Cork Golf

Aaron Olden wins Muskerry Junior Scratch Trophy

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Aaron Olden (Fota Island) watches his shot during the semi-final of the Ryan’s SuperValu Junior Scratch Trophy at Muskerry Golf Club.
Picture: Niall O’Shea

18 year old Aaron Olden is the winner of the 2024 Ryans SuperValu Junior Scratch Matchplay.  The Fota Island member won six consecutive matches in Muskerry from Friday to Sunday to become the 55th winner of the famous tournament which dates back to 1970.  The Carrigtwohill native came through the qualifier and was hopeful that some good golf would follow.

“I was in good form coming into it, I had a good few low rounds in Muskerry.  In the Munster Boys I shot level par and I had a few good scores at home coming into it” said Aaron.  “It was a great experience and I was relieved.  It was a tough match against Adam and I very thankful to my caddie Donal Cronin who helped me through every shot.  I have to thank Brian Kelleher, Nigel Doyle and all the Fota crowd for supporting me, it was great Continue reading →

Gazi wins in Douglas

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Mark Gazi (Tralee) pictured with Captain Shane Hartnett and Peter O’Keeffe (GolfStrong) after winning the Senior Scratch Cup.
Picture: James Doolan

The Douglas Scratch Cup is in Kerry hands for the first time in nearly thirty years after Mark Gazi won in style on Sunday.  The Tralee teenager shot a second round 65 to win by one shot.

Gazi was on the fringes after an opening 72, he was four shots behind the leader Dean O’Riordan and back in 6th place.  A second round 65 (five under par) not only got him back on track, it put him into a winning position.  After chipping in for birdies on the 18th, he rolled in a six foot birdie putt on his final hole (6th) and that was the difference when Continue reading →

Success for Byrne, Cork, Douglas and Munster Women

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Sara Byrne teeing off the 18th in Lahinch on the final day of the Arnold Palmer Cup

Sara Byrne was one of the stars of the show last weekend as Lahinch hosted the Arnold Palmer Cup.  Byrne, the first Cork player to feature in the annual event which sees 48 top college golfers face off on American and International teams.

Byrne was paired with Max Kennedy for the mixed fourball and mixed foursomes and the pair scored two wins in their matches.  In Sunday’s singles she faced the recent winner of the Women’s Amateur, Melanie Green.  Teeing off from the 1st, there was a huge crowd around the clubhouse to follow Continue reading →

Byrne gets boost for Curtis Cup

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Sara Byrne 
Picture: Niall O’Shea

Sarah Byrne gave her chances of making the 2024 Curtis Cup team a huge boost last week when she made it to the final 32 of the Women’s Amateur.  Portmarnock hosted the event, it was the first time that the women’s amateur was held in the Republic of Ireland, and when Portmarnock held the Amateur Championship in 2019 that was won by Corkman James Sugrue.

Aside from her performance, Byrne was aware of the presence of Curtis Cup Captain Catriona Mathews and the fact she was looking at many of the potential team for Sunningdale at the end of August.  Byrne is hoping Continue reading →

Douglas, Cork and East Cork advance in AIG Senior Cup

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James Walsh (Douglas) in action in the third round of the AIG Irish Senior Cup on Sunday.
Picture: James Doolan

Douglas Golf Club hosted two days of exciting inter-club matches last weekend as two rounds of the AIG Men’s Senior Cup took place.  Eight matches took place on Saturday with the winners coming back in Sunday to play in the next round.

The course in Douglas was in great condition for the event.  Memories of the harsh wet winter and spring faded as golfers played from firm fairways and fast greens.  Both days saw a large number of supporters and spectators out on Continue reading →

New Joiner Offer from Fermoy

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Fermoy Golf Club.
Pic: Niall O’Shea

Fermoy Golf Club has just launched a special limited new member offer, giving golfers a great opportunity to join the popular parkland course.  Less than 30 minutes from Cork City, the course is on the Cork side of Fermoy and easily accessible for all.

The new membership offer is only open to the first 30 applicants and offers great value at just €628 for the remainder of 2024.  New joiners will become full members of the Continue reading →

Byrne set for busy summer

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Sara Byrne

Sara Byrne is back in Cork, well temporarily at least as she moves on from finishing her four years on a golf scholarship in the US.  The two-time Irish champion has a busy summer ahead, with plans to turn professional in September.

Byrne spent the last four years in University of Miami, and came away with an accountancy and finance degree as well as much improved golf game.  The 22 year old was a double winner in NCAA Division 1 events in the past year, in addition to recording several top five and top ten finishes.

Sara Byrne in 2019, Picture: Pat Cashman

“The best four years of my life” is how the reigning Irish Close champion described her time in Miami.  “I went over there with a goal to get better and come out of college ready to turn pro and that’s exactly what happened.  Along the way I managed to make the best friends and have Continue reading →

Twomey wins in Muskerry

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Ronan Twomey pictured with the Muskerry Scratch Cup at American Golf in Wilton. Twomey won the Brewin Dolphin sponsored event after a play-off. Picture: Niall O’Shea

Muskerry’s Ronan Twomey scooped home success, winning the Brewin Dolphin Senior Scratch Cup recently.  The 36 hole competition saw a two way tie at the top after two rounds, with Twomey tied with John Waldron, with Twomey winning on the first play-off hole.

Twomey is a regular winner of senior scratch cups, and previously won his home event in 2009 and he was delighted to add another win to his growing list of scratch cups.  Twomey admitted that his thoughts of a win were low.  “At this stage, probably not, but i suppose in your home club you always fancy your chances” said Twomey after his play-off win.  “We were going on a holiday the Continue reading →

Bornemann Playoff win at Munster Seniors

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Karl Bornemann receiving the Munster Seniors Trophy from Michael Coote, also included are Kinsale’s Derry Coughlan (Captain), Carol Deeney (Lady Captain) and Hal McElroy (President). Picture: Niall O’Shea

Karl Bornemann won the Munster Seniors in Kinsale last week, winning in dramatic fashion with a sudden death playoff win.  Bornemann, who has suffered with injuries for much of the past two seasons, saved his best golf for the end.  He birdied the 17th and 18th to force a playoff with David Mulholland, and he beat his fellow Irish International on the second playoff hole.

Bornemann led the tournament after the opening round on Wednesday, he was the only player to go under par posting a two under 70.  Two early birdies were offset by two dropped shots but an eagle on the last saw him hold the overnight lead by two strokes.

He battled on Thursday and crucially birdied the final two holes to reach a playoff Continue reading →