Author: niall@corkgolfnews.com
O’Keeffe & Sugrue through in North of Ireland, Murphy opens with 68 in Euro’s
Peter O’Keeffe and James Sugrue are safely through to the matchplay stage of the North of Ireland, comfortably finishing in the top 64 from the mammoth field of 300 golfers. O’Keeffe carded rounds of 68 and 70 over both courses in Royal Portrush to finish on -5 and in a tie for 4th place. The Douglas man fired in eight birdies and an eagle over the two rounds and if he can continue in that form he should extend his time in Portrush. He’s currently in action against Haryey Byers from Walton Heath in the first matchplay round.
North of Ireland Matchplay Draw
James Sugrue continued his good form with a top 13 finish in the strokeplay qualifier. He shot rounds of 68 and 72 to book his place in the matchplay where he faces Marc Norton from Belvoir Park this morning. There was disappointment for Cathal Butler as he finished just one shot outside qualification on +3, and there was no joy for Continue reading
All the Winners… Irish Golfer Events at Cork Golf Club
RESULTS / CORK GOLF CLUB 6th July
Category #1 (Up to 11 Handicap)
1st Place – Martin Devlin (10) 39 pts – Taylormade M3 Driver
2nd Place – Ben Harte (5) 38 pts – Taylormade M3 Three-wood
3rd Place – John O’Sullivan (4) 37 pts – Taylormade M3 Rescue
Category #2 (12-24 handicap / 36 ladies)
1st Place – Liam Hickey (12) 47 pts – Taylormade M4 Driver
2nd Place – Eugene Ryan (12) 40 pts – Taylormade M4 Three-wood
3rd Place – Mary R. Barry (21) 39 pts – Taylormade M4 Rescue
Best Gross
Kieran Kennedy (Scr) 74 – GolfBuddy GPS
Nearest The Pin
13th Hole – Mick O’Toole – Motocaddy S5 Connect
Longest Drive
Lar Ryan – TaylorMade Stand Bag
Pro Shop Challenge returns to Kinsale
The Pro Shop Challenge returns to Kinsale Golf Club this month, this will be the third staging of the very popular charity fundraising event. The brainchild of Ian Stafford and Cathal Butler, the challenge started in 2016 with Ian and Cathal partnering with Ger Broderick and John Murphy respectively. The amateurs took the win that year, the young guns took an early lead and never looked back as the the confidence of youth helped them to wrap up a win. Most importantly the event raised over €3,000 for Special Olympics. Delighted with their efforts in 2016, Butler and Murphy spearheaded the second staging of the event last year. This time however their wings were clipped. Broderick and Stafford used all of their experience and knowledge to take down the cocky amateurs, beating them by a clear margin in the end. Both professionals, who were involved first hand in the coaching and development of Butler and Murphy, were delighted to beat the amateurs in front of a huge crowd in Kinsale. Yet again the main winner was the charity partner. Marymount Hospice was the selected beneficiary and over €3,000 was handed over after the event. With the series score at 1-1, interest is building in this years competition. The event was first proposed by Ian Stafford who quickly enlisted a core team to turn the idea into an event. Keeping the event going is now the priority for Ian. “With the third edition this year, the fact that the pro’s managed to win last year has given the event this year a heightened sense of interest” said Ian Stafford. “The event needs to stay competitive to be a success. Having said that both Ger and I have thoroughly enjoyed our year as Champions Continue reading
Strong finish for Sugrue in Final Qualifying
James Sugure finished in the top 15 at final qualifying for The Open at St Anne’s Old Links on Tuesday. The Mallow golfer has had a busy two weeks, covering the British Amateur, playing Senior Cup for Mallow in Cork Golf Club, and then playing Co Louth, Rosapenna, and St Annes in quick succession. With only three spots available for the Open, qualification was always against the odds, and Sugrue found himself four over after his opening nine holes. He recovered two shots on the back nine to finish the opening round on +3. James got his second round off to a blistering start, with four birdies in his first five holes. He dropped a few shots in the middle of the round but finished strongly, closing with two birdies and an eagle. A second round 67 saw him jump over twenty places, in fact Sugrue had nine birdies and an eagle in his final 27 holes. Speaking after the qualifier, James cited the lack of a practice round as a critical reason for the difference between both rounds.
