Cork Golf Club were recently awarded the Munster Club of the Year award from Munster Golf. The club that was first founded in 1888 has been central to Cork and Munster golf for over 125 years and while the tradition creates a legacy, the club has continually evolved and developed to remain at the forefront of the sport. The Club moved to its present site in 1897, and in 1924 the world famous designer Dr. Alister MacKenzie redesigned the course. In 2010 – 2012 major alterations were carried out under Martin Hawtree to restore the MacKenzie design. Over the years the Club has hosted many major Amateur and Professional Championships over the years. Graeme McDowell won the Irish Youths in 1999. Shane Lowry won the Irish Close in 2007. The Club has won 14 national pennants and in 2016 won Continue reading
Cork Golf
Staff the key for Cork GC
Anthony Gillis receiving a presentation after 50 years service at Cork Golf Club
One of the keys behind the success of Cork Golf Club has been the staff. Cork has had a tradition of being a great place to work with many staff members holding long service at the Little Island club. General Manager Matt Sands came from Dublin close to 30 years ago to take up the role in Cork. Matt isn’t the only employee with long service. Anthony Gillis has worked in Cork for the past 52 years, moving through various roles to become the Course Superintendent, Matt himself has been in Cork for 28 years while Gerry Kenneally has run the restaurant and kitchen for 27 years. PGA Professional Peter Hickey has also worked in the famous course for over 20 years.
“I enjoy my role as General Manager in Cork Golf Club” said Matt. “I have worked here for nearly 29 years and can honestly say I have enjoyed every minute of my time here. The esteem in which the club is held is evident when you travel away and also when you hear comments from the many guests who visit the club. The course has had major renovations carried out over the last number of years, it is always presented in good condition and very enjoyable to play. It is often called a hidden gem and having been designed by Alister MacKenzie the layout deserves the many accolades it receives.” According to Matt, the award capped off a great year for Cork that also saw them claim a coveted Munster Pennant. “Being named Club of the Year for 2016 at the recent meeting of Munster Golf has given everyone in the club a great boost. We have a team of 20 employed in the club, many with long service. 2017 will again see us hosting the Munster Stroke Play Championship, Our Pro Am and will also welcome many local, overseas visitors and Corporate events.”
Cork Celebrate team of 1991, Irish Junior Cup Winners
Cork Golf Club celebrated the 25th anniversary of their 1991 Irish Junior Cup win recently, with Team Captain Tom Monaghan hosting a dinner for the winning team. It was a great way to round off 2016, as four of the panel from 1991 were involved with this year’s Barton team. The panel in 1991 was comprised of Gary O’Flaherty, Mark Ford, Brian Kelleher, Vincent Twohig, Mick Power, Mark O’Connor, Tony Duncan and John Carroll. The Captain in 1991 was George Dwyer and Michael Hurley (RIP) was President. Gary O’Flaherty set down an early marker during that campaign, the fresh faced teenager won eight matches out of eight in the campaign winning the first point for Cork in every match. Gary’s handicap Continue reading
Munster Golf release 2017 AIG Cups and Shields Draws, and the thrash talk has started
It might only be December but it all kicked off on Facebook last night. Rivalries came out as Munster Golf announced the draws for the 2017 AIG Cups and Shields…
And it carried Continue reading
Douglas win Cork Business Award
Douglas Golf Club was named the Golf Club of the Year 2016 at the recent Cork Business Awards. The 10th Annual Cork Business Awards were presented at a gala black tie dinner in the Conference Centre at the Clayton Hotel Silversprings recently with over 500 people in attendance from all aspects of business in Cork. A new award for Golf Club of the Year was added for the first time this year. Douglas Golf Club was the inaugural winner of the 2016 Golf Club of the Year Award in recognition of the quality provided by the Club both on and off the course for its members and visitors. Officers and Management of Douglas attended the awards ceremony to accept the award on behalf of the club. Speaking after the presentation, Douglas President Tony Barry said that it was a great honour for Douglas Golf Club to be selected as Continue reading
Padraig Drives forward with Edel
2016 brought lots of news from the major equipment companies. Nike pulled out of club design while having two of the biggest paid stars on their books, and TaylorMade was put up for sale by Adidas at a time when they dominated the Driver market. It was also the year that a few of the smaller and newer manufacturers made a breakthrough. Edel wedges and putters were one of those breakthrough brands and the custom made clubs are now available in Cork. Glanmire based PGA Professional Padraig Dooley has been known for his interest in clubs, and the mechanics and technology behind the clubs. Although the Edel brand made a big breakthrough this year, Padraig has been a fitter for the bespoke brand for well over a year and has helped over a dozen golfers to lower their scores with the unique fitting process. “I came across Edel Continue reading
Impressive second rounds from the O’Driscoll Brothers, Alps Tour Q School
Tommy O’Driscoll pictured after winning his Alps Tour card ilast year.
