Author: niall@corkgolfnews.com

Walsh helps Ireland to win over England

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Munster Under 15/17 Close Championship, Carrick on Suir Golf Club, Thursday 4th August 2016Mallow’s Edward Walsh won his singles match yesterday as Ireland had a great win over England.  Castletown Golf Links on the Isle of Man was the venue for the Under 16 international match.  It was a dramatic final day on the Isle of Man as Ireland battled back from a 5-3 deficit.  Ian Halpin held his nerve at the last to seal a one hole win against Callum Macfie to tilt the match in Ireland’s favour.

England had taken control on the opening day thanks to a five-point return and a dominant display in the morning foursomes, which they won 3-1. Both sides claimed two points from the fourball matches in the afternoon leaving England leading 5-3 going into the singles session on Sunday.  Although Michael Gilbert increased England’s lead, taking the top match by one hole, Ireland under-16 champion spearheaded Ireland’s revival as the visitors dominated the middle order.  Sean Enright, Scott Jones, Edward Walsh and Halpin all came through for Ireland to secure an overall victory.

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Swing into Oktober with Golfest at Fota Island Resort

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Fota-Sign_1Fota Island have used the Oktober theme to launch a new golf and food offer for the month of October.  For €59 golfers can avail of Golfest which includes 18 holes of golf, the special Golfest menu at the recently refurbished Clubhouse and a pint of Chieftan IPA.  In addition to the offer, there are several prizes to be won, including a bumper trip to Germany.  The golfer with the best score registered at the end of the month will win the top prize of a weekend trip for two to Munich including flights and accommodation.  Other prizes include a weekend break for two at Fota Island Resort and also dinner for four at The Kingsley.  The offer is available seven days a week, although tee times may be limited on certain days.

Fota Island Resort was the host venue for the Irish Open on three occasions.  The three championship golf course layouts are set in beautiful parkland scenery, and are maintained to the very highest of standards to ensure golfers enjoyment this Oktober.  The offer also includes a special Golfest menu.  Embracing the tradition of Oktoberfest the menu features chicken schnitzel, bratwurst with a sourdough baguette or venison hotpot.  Served with a pint of Chieftain IPA, it’s the perfect end to a long Autumn day spent on the golf course.  Advance booking is required in order to avail of the special rate and offer.  While many courses will be seeing a natural drop off in traffic over the coming months, Fota will remain a busy place.  The extensive sanding programme, which has been taking place for over 15 years has ensured a consistent playing experience for golfers all year around.  The Academy will also see a large increase in traffic over the winter as golfers move from play to practice.  As well as covered and open driving bays and a large range, the Academy features an extensive short game area.

 

 

 

Walsh and Egan named on Irish Boys Panels

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Munster Under 15/17 Close Championship, Carrick on Suir Golf Club, Thursday 4th August 2016Mallow’s Edward Walsh had more good news this today when he was confirmed as a member of the Irish Boys (Under 18) panel for 2018.  Walsh has moved on the Under 16 panel and is one of just two Cork golfers to make the national panels.  Muskerry’s Jack Egan has made the Under 16 panel.

Both Walsh and Egan were members of the Munster Under 16 team who won the Internprivincials earlier this year.
NATIONAL BOYS (U18) PANEL 2016-2017

Reece Black (Hilton Templepatrick), Jack Hearn (Tramore), Andrew Mullhall (Waterford Castle), Mark Power (Kilkenny), Cameron Raymond (Newlands), John Brady (Rosslare), Edward Walsh (Mallow), Robert Moran (Castle), Jack Madden (Dungannon), Sean Enright (Limerick), Jack Doherty (Carton House), Ross Kelly (Tuam)

 

