Tim Rice won the opening event of the Munster PGA winter series with a fine three under par 69 in Fota Island today. The Limerick man took the honours with a two shot win over the field. Playing on the Deerpark course in Fota, Rice went out in level par, although he birdied the fifth he gave the shot back on the next hole. He birdied the 10th and then finished strongly with birdies on the 17th and 18th. Although there was fine weather and only a light breeze, the course put up a tough test with only three golfers breaking par. David Ryan and John Sugrue shared second place, both finished on a one under par 71. Munster PGA Captain Cian McNamara was 4th after a level par 70 while Ger Broderick won the over 45 prize. Shane Irwin won the Assistants prize and the team prize went to Padraig McGrath, Mark Beckett, Stephen Hayes and Davey Barry.
Almost 30 Munster Pro’s turned out for the first event of the season, which was sponsored by Ray Walsh and Acushnet. Munster Captain Cian McNamara thanked everyone for supporting the event and Ray Walsh for his sponsorship. He also thanked Kevin Morris from Fota Island and complimented the staff on the quality of the course. The greens were in great condition as usual and the tightly cut fairways demanded precision. The second event of the series takes place on Castlemartyr next week and another large attendance is expected. The series has reverted to a pro-only format with prizes available in three categories in addition to a team prize.
Gallery: Munster PGA Winter Series, Fota Island
Fota Island Prize Winners – sponsored by Titleist Footjoy
(1) Tim Rice 68
(2) David Ryan / John Sugrue 70.
(4) Cian McNamara 71
(5) Steve Hayes, Donal McSweeney, Billy O’Boyle, Padraig McGrath 72
Over 45’s: Ger Broderick 74
Assistants: Shane Irwin 75
Team Prize: Padraig McGrath, Stephen Hayes, Mark Beckett, Davey Barry
Douglas Golf Club have just opened applications for membership in 2018. The southside club operated a similar process last year and the all of the available places were fully subscribed. It’s an exciting time for Douglas. After extensive research and planning the club has just commenced and ambitious programme that will see a major expansion to their practice facilities, and also a brand new five hole short game area. The facility upgrade will be followed by a major upgrade to the clubhouse and proshop. That is currently at design stage and is scheduled for completion in early 2019.
For many people, Autumn marks the end of the golf season, but that’s not the case for teaching professional Ronan Collins. Ronan is based in the Academy at Fota Island and he’s looking forward to a busy off-season as many golfers will continue to work on their games over the winter months. Collins joined the team in Fota earlier this year and has had a great first season at the Academy. “I have loved my first summer in Fota Island, the warmth and support that I received from staff and members at the club has been fantastic” said Ronan on his first few months. “I’m looking forward to a busy winter season ahead with group lessons planned as well as new product releases It is always an exciting time of the year.” Having qualified in Monkstown under Batt Murphy, Collins is now a seasoned teaching pro, and having spent time in teaching, retail and custom fitting roles, he’s now delighted with his move to Fota. “I find my job very fulfilling; I get to spend my day in top class facilities helping golfers improve their games in many ways” said Collins from his base at the Academy. “With some I see improvements through lessons and others I see improvements 
There was delight in Belfast and Cork yesterday as Lee Valley Ladies won another All-Ireland title. The Cork club captured the AIG Minor Cup in Belfast, their first time winning at Minor level. After several close calls this year, the final ended up being a clean sweep for Lee Valley as they beat Mountbellew. Rosemary Driscoll won the first point for Lee Valley on the 17th green when she won 2&1, while Deirdre Lee saw her match go to sudden death before she won and added a second point for Lee Valley. The winning point was secured by Breda O’Callaghan, she had a 2&1 win on the 17th to win the third match and secured another national pennant for Lee Valley. Both Jane O’Neill and Helen Gough were called in, their matches were considered as halves meaning the final score was 4-1 to Lee Valley. On Thursday, Helen Gough was the hero for Lee Valley, securing the winning point in the final match on the final green. Jane O’Neill and Breda O’Callaghan had secured the earlier points and their way to the final in a tough match against Donaghadee. Lee Valley Team Captain Angela Corcoran summed up the feelings of the Lee Valley members: “We’re absolutely thrilled, it could have gone either way right up until the end, it was an amazing contest,” said Angela. “This is our third All-Ireland, we have won two Intermediate Cups and now a Minor Cup in the last 5 years, it’s a huge honour for our 25-year-old club!” The Cork club last won a national title in 2015 when they won the AIG Intermediate Cup in Knightsbrook. The team along with a large number of members and supporters made the long trip from Belfast last night. And the winners were treated to a great reception back in Lee Valley when they arrived home to Ovens.
Autumn is here and so too Golfest as Fota Island gets into the Oktoberfest spirit. Now in it’s second year, Golfest will be run on more than a dozen separate dates in October. For €59 golfers can enter the Oktoberfest competition and also avail a special meal after their round. Embracing the tradition of Oktoberfest the menu features chicken schnitzel, bratwurst with a sourdough baguette or venison hotpot. Dinner is served with a pint of Chieftain IPA, finishing off the Oktoberfest experience for golfers. All competitions will be held on the Deerpark course which successfully hosted the Irish Open in 2014. The best score registered at the end of the month will win the top prize of a custom fit set of Callaway Apex Irons. Dates and times are available throughout October and bookings can be made online or by contacting the Pro Shop in Fota Island. The competition starts next week with times available on Thursday and Friday. Last year the resort ran a similar event, with a top prize of a trip to Munich for the overall winner. Despite a huge number of entries and stiff competition, the top prize went to Billy O’Donovan from Dunmore Golf 
Monkstown Head Professional Cian McNamara has an exciting event next week, he’s heading to France for stage one of the European Tour Qualifying School. McNamara has spent well over three years in Monkstown and the Limerick native was appointed as Head Professional two years ago. Prior that he was effectively a full-time player on the Irish PGA circuit. After a year in Monkstown an opportunity arose to become head pro, and in the past two years Cian has grown into the prestigious position. It was a big change for Cian but one that has worked out. “Things have changed dramatically for me over the two years. I have far more responsibility now than I ever had in my life but I feel I am growing into the position and hope that members of the golf club feel that I am improving in the role more as time is going on” said Cian on 
Cork Golf News 