Author: niall@corkgolfnews.com

Turner Showing Good Form on Asian Tour

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Niall Turner made a welcome return to competitive action when he finished in the top 15 on the Asian Tour last week.  Turner was in action in the rain affected Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Chinese Taipei.  32 year old Turner shot 66 in the second round to lie in 4th place in his best round of the season to date.  Although he finished outside the top ten, he won over $6,000 in his third start on the tour this year.

Niall Turner

Niall Turner

Turner has now moved on to Macau for the Venetian Macao Open where he will set his sights on another good finish which will improve his chances of retaining his full tour card.  The Corkman will be joined by Ireland’s Niall Kearney who’s enjoying a great spell of form that saw his challenge in the ET’s British masters at Woburn last week.

Speaking after the impressive second round 66 Turner had the following to say: “I played really well. I drove it nicely and hit my irons quite well. I was one-over after three holes but played really well after that. I was happy that we didn’t have to go out and play in that weather yesterday. I had a relaxing day.   Continue reading →

Spillane wins Doneraile Senior Scratch Cup

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Mallow’s Ian Spillane won the Doneraile Senior Scratch Cup.  He posted a winning 65 to win by one shot from Tim O’Mahony and Pat Murray.

Pic: Doneraile Golf Club

Pic: Doneraile Golf Club

Doneraile Senior Scratch Cup
1st Ian Spillane 65
2nd Tim O’Mahony 66
3rd Pat Murray 66
1st Nett Seamus Stack 62
2nd Nett Tadhg Heenan 65

Four Cork Golfers through in Irish PGA Championship

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David Ryan shot a very impressive five under par 67 in Dundalk Golf Club yesterday to jump up to fourth place at the Irish PGA Championship.

Irish PGA Championship Leaderboard

The second round was completed this morning and four Cork golfers have made it through to the third round.  Monkstown duo Cian McNamara and Graeme Dunlea both finished in the top 20 with two rounds left to play, but they are 14 shots off the lead set by Niall Kearney.  The defending champion has an eight shot lead over the field and is in a very .  Davey Barry (Douglas) also had a great second round, he need a good round after an opening 77, and he responded with a 70 in the weather delayed second round.  Padraig Dooley was unlucky to miss the cut, a bogey on the 18th cost him a place for the weekend.  The third round continues today.

Ryan leading Cork charge in Connemara Pro-Am

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David RyanDavid Ryan (Cahir Park) is the leading Cork professional after round one of the Connemara Pro-Am today.  Ryan was one of three Cork golfers to shoot under par, he recorded -2 for his round to lie in second place behind Neil O’Briain (Old Conna) on -5. Monkstown duo Cian McNamara and Graeme Dunlea were one shot behind on -1 and in a tie for 5th place.  Fernhill’s Wayne O’Callaghan shot a level par round for a share of 12th place and he too is in with a shot going into tomorrow’s final round.

Ryan had an uneventful front nine, in fact he carded 10 consecutive pars before he birdied the 11th.  He added birdies on the 14th and the 17th but he Continue reading →

AIG Challenge Cup Success for East Cork Ladies

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East Cork came good in the final to claim the AIG Insurance Challenge Cup after an impressive display against Mount Juliet writes Brendan Coffey.  

Pic: Pat Cashman

Pic: Pat Cashman

Teenager Rachel Rea set the tone for the champions with a comprehensive 8&7 victory in the back match. Suzanne Hickey was almost as convincing during her 4&3 win against Niamh Strudwick and Rachel Sheehan took the top match 3&2 in what was a superb team performance.

“I can’t say enough to praise them, they were absolutely awesome,” said team captain Frances O’Brien, who was thrilled with her side’s success. “They were a very good opposition. Our girls really had to be at the top of their game to beat them today.”

Champions two years ago, this was a new team for East Cork and 17-year-old Rea had to take time out from her final year of secondary school to be in Knightsbrook this week.  “Rachel’s after taking time out from her Leaving Cert, her mother gave her permission,” O’Brien revealed. “I think for us it seemed as if it went right to the wire because you’re not in until you’re in. it was just magnificent. East Cork keeps producing players and it’s a very competitive club.”  O’Brien and her team headed home to Midleton in high spirits after another memorable success.

Guest leads Lee Valley to All Ireland Title – AIG Intermediate Cup

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Valerie Hassett (President, ILGU) with the Lee Valley Team winners of the Intermediate Cup at the 2015 AIG Ladies Cups and Shields Finals at Knightsbrook Golf Club today (25/09/2015) . Picture by Pat Cashman

Valerie Hassett (President, ILGU) with the Lee Valley Team winners of the Intermediate Cup at the 2015 AIG Ladies Cups and Shields Finals at Knightsbrook Golf Club today (25/09/2015) . Picture by Pat Cashman

