Monkstown came up just short of winning a Munster pennant at the Irish Junior Foursomes yesterday. Woodstock in Co Clare was the venue for the Munster finals and the Cork club beat Newcastlewest in an exciting semi-final match. That led to an afternoon final against Ballbunion. Unfortunately for Monkstown they were well beaten in the final, Sean Desmond and Cillian Desmond lost in the first match and Shane Livesey and Fionn Murray also lost in the second match.
Author: niall@corkgolfnews.com
Peter O’Keeffe, still in love with the game of Golf
Peter pictured at Dennehys Health & Fitness in Douglas.
Picture: Kestutis Anuzis
After several years as a professional golfer, Peter O’Keeffe is returning to the amateur ranks, but the Douglas man still intends to make a career from the sport, working as one of a few specialist golf fitness coaches. O’Keeffe has recently completed his certification as a Titleist Performance Institute Fitness instructor and has started a new golf fitness business based in Dennehy’s Health & Fitness in Douglas.
O’Keeffe’s interest in fitness and sports science started over a decade ago, when he attended Southeastern Louisiana University on a golf scholarship. As well as playing golf at the highest collegiate level, Peter studied sports science in his years in Louisiana. That gave him a solid foundation in the scientific end of the fitness and physiology, and his interest in the area was Continue reading
Tour Life Ain’t Cheap
Peter performing one of the stability and core strengthening exercises from the TPI training programme.
Picture: Kestutis Anuzis
For every Rory McIlroy there are hundreds if not thousands of professional golfers who try to make it on tour. In Ireland alone around a dozen amateurs turn professional every year. In addition to the European Challenge Tour, there are several mini-tours which offer aspiring professionals a chance to put a card in their pocket every week. However the pro-tours are not cheap to compete in, as Peter explains: “An average week on any of the pro tours
in Europe will cost €1,000 at least [entry fees, travel and accommodation], tour school entry is €2,000 and that’s before you buy yourself a sandwich. At no point would I moan about my time as a tour player, I achieved quite a lot in my career and it has led me to meet all the people that are now closest to me so there are no sour grapes. Professional golf is an amazing occupation provided the path is clear for your schedule but more importantly your mind. I could never jump the financial hurdle that would have allowed me to forget everything and send the ball where it needed it to go. Travelling the world with your clubs to play the best courses week after week is a great experience but the bank balance was always Continue reading
Luke Dennehy: Sports Specific Training the Way Forward
Luke Dennehy (left) and Peter O’Keeffe going through a warming up excercise at the gym in Douglas.
Picture: Niall O’Shea
Luke Dennehy, owner of the Dennehy Health & Fitness gyms in Douglas and Ballincollig, started Peter O’Keeffe’s TPI journey in 2012 and he has an interesting view on the concept of golf specific fitness training. He explained: “When I decided to get qualified in TPI back in 2012 it was purely for the niche in the market and not because of a background in golf or an real love for golf at the time. I knew it wasn’t that common, but people like Tiger Woods were changing the Continue reading
Ward Takes Second Place at Leinster Boys
Gary Ward from Kinsale shot three under for his final 36 holes at the Leinster Boy’s today to claim second place. Ward shot a 69 this morning to hold the 54 hole lead by two shots. However a one over par 74 this afternoon meant that the Kinsale man had to settle for second place. The winner was Michael Ryan from New Ross and his win was well deserved considering he shot -7 (68,69) on the final day in Balcarrick.
John Murphy was the one of three other Cork golfers to make the cut for the final 36 holes, he shot a positive two under 71 this morning but signed for a disappointing 77 this afternoon. Murphy now looks like taking second place in the final national Order of Merit standings. Mark Healy carded a 73,73 to maintain his place inside the top twenty and Muskerry’s Benedict Cronin finished in 42nd place from the field of 150 golfers.
Five Cork Clubs in Munster Finals
he final qualifying match of the Munster Cups & Shields took place last night and Tramore overcame Waterford Castle in Dungarvan.
Muskerry and Youghal are in AIG Barton Continue reading
Ward takes over lead in Balcarrick – Leinster Boys Day 2
Kinsale golfers have continued to lead the Leinster Boys Open in Balcarrick, today it was Gary Ward’s turn to shoot the low round of the day and take a share of the lead at the half-way point.
Ward posted a two under par 71 to jump a dozen places Continue reading
Murphy Leads Leinster Boys
Kinsale’s John Murphy in action in Monkstown recently.
Picture: Niall O’Shea
Kinsale’s John Murphy stormed into the lead at the Leinster Boys Open in Balcarrick. Murphy has consistently shown good form this season and was a surprise omission from the Irish Boys team announced yesterday, but he bounced back from the disappointment to shoot a two under par 71.
Murphy was actually Continue reading
Butler named on Irish Boys Team
Kinsale’s Cathal Butler was last night confirmed as a member of the Irish Boys team for the Home Internationals. It will be Butler’s second time Continue reading
Young Guns lose out in South of Ireland
Cork’s Young Guns lost out in the second round of the South of Ireland Championship in Lahinch today.
Youghal’
s Conor Coyne took Niall Gorey to the 18th this afternoon but the experienced campaigner beat Coyne on the final hole. Coyne had an impressive 3&2 win Continue reading
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