Author: niall@corkgolfnews.com

Closing date for nominations approaching, Munster Branch Officers & Provincial Council

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Munster Golf LogoThe 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

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Valerie Clancy

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 PANELSmartphones Direct
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

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Ryan and Foley share the honours in Dooks, Munster PGA Winter Series

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

pga-logoDavid 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-munster-pga

 

 

 

Dooks Launch for Munster PGA Winter Series

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

DooksThe 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

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Irish Intervarsity Championship

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.

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Munster Strokeplay Championship 2016Cathal 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.

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McSweeney and Butler in top ten at Intervarsities

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AIG Junior Cup Munster Finals

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

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DooksDooks 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 →

Douglas CS & Davis College through in Irish Schools Senior Championship

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Davis College Mallow ensured that the north Cork town are in with a chance to make it three Munster titles in a row as they have qualified along with Douglas Community School for the the Munster Finals.  Davis College were the winners in 2015 while neighbours Patrician Academy won in 2016.  Davis College topped the West Munster qualifiers in Killarney last month  and last week they beat Hamilton High School Bandon in the area final.  Douglas CS and Kinsale CS matched each other closely when only one stoke separated their respective schools teams in the qualifier at Fermoy.  Douglas Community School topped the leaderboard by one stroke and Continue reading →

2016 Mid West Alliance

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dromoland

Dromoland Golf Club

The Mid West Alliance has stepped up their competition this year, the organisers have changed the format to a 54 hole qualifier followed by a four round matchplay phase for the top sixteen qualifiers.  The 54/16 format as they are calling it is a huge undertaking and the great courses and generous prize-fund should see a large number of entries from Munster’s top golfers.  The entry fee is €135, it might seem a bit steep but when you consider the quality of the courses and the prises on offer, it’s a very reasonable price for the competition.  Entry is open to amateurs with a 0-9 handicap and PGA professionals.  The three strokeplay qualifying rounds take place at Nenagh (23rd October), Trump Doonbeg (6th November) and Dromoland (27th November).  The strokeplay rounds will be scored under the gross stableford format, therefore avoiding any Continue reading →