Author: niall@corkgolfnews.com

Walsh wins in Oughterard, Connacht Boys Champion

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Dubai Duty Free Irish Open

Enter a Robert Walsh JNR (Kinsale) winner of the Connacht Boys Amateur Championship 2019. Picture: Golffile | Fran Caffrey

Robbie Walsh claimed his first provincial title today when he overturned a three shot deficit to win the Connacht Boys in Oughterard.  It was a long three days for the Kinsale golfer, he was in contention from the start and held a share of the lead with Galgorm Castle’s Joshua Hill after an opening 68.  He fell back to second place after round two though when he shot a level par 72 and Hill shot a 69.  With a three shot lead, Hill was favourite to win the title, and after the opening nine it still looked like that.  The Kinsale teenager was still three behind at the turn but two mistakes from Hill and a birdie from Walsh on the par five 14th saw the pair tied for the lead on the 16th tee.  Hill went one ahead with a birdie on the 16th, but he closed with two bogies that would put him into second place.  Walsh’s birdie on the par three 17th was crucial, it gave him a one shot lead heading to the 18th tee.  Although both golfers bogied the last, Walsh knew he had a cushion and claimed his first provincial title.

Muskerry’s Fionn Hickey carded a final round 69 (-2) to move up to 4th place, that’s another good result after he won the Under 17 trophy at the Irish Boys last week.  Jack Egan (Muskerry) and Keelan McCarthy (Lee Valley) both finished inside the top twenty, and Ronan Feerick (Mallow) dropped Continue reading →

Bandon Driving Ahead

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Bandon Course Improvements Jul 2019Some major improvements to the golf course in Bandon are underway with the first phase including major improvements to the practice areas and the first hole.   With over 950 members, the 110 year old club is working hard to remain a driving force for golf in West Cork.  Bandon President Donal O’Donovan has been involved with the club for several decades, having held the role of Captain in 2002, he has represented Bandon at the highest levels.  That included being part of the Irish Senior Cup team that won the national title in 2010.  As well as being a scratch golfer for most of his playing time, Donal has also served on many committees and as President this year he described the programme the club set out to implement the course improvements.  “Two years ago, we felt that the course needed to be improved, so we set up a development committee that would be in place for Continue reading →

Robbie Walsh ahead in Connacht Boys, Lyons leads in Irish Seniors Close

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Boylesports Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup 2019 Lee Valley Golf Club 27/28th April 2019Robbie Walsh leads the Connacht Boys after an impressive round where he shot a 68.  The Kinsale teenager had five birdies on his way the the four under par round in Oughterard.  A bogey on the final hole spoiled an otherwise flawless round, and he ties the overnight lead with Joshua Hill.  Keelan McCarthy (Lee Valley) and Shane Connor (East Cork) are the next best Cork players, they shot level par and are tied for 13th place.  Muskerry duo Fionn Hickey (+2) and Jack Egan (+3) are both inside the top thirty, along with Mallow’s Ronan Feerick.  Round two in Oughterard takes place tomorrow with the top 45 qualifying for the final round.

Pat Lyons leads in Kilkenny – Irish Seniors Close Munster Seniors Amateur Open 2019 Killarney Golf Club Wednesday 18th June 2019Pat Lyons shot an opening one Continue reading →

Munster call-up for six Cork golfers, ILGU Interprovincial Championships

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2019 Irish Women's Open Strokeplay at Co Louth Golf Club

Rachel Thompson (Cork) during the  2019 Irish Women’s Open Strokeplay at Co Louth Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Four Cork ladies and two girls have been named on the Munster teams to take part in the interpros at Mount Woolsey next week.  Connacht Women’s Champion Rachel Thompson is joined by Clodagh Coughlan, Paula Walsh and Jean O’Driscoll. with Aoife Ni Thuama named as reserve.  In the girls team, Youghal’s Roisin Connolly was selected with Monkstown’s Michelle Sharkey.  Sara Byrne misses the interpros as she is on the Irish team at the Girls European Team Championships in Spain next week.

The event will take place at Mount Wolseley Hotel and Golf Resort from the 9th to the 11th of July.  Each Province will play each other in three foursomes’ matches and fives singles matches.