Thomas O’Driscoll bounced back today with a two under par 70 to take his place inside the top thirty after two rounds in the Alps Tour Q School final. The older O’Driscoll brother finished the first 36 holes on +2, four shots inside the cut which fell at +6, with 67 golfers making it through. O’Driscoll had three birdies on his front nine but one bogey meant that he turned on -2. He bogied the par three 11th but added another birdie on the 13th. Steady pars on his five closing holes saw him stay in the red and qualify with a few holes to spare.
Eamonn O’Driscoll shot a level par 72, and this was a great improvement on his opening round. The amateur bounced back from three dropped shots on the front nine, and had four birdies on the back nine to sign for level par. Yesterday’s round cost him however as he finished on +8, two outside the cut mark.
Draft Fixtures & Venues, Cups & Shields and Championships 2017
Draft fixtures & Venue for 2017: Continue reading
Seamus Power visits Monkstown
Seamus Power pictured with Monkstown President Colm Ó Riain, Club Professional Cian McNamara and Monkstown Captain Martin Walsh. Picture: Niall O’Shea
PGA Tour golfer Seamus Power took some time out of his break back in Ireland when he spent a few hours in Monkstown Golf Club on Saturday for a special golf clinic for members. Power was in Monkstown following an invite from his college team-mate Cian McNamara. The pair spent a four years in East Tennessee University, both were on the college’s golf roster following impressive junior golf performances in Ireland. McNamara returned to Ireland, studied for his PGA qualifications and two years ago he landed the job in Monkstown. Power stayed in the US and spent a few years developing his game on the mini-tours. The mini-tours in the US are a tough learning ground but Power served his time and moved up the hierarchy step by step until he reached the secondary US tour, the web.com tour. Following a great year on the web.com tour last year, Power secured his card on the main PGA Tour, and followed that with four successive cuts in his four most recent tournaments. Power has earned close to $100k so far from the four events and is currently inside the top 100 in the FedEx Cup points list. The good start to the season means that Seamus Continue reading
Rice wins in Castlemartyr
Munster PGA Captain Stephen Hayes presents Tim Rice with first prize from the TaylorMade singles along with Brady Sherwood from Castlemartyr Links.
The Munster PGA got together for their final winter series event before Christmas and limerick man Tim Rice took the spoils with a five under par 67. Despite playing a relatively short course, the unusually quick and smooth greens caught a fair few golfers on the front nine and the result was that only two golfers managed to break the par of 72. Tim Rice made his return to the local scene after missing the Killarney event as he reached the second stage of European Tour Q School. Now back on Irish soil, the PGA Assistant from Limerick was the only golfer to stay on track for the full round at Castlemartyr. He birdied each of the par five’s on the front nine before recording an eagle at the ninth hole. That meant that the Limerick man turned on -4, and unlike many of the other pro’s who turned with a good score, Rice held on to it. A bogey on the 10th was balanced with a birdie on the 12th. He added a birdie on the 17th in the middle of a run of five pars to secure the lead and take his first win of the current winter series. Tralee’s John Sugrue was the only other golfer to break par, he finished with a 71 to take second place. Killarney winner Davey Barry was also in the hunt today until he dropped a few shots on the way home. He finished off with a level par to take third place and did his PGB Order of Merit hopes no real harm. There was a three way tie for fourth place with Cian McNamara, David Ryan and Padraig Dooley all signing for 74’s. The event was kindly sponsored by John Caulfield from TaylorMade Golf.
Gallery: Munster PGA at Castlemartyr
David Foley, Brady Sherwood and Ciaran McKenna pictured at Castlemartyr Links.
The course in Castlemartyr came in for great praise and resident PGA Professional Brady Sherwood was happy with the feedback: “I was delighted have my fellow Munster PGA professionals playing our course today. The weather held out and its always nice to get very positive feedback in relation to the course set up and the playing conditions. Our greens staff do an amazing job, the dry winter weather assisting in getting our fescue rough harvested ready for next season. It’s great to have our trademark greens running a cracking 10 on the stimp.”
David Ryan maintains his place at the top of the Premium Golf Brands Order of Merit with Cian McNamara close by in second place. Dave Foley, Tim Rice and Davey Barry take up the next places with half of the schedule completed. Details of the January and February will be announced shortly.
Cork Golf News 