Monkstown’s Cian McNamara was back in the winners circle yesterday after shooting a five under par 64 at the Delgany Pro-Am. McNamara has been playing a reduced schedule this year, playing in three or four events each month. Although not playing as much as some fellow professionals he racked up quite a few top five and top ten finishes this year and proving the Limerick native is still a threat on the Irish region circuit. On Wednesday he teamed up with his assistant Shane Irwin and both qualified for the PGA Fourball Championship in Headfort, finishing in second place.
McNamara had a good start, he turned on -3 thanks to an eagle on the third and a birdie on the ninth. Another birdie followed on the 10th but he handed back a shot with a bogey on the 12th. McNamara had a strong finish with birdies on the 16th and 18th to sign for a five under par 64. That was more than enough for the win, McNamara was two ahead of second placed Damien McGrane and Daniel Beattie. It’s a busy week for Cian, he is back in action today at the Beaverstown Pro Am in Donabate.
Weather conditions in Lahinch were slightly better today as the opening two rounds of the matchplay got underway. After two rounds there are still five Cork golfers involved, with two all-Cork clashes set for tomorrow morning.
It isn’t too often that a scratch golfer would have six bogies and a double – and still be happy with his round. Well that’s exactly what happened Sean Desmond in Lahinch today. Playing is his first South of Ireland, the Monsktown teenager shot a 74 in very testing conditions. That 74 included four birdies and an eagle, which helped Desmond to bounce back from the bogies. He was actually one under after an eagle on the 5th and he finished the front nine on level par. That included a lost ball on the 7th which led to a double bogey. A birdie on the 12th saw Desmond back in the red but three consecutive bogies on 13, 14 and 15 saw him return to the black and sign for a two over par 74.
Fancy a trip to the Old Head? Are you playing off 9 or lower? Are you free any of the next four Thursdays? If so a new Lee Valley competition might be of interest. Jack Boyd and Paul Keohane have come up with a new weekly competition in Lee Valley that’s aimed at single figure golfers. Four weekly qualifiers will take place in August, starting on Thursday 3rd August and three golfers will qualify each week for the series final. The top four golfers from the final will book their place for round of golf in the Old Head in September with the winner on the day claiming the inaugural Old Head Cup. The best golfer each day, along with the runner-up and best gross will all qualify for the final, and there will also be daily prizes on offer.
The Boy’s Interprovincial Championships get underway today in Blarney with the U18 and U14 competitions kicking off the three day festival of golf. Mallow trio Edward Walsh, Adam Boland and Greg Barrett lead a strong Cork line up in the Under 18 championship while Bantry’s Mel Deasy and Douglas’ Zak Collins are in action in the Under 14 competition.
A dozen Cork golfers will be hoping to bridge a 13 year gap and win the South of Ireland Championship this week. Mallow’s Meryvn Owens was the last man to bring the famous trophy back to Cork in 2003, when he beat the holder Colm Moriarty on the 18th green in Lahinch. Cork winners have been few and far between, John McHenry won in 1986 and before that there’s a 22 year gap to W A Kelleher’s win. The statistics would suggest that a few more years should pass before the next Cork winner, but given the strength and depth of the Cork golfers competing this year, don’t rule out a good run from a few of the form golfers.
Castlemartyr is a busy place right now and the August weekend will be one of the busiest with their annual scratch cup weekend. Starting on Friday 4th August, the event is set to attract well over 400 golfers over the three days and there’s a large prize fund in place. The event is again sponsored by McCarthy Insurance Group who have been on board for the past four years. The course is set to be in great condition for the showpiece event, the recent fine weather has allowed Trevor Norris and his team to speed up the course which is always a treat for handicap golfers. The three scratch cups (Junior, Intermediate and Minor) take place from Friday to Sunday and the timesheet is filling fast. Since the course opened it became an immediate favourite for both societies and casual golfers. The weekly open singles series are always popular and the membership has grown steadily over the past decade.
Fota Island’s Open Week starts tomorrow with different events on each day. On Monday the 24th of July, golfers can enjoy Over 55’s Fourball at €100 per team. Ladies Three Ball Better Ball will take place on Tuesday at €35 per person and Open Singles at €40 per golfer takes place on Wednesday. On Thursday there’s an Open Fourball at €40 per golfer and Friday will once again host Open Singles at €40 per head, ending Fota Island Resort’s Open Week with specials that everyone can enjoy.
Cork Golf News 