NATIONAL BOYS U16 PANEL 2016-2017

Luke O’Neill (Connemara), Odhran Maguire (Slieve Russell), Sean Doyle (Black Bush), Aaron Marshall (Lisburn), Josh Black (Hilton Templepatrick), Tom McKibbin (Holywood), Keaton Morrison (Holywood), Sam Murphy (Portumna), Josh Mackin (Dundalk), Conor Byrne (Strabane), Jack Egan (Muskerry), Patrick Callaghan (Castle Dargan)

2016 Boys Interprovincial Championship at Tullamore Golf Club

Kevin Murray (Team Captain) and John Fennessy (Team Manager) with the victorious Munster Under16 boys team (from left) Ian Halpin, Fred Twomey (Provincial Coach), Jack Egan, Charlie Dawson, Jonathan Keane, Sean Enright and Edward Walsh at the 2016 Boys Interprovincial Championship matches at Tullamore Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PANEL 2016-2017

Allan Hill (Athenry), Eoin Murphy (Dundalk), Liam Power (Galway), Jonathan Keane (Lahinch), David Kitt (Athenry), Scott Jones (Belvoir Park)

 

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O’Keeffe wins Doneraile Senior Scratch Cup

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peter-okeeffe-donerailePeter O’Keeffe notched up his third Senior Scratch Cup win this month with a fine 67 in Doneraile today.  O’Keeffe finished with a one under par 67, despite carding two bogeys and a double bogey.  The Douglas man did have five birdies which did help the card and he was cruising nicely until the 11th when he had a double after trying to go for the par 4 green.

 

After wins in Kinsale and Castlymartyr earlier this month, O’Keeffe is definitely on form.  He had a two shot winning margin over Irish Seniors International Michael Quirke who finished on 69.  Apart from the winner, the home club too the rest of the prizes,  David Finn finished on 72 and the nett prize was won by Hugh Dolan with a 68.

Doneraile Senior Scratch Cup, sponsored by Eilys Bar

  1. Peter O’Keeffe 67
  2. Michael Quirke 69
  3. Dave Finn 72
  4. Hugh Dolan 68 (Best Nett)

Long Read: O’Keeffe takes golf fitness to new level

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O’Keeffe Golf Fitness has opened a new location and has added to the services available to golfers of all levels.

okeeffe-golf-fitness-sept-2016_4

Peter O’Keeffe training with the help of Trackman 4 at Dennehy’s Blackpool. Picture: Niall O’Shea

Although he’s only just over 12 months into a new career, Peter O’Keeffe has carved out a brand new market for golf fitness.  And that market is growing rapidly, O’Keeffe now has two locations providing screenings and exercises based on the Titleist Performance Institute fitness programme.  O’Keeffe set up in Dennhey’s Douglas in mid-2015, and from a standing start with no clients, Peter saw the business grow rapidly which meant opening a dedicated golf section when Dennehy’s were planning to open a new gym in Blackpool.  With dedicated training areas for golf fitness clients in both Douglas and Blackpool, Mark O’Connell has also come on board to deal with the growing demand for golf specific fitness training.  When Peter started in Douglas he was using the existing infrastructure, the gym and a large room which was normally used for classes.  As Blackpool was a new fit –out, this gave him the opportunity to develop a customised gym and golf performance room.  The performance room has a driving bay, and with the help of state of the art Trackman technology, O’Keeffe can not only observe the movement but he can also track results.  Detailed notes and statistics can be kept on mobility, speed and flexibility as well as the results from the simulated shots in the driving bay.  The customised gym provides golfer with a dedicated area for golf specific training while there’s also access to the large gym.  “During the plans for our new gym in Blackpool we added a golf performance room in the plans” explained O’Keeffe.  “I always had the vision of a golfer coming for a physical assessment for golf but Continue reading →

Walsh named on Irish U16 Team to play England

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Edward Walsh

Mallow’s Edward Walsh

Mallow’s Edward Walsh got his due reward for a great Summer of golf today as he was named on an Irish Boys Under 16 team that will play England next week.  The Mallow golfer was the winner of the Munster Boys Under 17 Championship and he also featured on the winning Munster team at the Boys U16 Interprovincials.  This isn’t Walsh’s first trip abroad for golf as he featured in the Italian Under 16 Championship last month.