Munster 
Clodagh Coughlan (Douglas), Sarah Cunningham (Ennis), Jean O’Driscoll (Muskerry), Sinead Sexton  (Lahinch), Rachel Thompson (Cork), Aideen Walsh (Woodstock), Paula Walsh (Doneraile), Captain: Orla Barry
Reserve: Aoife Ní Thuama (Douglas)

Munster Girls
Roisin Connolly (Youghal), Anna Dawson (Tramore), Corrina Griffin (Killarney), Shannon Hegarty (Ennis), Niamh O’Dwyer (Lahinch), Michelle Sharkey (Monkstown), Emily Walsh (Limerick), Captain: Aoife Lowry, Manager: Kiara O’Keeffe
Reserve: Caitlin Shippam (Ballykisteen)
Schedule
Tuesday 9th July: Munster v Connacht; Leinster v Ulster
Wednesday 10th July: Ulster v Connacht; Leinster v Munster
Thursday 11th July: Connacht v Leinster; Munster v Ulster

Deasy selected for McGregor Trophy

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Munster Boys Under 16 Amateur Open 2018 Newcastlewest Golf Club Thursday 21st August 2018Lee Valley’s Mel Deasy has been selected to represent the GUI at the McGregor Trophy later this month.  Deasy, who is a member of the Irish Boys U16 panel, is one of six players selected to represent the GUI.  Deasy had a great start to the season, winning the West of Ireland qualifier, and making the cut in the event.  He’ll be looking forward to the next few weeks with several boys competitions taking place, in addition to the McGregor.  The McGregor Trophy, which is contested for the English U16 Stroke Play Championship, is a 72-hole tournament. After two rounds, the top 40 and ties will progress to play the final 36 holes. Among the previous winners is England’s Justin Continue reading →

Close Call for Howard at Irish Open Qualifier

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Jack Howard (Fota Island)

Jack Howard (Fota Island)

Jack Howard came agonisingly close to a spot in Lahinch this week, the Fota Island golfer was just one shot away from making the Irish Open field.  Playing alongside 130 of Ireland’s top professionals and amateurs in Moy Valley, Howard shot a three under par 69 in his opening round.  Five birdies and two bogies saw him reach the halfway point in fifth place and in with a great shot of claiming one of the four passes to Lahinch.  David Ryan was also in on -3 while Conor Coyne was the next best Cork golfer on level par.  While several golfers completed their first rounds on Sunday morning, the leaders had to wait to start their second rounds.  Although Howard opened with two bogies in Sunday’s second round he recovered before the turn.  A birdie on the 13th and an eagle two on the 15th put him back in a positive position but a bogey on the second last hole meant that he missed out on the playoff by one shot.  A four under total, with two under par rounds is a strong performance, and given the quality of the field Howard’s top ten finish is impressive.  David Ryan carded a second round Continue reading →

Home win for Ward in Kinsale

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Gary Ward who won the Kinsale Senior Scratch Cup on Saturday.Gary Ward scooped the Kinsale Senior Scratch Cup yesterday, but only after the winner was decided on the 19th after a play-off.  It’s a fourth scratch cup for the Kinsale man, but it’s the first since 2017 and will no doubt be a welcome return to the winners circle.

After a gap of a year, the Kinsale Scratch Cup returned, and the organisers had a strong field assembled.  And thanks to the club and sponsors ODC Advisory they also had an attractive prize pot on offer.  With fine weather in Kinsale, the scoring was expected to be low but the 7,000 yard championship course proved to be a good challenge for the 50+ golfers taking part.

Ward led the scoring after the first round.  He shot a two under par 70 and was alongside Karl Bornemann on -2.  Shane Kenneally and Zak Collins Continue reading →

Vintage celebration for Vintners GS

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Cork Vintners 50th Anniversary_June 2019_1

Pat Bourke, Peter Collins and Fergal Murray pictured at Douglas Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea

The Cork Vintners GS celebrated their 50th anniversary in style recently with a great day out in Douglas and Carrigaline.  Douglas Golf Club was the first stop for the society and they had a packed timesheet for a bumper society outing.  With past captains and officers joining the large current playing membership, it was a day to enjoy the golf and the stories that spanned the last 50 years.  After the golf it was off to Carrigaline Court Hotel where Peter Collins hosted 150 people for a gala celebration dinner.  Chairman of the organising committee Michael O’Donovan was delighted with the day and night.  “A great night was had by all in The Carrigaline Court Hotel where almost 150 people told stories and sang and danced the night away. I must thank John McHenry and all the team at Douglas Golf Club, the course was in fantastic condition and the greens were fast.”  The winner on the day was Leo West from Douglas GC who came in with 42 points.  Second place went to Fergal Murray from Lee Valley with 37, and Don Ellis from Mallow was third with 36 points.   Jack Quirke from Mitchelstown GC won the sponsors prize with 33 points and Charlie Blythe won the guests prize.