Wearing spikes rather than studs, former Irish rugby international Laura Guest found success all the same as she guided Lee Valley to All-Ireland glory.  Guest retired from international rugby last year after a 14-year career in the Irish jersey but she was celebrating another famous victory on Friday night.  A Grand Slam winner with the Irish ladies in 2013, Guest got her hands on an All-Ireland medal in the AIG Intermediate Cup Final at Knightsbrook when Lee Valley beat Malahide in the final at Knightsbrook.  “It’s a bit different here,” said Guest. “I absolutely love the golf.  I’m just lucky that we were here and lucky that we played well. It’s only really this last year that I’ve spent a bit of time playing, I never really had time before.”  Helen Hodson and Catherine O’Sullivan had won their matches comfortably, leaving Lee Valley just one point from overall victory.  Guest had the title in her hands and when she completed a 3&1 victory on the 17th the cup was going back to Cork.  “I couldn’t look at anybody there the last three holes, I just needed to stay focused,” said Guest, who had played in three World Cups with Ireland during her rugby career. Continue reading →

McNamara wins Oughterard Pro-Am

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Cian McNamaraCian McNamara was the joint winner of today’s Oughterard Pro-Am in Galway.  The Monkstown Head Professional carded a one under par total which included four birdies and three birdies.

McNamara, starting his round at the first, dropped a shot at the second but hit back with back to back birdies at the fifth and sixth before dropping his second shot of the day at the par three ninth.  Out in level par 35, the 28-year-old birdied the 11th and 15th on the back nine but a dropped shot at the 12th saw him home in one under 34.  Donal Gleeson (Old Conna Golf Club) also posted – to tie McNamara for the top spot.  Castlemartyr’s  Alan Gleeson and Monkstown’s Graeme Dunlea were part of a nine way for 11th place.  The Castlemartyr Assistant led his team to the amateur prize with a score of 94 points.

Oughterard Pro-Am Detailed Results

It’s McNamara’s second win on the Irish Region Tour this year and he’ll be hoping for another good round tomorrow as he’s in action in Connemara.  McNamara is the holder having won in 2014 and must be fancied for the 36 hole event.

Connemara Pro-Am Leaderboard

Skibbereen & West Carbery Golf Club Paints It Pink To Fight Breast Cancer

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pinkgolf_1000Skibbereen & West Carbery Golf Club’s inaugural “Paint It Pink” Golf Charity Classic will take place on Saturday 3rd October sponsored by Rowa Pharmaceuticals in support of Action Breast Cancer.

Open to mixed teams of 3 players, either 2 men and 1 lady or 2 ladies and 1 man, the Rowa Pink Golf Charity Classic will encourage all golfers to think pink, all for a great cause. Entry is open to members and their guests or visitors for just €15 per person.

Wear pink and win Best Dressed prize courtesy of Sean Murray’s of Skibbereen who will also be supplying pink bras on the day! Skibbereen & West Carbery Golf Club’s P.R.O. Rhona O’Donoghue encourages players to have a little fun and paint it pink: “Pink hats, pink socks, Continue reading →

Ger Halligan wins Oakley Series Final at Lee Valley

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Ger Halligan won the Oakley Open Singles Series final in Lee Valley yesterday and bagged a trip to the Portugal Masters next month.

Ger Halligan, winner of the Oakley Open Singles Series Final at Lee Valley Golf Club, pictured with Paul Keohane (Lee Valley) and Kieran O'Connor (Oakley). Monday 21st September 2015. Picture: Niall O'Shea

Ger Halligan, winner of the Oakley Open Singles Series Final at Lee Valley Golf Club, pictured with Paul Keohane (Lee Valley) and Kieran O’Connor (Oakley). Picture: Niall O’Shea

Halligan, playing off 14 in Lee Valley, returned 38 points on a day when golfers were hampered by tough winds and heavy showers despite the course being in great condition.  Ger won flights and accommodation for the Portugal Masters which is taking place in mid October.  As well as passes for the European Tour event, Ger will also have access to the players areas on Wednesday.  Oakley are one of the tournament sponsors for the prestigious tour event.  Ken Buckley (Lee Valley) was second and won a customised Edel putter, the Oakley customised putter is one of just 20 that were hand crafted and modified for Oakley worldwide.  Mahon’s Colin Hussey was third and won a top of the range pair of Oakley sunglasses.  Sean Horgan (Muskerry) was fourth and won an Oakley golf bag.  All finalists received Oakley and Continue reading →

Gleeson & Barry book their places in Irish PGA Championship

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Alan Gleeson (Castlemartyr) and Davey Barry (Douglas) both finished in the top 10 in the Irish PGA Championship qualifier at Dundalk Golf Club today.

Barry finished in the top four with a level par 72, while Gleeson was one shot back in a tie for 10th.  Both travelled to Dundalk today in the hope of taking one of the qualifying spots on offer but both Cork golfers must now be delighted with their performances.

lowfuelcard.ie Irish Championship Qualifier Results

The Irish PGA Championship takes place in Dundalk Golf Club from Thursday 1st October to Sunday 4th Cotober and is the showpiece finale for the Irish Region Calendar.  Several other Cork PGA Professionals have already qualified for the event including David Ryan, Graeme Dunlea and Padraig Dooley.