Ireland’s under-16s will play England at Castletown Links on the Isle of Man in an international match over two days from 7-8 October.  Irish Boys Champion Mark Power leads the eight players included in the Ireland team, which will play their English counterparts in a series of foursome, four ball and single matches.

Power is joined by Irish Under-16 champion John Brady as well as Jack Doherty, Sean Enright, Ian Halpin, Scott Jones, Luke O’Neill and Mallow’s Walsh. The teams will play foursome and four ball matches on the opening day with eight single matches to decide the outcome on the second day. Irish Boys Selectors Alasdair Gibson (Knock) and Kevin Raftery (Forrest Little) will accompany the team.

 

IRELAND U16 (v England, 7-8 October)
John Brady (Rosslare)
Jack Doherty (Carton House)
Sean Enright (Limerick)
Ian Halpin (Cahir Park)
Scott Jones (Belvoir Park)
Mark Power (Kilkenny)
Luke O Neill (Connemara)
Edward Walsh (Mallow)

Gallery: Munster U15/U17 Championship

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Long Read: Hayes at Home in Douglas

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Stephen Hayes pictured in action in Douglas Golf Club.Picture: Niall O'Shea

Stephen Hayes pictured in action in Douglas Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea

It’s six years since Stephen Hayes took the reins at Douglas Pro Shop, taking on the challenge of working in one of the oldest clubs in Cork.  The past six years haven’t been great for the golf industry but in that time the PGA Professional developed a large following.  Working from one of the busiest courses in the county, Hayes has built a strong business in what was a tough time for everyone involved in the business.  Being a club pro can be a demanding job, the shop must be open 364 days a year, and for up to 12 hours a day during the summer months.  Add to that the fact that you need to find cover for the shop if coaching or playing, or even taking a day off, and you’ll soon realise that a pro-shop can be a demanding business for a PGA Professional.  Over the past two years the retail landscape has changed, the internet has become a real alternative to the high street or on-course shop.  The high street Continue reading →

Ronnie Whelan Golf Classic at Douglas Golf Club

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The Annual Ronnie Whelan Golf Classic takes place this year in Douglas Golf Club.  A full timesheet is expected on Friday 7th October for the shotgun start.  Ronnie Whelan will be there along with a few of his former Liverpool teammates.  The event is in aid of Ovacare and is supported by Flogas, Harvey Norman,  RedFM and Rochestown Park Hotel.  Some places are available and anyone interested should contact Gary Keating on 087 2287541.

ronnie-whelan-sept-2016_2

Munoz wins in Spain with Keelan on the bag

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Azahara Munoz of Spain and her caddie celebrate in the terrace overlooking the course

Caddy Simon Keelan celebrates with Azahara Munoz after winning the Costa del Sol Open, Aloha Golf Club, Marbella, Spain 22-25 Sept. Picture: Tristan Jones/LET

Spain’s Azahara Munoz came from behind to win the LET Costa del Sol Open this weekend, with Corkman Simon Keelan caddying for the LPGA and LET professional.

It was a great turnaround for Munoz, who finished last of those who made the weekend at the Evian Championship last weekend.  Keelan has spent much of the summer caddying for the Spanish pro who has earned in excess of $5m in her six years on tour.    Munoz went into the final round one shot behind Beth Allen, after losing her 36 hole lead.  It looked as if Allen would run away with the tournament at one point when she was three ahead but a few unforced errors from the US golfer brought Munoz back into contention.

“Aza was very relaxed during the round, similar to all week really.” said Keelan speaking on Sunday evening after the tournament.  “It’s amazing when you think she had the weight of a nation’s expectations on her shoulders and no previous Spanish winner.  At the start of the day, after Allen’s back nine yesterday (-5, 31) I felt we needed a fast start and probably a 68 to get it done.  Allen went Continue reading →