Gallery: Cork Vintners GS Celebrate 50 years

While it’s not the oldest society, the Cork Licensed Vintners GS is still one of the most poplar and active, boasting over 60 members and an average of over forty golfers attending each of the outings.  And with 14 events each year, the Vintners is definitely one of the most active with 14 outings planned each year from March through to November.  While golf club membership is now very accessible, back in the 60’s there were fewer golf clubs and very limited membership opportunities.  That led to huge growth in societies as a way for both casual and serious golfers to play regularly.  As more courses opened around the fringes of the city, especially in the nineties, club membership expanded hugely and this had a negative effect on several societies.  Many societies disbanded but the Vintners retained a large playing membership through the 90’s and all the way through to the present day.

Cork Vintners 50th Anniversary_June 2019_6

Committee members Donncha O’Leary, Michael O’Donovan and David Fitzgibbon hard at work at the registration desk. Picture: Niall O’Shea

The first AGM of the Cork Licenced Vintners Golf Society took place on 10th October 1969 in Douglas Golf Club, but the first round of golf took place on June 19th in Douglas Golf Club with a group of Publicans playing in their first event.  Such was the interest, this lead to them forming the golf society later that year in October.  The first committee and founders were Captain George Moxley (Muskerry Golf Club), President Liam Mackessy (Muskerry GC), Treasurer John O’Sullivan (Douglas GC), Secretary Jim Clancy (Killarney GC).  Interestingly there’s still a link back to the original founders as Donal O’Sullivan is a son of the original treasurer John O’Sullivan.  This year’s anniversary committee is comprised of Michael O’Donovan (Chairperson), David Fitzgibbon, Donncha O’Leary, Joe Kearney, Don Ellis, Con Cronin and Paul O’Neill.

Gallery: Cork Vintners GS Celebrate 50 years

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Pat Bourke, Peter Collins and Fergal Murray pictured at Douglas Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea
Sean Crowley, Derry Murphy and Frank Sullivan pictured at the Vintners GS 50th Anniversary outing. Picture: Niall O’Shea
Tom O’Connor and Kieran Brosnan from the South County at the Cork Vintners GS outing at Douglas. Picture: Niall O’Shea
Greg Milner, Paul O’Connor and Andrew Dwyer from Musgrave at the Vintners outing. Picture: Niall O’Shea
David and Gavin Boland from Monkstown enjoying the golf at Douglas. Picture: Niall O’Shea
Committee members Donncha O’Leary, Michael O’Donovan and David Fitzgibbon hard at work at the registration desk. Picture: Niall O’Shea
Frank O’Sullivan, Howard Dunne and Denis Cregan a the Cork Vintners outing. Picture: Niall O’Shea
Pictured at the Vintners outing were Denis Dennehy, Barry Galvin, Rodney Pidgeon and Noel Maguire. Picture: Niall O’Shea
Dominic Cashman and Noel Keating pictured at the Cork Vintners 50th anniversary outing at Douglas Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea
50th Anniversary committee members , Michael O’Donovan and Donncha O’Leary at the celebration dinner in Carrigaline Court Hotel.

Thompson wins Connacht Senior Womens title

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Rachel Thompson Connacht Senior Womens June 2019_2Rachel Thompson won the Connacht Senior Championship in Westport today, going under par to hold her overnight lead and claim her first senior championship.  It was an impressive win, underlined by the winning margin of 11 strokes.

After opening with a six over par 80 yesterday, Thompson found herself just three shots off the lead as everyone struggled to get to grips with the course.  The Cork Golf Club member did just that in the second round on Thursday afternoon, shooting three under to jump up the leaderboard.  Rachel carded five birdies and two bogies to lead the field by five shots and take the overnight lead.

Thompson opened her third round this morning in the same fashion as the previous two – with a birdie.  However it was a mixed opening nine with just two pars.  Two more birdies and four bogies meant that she went out in one over par.  Thompson didn’t put a foot wrong on the way back.  Seven pars and two birdies saw her finish the 18 holes in red for the Continue reading →