Author: niall@corkgolfnews.com

Strong Season finish for Sara Byrne

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Sara Byrne (Douglas) in action in the AIG Irish Womens Close in 2022.
Picture: Niall O’Shea

Sara Byrne wrapped up her third year in the US with a solid performance at the NCAA National Championship.  Sara was one of nine individual golfers who qualified for the finals in Greyhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale Arizona.  She booked a place in the finals thanks to a second place finish in the Palm Beach Regional which should have been her final event of the college schedule.  Byrne was just the second Cork golfer to make it to the NCAA finals, John Murphy played with Louisville in 2019 and again in 2021 in his senior year.  It’s been another very positive season for the Douglas golfer, she recorded three top tens in the very competitive ACC conference and the third year led the Miami Hurricanes on a number of occasions.  She played in 37 competitive rounds this year and had an impressive stroke average of 72.9, an improvement of over Continue reading →

Scratch Cup Wins for O’Neill, Howard and O’Flaherty

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There were three Cork winners over the weekend, David Howard and Gary O’Flaherty won scratch cups in East Cork and Muskerry while Karen O’Neill won the Castletroy Scratch Cup.

Four birdies helped first time winner O’Neill to finish one under par in Castletroy, and she was delighted with the win.  “To be honest I’m delighted with the win, it’s my first win” said O’Neill after the victory.  “I was actually in an accident back in October so I’ve been working hard over the last couple of months to get back playing so I’m delighted.  I missed a short one for birdie on 3 then birdied 4 and 7, had a bogey on 9 then birdied 14 and 15.  I stumbled over the finish line with bogeys on 17 and 18 but thankfully got it done.”

Next up on the ladies circuit is the Ballybunion Continue reading →

O’Riordan retains Fermoy Crown

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Dean O'Riordan

Dean O’Riordan

A playoff birdie help Dean O’Riordan to retain the Fermoy Scratch Cup last weekend.  The home favourite came from two behind after the first round to join a group of three in the playoff, and he won on the first green thanks to a birdie.  It was in impressive performance from the holder to win the John Whyte Memorial Cup.  A two under par round of 68 in the morning was followed by a four under par round for the afternoon.  Finding himself tied with his brother Roy and David Howard, he was the only one to birdie the first playoff hole to win the event.  James Walsh took Continue reading →

Jason lays down the Law in Cork

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Jason Law beat the field and the course in Cork last weekend to win the Munster Amateur Open.  The East Cork golfer survived six rounds of golf over three days to become the latest winner of the Cork Scratch Cup.  The 48-year-old in fine form all weekend and he brought that into the final where he got the better of Harry Gillivan in the final on Bank Holiday Monday. Continue reading →

Walsh stays the course in Lee Valley

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BoyleSports Lee Valley Scratch Cup winner Robbie Walsh (Douglas) pictured with Peter Tuite from BoyleSports and Lee Valley officers Jack Noonan and Liam Power. (Pic: Niall O’Shea)

Robbie Walsh produced a great performance to win the BoyleSports Lee Valley Scratch Cup last weekend, winning the 54 hole event after leading from start.  The Douglas member hung in there in the final round, displaying huge determination to stay ahead of a stellar chasing pack.  Walsh led after the opening round, shooting the low round of the tournament with a three under par 69.  He followed that with a level par 72 to hold a three shot lead heading to the final round.

As final rounds go, it proved to be an entertaining contest.  Walsh birdied the first two holes and when nearest challenger Gary O’Flaherty bogied the first the lead was six shots.  Things changed though when Walsh dropped four shots in the next three holes.  With nine holes left his lead was down to two shots, but that’s as close as the field got to him.  He reeled off eight birdies and a single bogey on the way home and although David Reddan and Jack Murphy threatened they never got close enough.  In front of a large gallery Robbie Continue reading →

Fermoy Senior Scratch Cup on Sat 6th May

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Lar Fant Chairman, Brendan Lyons Hon.Sec, Nuala O’Sullivan Lady Capt, Paddy Roche Capt at the launch of the John Whyte Senior Scratch Cup

The John Whyte Memorial Scratch Cup is less than two weeks away.  The competition takes place on Saturday 6th May and this year it will be run over 36 holes.  The course in Fermoy has recovered well from the heavy rain of March and early April, and it’s sure to be in great condition for the event.

2022 winner Dean O’Riordan will be back to defend his title and a full field is expected.

Previous winners include European Seniors star Denis O’Sullivan, Fermoy native Tom Cleary and current tour pro James Sugrue.  The event has a prize fund of €1,600 with several prizes on offer.  Entry is just €35 and includes lunch.

Anyone interested in playing can book through www.fermoygolfclub.ie or by calling the club on 025 31472.