Mitchelstown Golf Club with the scenic Galtee Mountains in the backround.
Picture: Niall O’Shea
Golf in North Cork can be traced back to 1892, and almost 130 years later it’s still thriving. While the rise of the sport exploded in the early part of the 19th century, it’s popularity remained strong right up to today. It’s a testament to the North Cork clubs that they have withstood several challenges and remain popular destinations for both members and guests. Fermoy holds the honour of hosting the earliest recorded golf match in 1892 when the locally based British army officers took on the neighbouring garrison in Lismore. Fermoy Golf Clubs traces it’s history back to 1893, and like many other clubs they had several homes including the racecourse, the Aerodrome, and Continue reading
The members of UCC Staff GS recently celebrated their 40th anniversary, marking the milestone with a golf and a social event in Cork Golf Club. A large number of members attended the celebrations, on the course Willie Weir, Collette Finn and Barry O’Brien won the three-ball scramble while many more joined the group that evening to make the anniversary. As everyone enjoyed the celebrations, there was also a reflection on the early days of the society. A conversation between the late Eric Tully and Robert Mc Namara led to the establishment of the UCC Staff Golf Society, which was first registered with the GUI in 1979. McNamara was instrumental in contacting staff members, who he knew were golfers, and encouraging them to form an inaugural committee. He recalls meeting in Eric Tully’s office in The Lee Maltings. Eric chaired the meeting, Robert was secretary and they were joined by Gary Prendeville, Chris Synnott and Paddy O’Regan. An outing to Mallow was agreed upon and Robert assembled the prizes with twelve golfers taking part in the first event. The original twelve were Robert Mc Namara, Eric Tully, Gary Prendeville, Chris Synnott, Paddy O’Regan, Diarmuid McCarthy, Joe O’Mahony, Cyril Deasy, Fr. Sean McGann, Eoin Shorten, Conor O’Brien and Mr McCullagh. From the small outing 
It may have taken three attempts but the 2019 staging of the Morgan O’Donovan Perpetual Trophy was completed on Monday, with Lahinch’s Donal McSweeney winning. Two earlier attempts to hold the event in Monkstown were rained off, and rather than cancel this year’s event the Munster PGA committee decided to hold the event in Castletroy which was part of the autumn run of winter series events. The Lahinch Head Professional had three birdies in his opening four holes in Castletroy giving him an excellent start. Two bogies on the 9th and 10th pegged him back but the Charleville native finished well to post a winning score of 54 stokes for his 14 holes. It was a north Cork 1-2 as Mark Collins from Charleville came in on one under thanks to four birdies and three pars. Ballyneety’s Walter Doyle was third on 56 (L) while there were six golfers tied on +1. Donal McSweeeny is the latest winner of the prestigious trophy, joining Damien McGrane, David Higgins and David Ryan who are among the previous winners. Morgan O’Donovan was a very popular PGA Professional who passed away in 2012. The event has been held since 2013 and is usually hosted by Monkstown Golf Club where Morgan was Club Professional.
McSweeney also won the team event, partnering with Walter Doyle, Jack Howard and Cian McNamara they carded ten birdies. Tim Rice, Eanna Jones, Padraig Dooley and Kevin McGrath were second with nine birdies. The event was kindly sponsored by Gary O’Flaherty from Cobra/Puma Golf.
