Author: niall@corkgolfnews.com

Top ten for Byrne on LET Access Debut

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Sara Byrne (Douglas) 
Picture: Niall O’Shea

Sara Byrne made an impressive debut on the LET Access Series last week, the recently crowned Irish Close champion finished in the top ten at the Vasteras Open in Sweden.  Byrne opened with a one under par 71 to be tied for fifth place, and two rounds of 72 saw her finish in 6th place and the second highest ranked amateur.

Byrne has travelled to Sweden to get some experience of pro tour golf, and she will be in action in Upsala again this week in the Capio Ogon Trophy.  Byrne earned over 100 Continue reading →

Murphy retains Munster Boys title

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Jack Murphy (Douglas) pictured during the Irish Boys Close Championship at Monkstown Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea

Douglas golfer Jack Murphy created a little bit of history last week, he became the first person to retain the Munster Boys title in 50 years.  The defending champion picked up his first win of the season in Tipperary Golf Club thanks to some impressive play in the 54 hole event.

After an uneventful opening round, Murphy shot the low round of the event with a five under par 67 to take him two shots clear of the field going into the final round.  But he didn’t have it all his own way and found himself two behind the local Donnacha Cleary halfway through the front nine.  Four birdies took the holder clear of the challenger and Murphy Continue reading →

Woodbrook win for Peter O’Keeffe

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Peter O’Keeffe (Douglas) Picture: Niall O’Shea

Peter O’Keeffe got back to winning ways last Sunday.  O’Keeffe set a course record on his way to winning the Pinergy Woodbrook Scratch Cup in an impressive performance over 36 holes.  O’Keeffe ended up six shots clear of the field, his Irish teammate Rob Brazill finished in second place on -4.

The Walker Cup panel member shot a course record 65 in his first round.  That included five birdies and an eagle on his way to shooting a seven under par 65. That left him four shots clear of the field going into the second round.  O’Keeffe produced another great round in the afternoon, he ended up three under and was the only golfer to break 70.  After opening with two birdies Peter went on to drop a shot on the sixth to go out in one under.  He had another three birdies and one bogey on the back nine to sign for a 69 and win the event in style.

Kinsale’s ProShop Challenge Returns

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Kinsale’s ProShop Challenge returns in August and the fourball challenge will have a new golfer, former Irish Rugby hooker and captain Rory Best.  The Ulster man is a brand ambassador for Arachas Insurance, and he will team up with Arachas backed golfer John Murphy to take on Ger Broderick and Ian Stafford.  This will be the fifth staging of the event with started in 2016, and the event makes a welcome return after missing 2020 due to covid.  John Murphy has been on the challenger team each of the four years, his tour schedule in 2021 and 2022 made it difficult to get a date, but the 2023 event is now scheduled for Thursday 10th August.

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This year’s event has a poignant link to the first ProShop Challenge from 2016, the 2023 event is in memory of Darragh Ryan.  Darragh was a nephew of Continue reading →

UCC GS win on the double

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The UCC Staff Golf Society did a rare double recently, winning the 2023 Intervarsity Trophy.  Having won in St Margaret’s in Dublin in 2022, the society did a rare double with a win last month in Athenry.

Atlantic Technological University were the hosts this year and Athenry Golf Club was in great condition to host the tournament. As usual there were 9 teams taking part in the competition; Atlantic Technological University, University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, National University of Ireland, Galway, University College Dublin, Dublin City University, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Munster Technology University, Technological University of the Shannon.

Each team had ten members and the UCC Team members were society President Eddie McCarthy who played with Dan Walsh.  Captain Aileen Finn played with Maria Carroll, Maurice Conway played with Pat Quinn, Frank Morrissey played with Dr Owen Jump, Barry O’Brien played with Conor McCarthy.  UCC won by a margin of Continue reading →

Monkstown Academy Opens

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Monkstown Golf Club range and front nine overlooking Cork Harbour.  Pic: Niall O’Shea

Monkstown Golf Club recently unveiled their latest development, and new practice range and teaching academy.  The golf club has invested in a number of capital projects over the past two years and the newly opened range compliments the short game area which was opened last year.

The covered range was built at the northern end of the existing practice area, maximising the potential of the 320 yard area.  Monkstown General Manager Maurice O’Meara oversaw the project and while the opening date was a little bit later than planned, the finished product is a credit to the club and the team involved.  “The academy has exceeded all expectations and has been Continue reading →

Monkstown ProShop Team

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Cian McNamara, Shane Irwin and Shane Livesey pictured at Monkstown GC Pro Shop.
Picture: Niall O’Shea

The short game area and the new academy has been a real boost for the team of PGA professionals who work in Monkstown.  The club has a long history of great club professionals including Peter O’Hare who started in 1908 when the club was founded, Jack Higgins, David Brown, Jim Higgins and Finbar Condon.  Batt Murphy will be known to many having served as club pro for several decades.  Starting in 1974, the popular pro had almost 40 years service before his retirement.  Morgan O’Donovan took over from Batt in 2010, and was an instant hit with members.  Unfortunately Morgan passed away in  2012 after battling a long illness.

Monkstown PGA Professional Cian McNamara pictured in the teaching and fitting bay at the new academy and range. Pic: Niall O’Shea

The current pro shop team is comprised of three PGA Professionals.  The team of thee is led by Limerick native Cian McNamara who has spent the last ten years in Monkstown.  Cian was and Irish International and a South of Ireland champion as an amateur, as well as spending three years in East Tennessee with Seamus Power.  Over the last decade Cian has built a great reputation as a Club pro.  As well as operating the proshop, Cian is busy teaching members, guests, teams and Continue reading →

Tom Egan remembered in Baltray

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The Egan family at Co Louth.  Picture: Golffile | Fran Caffrey

Monkstown’s Tom Egan was remembered in County Louth last week, his family visited County Louth Golf Club to commemorate their late father’s record East of Ireland win at Baltray in 1962.

Egan won the East of Ireland Championship at the famous links course and also set a world record at the time of eight birdies in a row in an official competition.

With an invitation from Bridgestone Ireland, Golf Ireland’s order of merit sponsor, some of Tom’s family returned to Baltray to play the course, and to make a commemorative presentation to the Co. Louth Golf Club.

Frank Egan, who works Continue reading →

TopDog Golfer and Harrington join forces to support Guide Dogs

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Nationwide Golf Challenge - 10th & 11th June 2023TopDog Golfer have joined forces with Padraig Harrington to raise fund for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.  The Cork based golf score app is running a unique weekend competition over the 10th and 11th of June and there’s a chance to win some great prizes including a Wilson tour bag signed by Padraig Harrington.

Anyone that has watched Harrington’s golf tips online or his twitter feed will know that he’s a dog lover.  Fresh from his second place finish at the PGA Seniors last week, Harrington met with the team behind the novel golf competition.  “I’m delighted to be supporting the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind nationwide golf challenge, tee off and help the Irish Guide Dogs change lives” said the three-time Continue reading →