Sugrue through to Final Qualifying for 147th Open
It’s been an interesting few weeks for Sugrue, he made it to the last 32 in the British Amateur but missed on the Irish team for the European Team Championships. He bounced back by shooting a 64 in Co Louth in regional qualifying for the Open and he finished 25th in a strong field in Rosapenna last weekend during the Irish Open qualifier. Sugrue will no doubt be hoping to convert his current form into a win, and push for selection on the Irish team for the Home Internationals. With the North of Ireland taking placee next week in Royal Portrush and the South of Ireland in Lahinch later in July where Sugrue is the reigning champion, there will be plenty of opportunities for the young Mallow man.
McNamara through to DDF Irish Open
Monkstown’s Cian McNamara pictured at his custom fitting bay at the range in Monkstown Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea
Cian McNamara booked his place in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open this week with a dramatic playoff win this evening in Rosapenna. The Monkstown professional was tied for fourth place after the opening round, and at the end of 36 holes he was tied with tour professional Kevin Phelan for the fourth and final qualifying place. It was the Limerick native who won through in the play-off. After halving the first playoff hole, Phelan’s approach to the second found the rough and two putts meant that he carded a five. McNamara was on in two with around 30 feet for birdie. He rolled his birdie putt up to less than two feet and tapped in the par to win the final place. He now faces a tough decision on whether to travel to St Anne’s Old Links on Tuesday for final qualifying for the Open Championship in what’s sure to be a busy week.
Simon Thornton won the event and claimed the top prize of €6,000 a well as a Continue reading
Murphy Earns Irish Cap
There was great news in Kinsale Golf Club earlier this week when John Murphy became the latest Corkman to earn full Irish honours. He has been selected in the six-man Irish team to compete in the European Amateur Team Championship in Germany in two weeks’ time. Murphy was almost a certain pick given his recent form. He won the St Andrews Links Trophy earlier this month, and last week he reached the quarter-finals of The Amateur Championship in Royal Aberdeen.
The Louisville student represented Ireland at the Boys Home Internationals in 2016, and gaining a full international cap this year was definitely a target. “Being named to the Irish senior team is very exciting” said Murphy after the announcement. “I still remember going to Carton House for the champions dinner when I was young and seeing the Irish panels. I was in awe of even being in the presence of players like Continue reading
More to do for Cork crew in Rosapenna
Cian McNamara and James Sugrue have a solid chance of making the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open after the opening round of the Rosapenna qualifier. McNamara shot a three under par round of 69 to lie in 4th place at the halfway stage. After a bogey on the 5th he came back in four under par, with a final birdie on the 17th to get himself back into contention. James Sugrue is two shots back on -1, and currently in 10th place. Sugrue had an interesting round, made up of seven birdies and six bodies. irrespective of what happens tomorrow both golfers will travel to the UK from Donegal to take part in final qualifying for the British Open.
Jack Howard is tied for 15th on +1, Davey Barry and Padraig Dooley are both tied for 25th place after rounds of 75 (+3). Given that the best scores today were -5 it’s unlikely that Continue reading
AIG Junior Cup :: South Munster 2018
Irish Golfer Event heads to Cork
Irish Golfer Magazine are holding their first Cork event next week, and over €3,500 worth of prizes will be given out on the day is what is one of the biggest events in Cork. It takes place on Friday next (6th July) and there are several tee time options still available.
Cork Golf Club will be the host venue for the event, the Little Island course is home to the Munster Strokeplay and has hosted the Senior Cup as well as the area finals of the Irish Mixed Foursomes in the past two weeks.
The event is open to ladies and gents and there is a non GUI/ILGU category also available. The entry fee is €60 per person with a reduced rate of €40 for Cork GC members. As with all IGM events this years, all of the golfers taking part will be entered into a draw to win Continue reading
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