conor Roche were also among the golfers to miss the cut. In the ladies competition, Paula Walsh missed the cut after an 82 in the second round.
McSweeney and Butler in top ten at Intervarsities
Adam McSweeney (CIT/Douglas)
Adam McSweeney (CIT) and Cathal Butler (Maynooth) lead the Cork challenge at the Inter Varsity Championship aft both shot 69’s in today’s first round. Lahinch was in great condition for the opening round and the benign weather made for some good scoring. Kyle McCarron (Maynooth) led the way with a great 66.
McSweeney had seven birdies in a colourful round. A double bogey on the 6th hurt, as did a bogey on the 17th when he was standing on -4. Cathal Butler had a tough start with bogies on the first and second, but he soon made up for it with an eagle on the 4th. Six birdies followed but three dropped shots meant that he signed for a 69. Both are well inside the top ten going into the second round.
Golffile.ie Inter Varsities Gallery Round 1
James Sugrue (CIT) was out early this morning and finished with a one under par 71, an eagle on the last brought him back into red figures and he’s in 12th place going into the second round. John Hickey (CIT) is two shots back Continue reading
Dooks Society Challenge
Dooks are running a special open society competition at the end of the month, and the prize is a society outing for 16 people next year. The event is sure to be popular with Cork golfers and take place on Saturday 29th October. The format is a team of four competition and it will give societies a great way to round off their year. Although the October rack rate for green fees is still €75, the entry fee is only €50 and that includes a breakfast bap and dinner. As well as the society challenge, Dooks also have an open day on Friday next (21st) with the entry fee set at a tempting €40 per golfer. The West Kerry links course is often regarded as a hidden gem in comparison with it more famous neighbours of Waterville, Ballybunion and Tralee. The team in Dooks have been working hard to develop their own brand and as a result they have had a very busy summer season. The Iveragh peninsula is an exciting golf destination as many golfers will be waiting to see what changes have been made by Robert Trent Jones Jnr to the old Skellig Bay course. Ron Kirby of Old Head and Castlemartyr Continue reading
Cork Golf News 