Golf Ireland

Top Thirty finish for Byrne in France

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Sara Byrne (Picture: Niall O’Shea)

Sara Byrne had another impressive week on the course when she finished in the top thirty at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.  Byrne was in Ladies European Tour action for the second time in two weeks, hoping to make the most of her playing opportunities before the end of the year.

The Douglas golfer opened with a level par 71 on the opening day of the 54 hole tournament, and a one over par 72 followed on the second day which saw her safely inside the cut mark of +5.  A final day 71 saw her finish in 28th place at Golf Barriere in northern France.

Byrne carded 11 birdies in the 54 holes, showing she has the game to stake a claim for a tour card on the professional circuit.  She won over Continue reading →

Douglas Celebrate Senior Cup and Curtis Cup Successes

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Sara Byrne in action in the Curtis Cup in Sunningdale. Picture: Niall O’Shea

Sara Byrne had a fairytale end to her amateur career, going unbeaten in five sessions and helping GB&I to win the Curtis Cup for the first time since 2016.

The Douglas golfer may have missed out on her club’s AIG Senior Cup win, but she made a lifetime of memories in Sunningdale.  Byrne played in all five sessions and she was the only player to undefeated over the three days.  She had a win and three halves in the opening two days alongside Lottie Woad, and closed out her final round as an amateur with a decisive win.

Team captain Catriona Matthew kept her faith in Byrne and Woad on the Continue reading →

O’Keeffe wins Irish Mid-Am in Tipperary

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Peter O’Keeffe bagged his sixth Irish Championship win last weekend when he won the Irish Mid-Am in Tipperary.  The two time Irish Open Champion already had two Mid-Am titles to his name but he has had a poor 2024 by his own standards.  O’Keeffe has played well in parts this year but struggled to put a few consecutive rounds together.  HE did that over the weekend, and started brightly with a two under par 70 although he did find himself in third place.  A level par second round put O’Keeffe into a tie for the lead after the two ahead of him dropped backwards.

After two rounds O’Keeffe was Continue reading →

Three Wins for Cork Golfers

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There were three good wins for Cork golfers last week, spanning different ages and geographies. The age and geographic gap was notable with winners ranging in age from teenagers to the sixties, and wins in three different places.  Closest to home, Cian McDonnell won the Kerry Boys, Karl Bornemann won the Irish Veterans Close and Justin Dennehy won the Scottish Under 14.

Justin Dennehy has won his fair share of junior golf competitions and he was back on the winning trail last week when the 13-year-old won the inaugural Scottish Under 14 Open Championship.

The youngster posted rounds of 68 and 73 at Dunfermline 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 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 →

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 →

Coughlan captures Munster Strokeplay

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A top class field assembled in Cork Golf Club on Saturday, all hoping to take home the Cork Scratch Cup as the winner of the Munster Strokeplay Championship.  First played for in 1923, the cup has gone through a few different formats, and 72 holes would separate the field in this staging.  Cork was in great condition for the prestigious Munster Championship recovering quickly from the wet spring.

Holder Jason Law got the competition underway at 7.30 on Saturday as he was out I the first group.  The centenary winner took the winter off from golf and while he opened with a disappointing 79, he followed that with a 71 but missed the cut by two. Continue reading →

Mairead Martin wins Cork Scratch Cup

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Mairead Martin (Kanturk) being presented with the Cork Ladies Scratch Cup trophy by Lady Captain Amanda Welsh and Lady President Nuala Lyden.

Mairead Martin won the Cork Ladies Scratch Cup in style on Saturday, shooting two under par round to win by four strokes.  The Irish International has been in good form recently and that showed in the first wound when she shot a four under par 70.  Martin was delighted with her win, her second of the year.

I really like Cork Golf Club, funnily enough I hadn’t played it very much even being from Cork” said Mairead after her win.  “It’s a challenging course but definitely rewards good approach shots.”

“I played well in round 2, I knew it was important to keep the foot on the accelerator as you never know what can happen.  I started out well with Continue reading →

Byrne named on Palmer Cup Team

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Douglas golfer Sara Byrne was last night named on the international team to play in the prestigious Palmer Cup which takes place in Lahinch in July.  The announcement came late on Tuesday and the 22 year old Senior was delighted with the news.

“Being selected was such an honour” said Byrne.  “It’s been a goal of mine for the last couple months to really perform and give myself a chance to make the team especially having it in Lahinch.”

“Having it at home is a cherry on top, I’m so excited to be able to compete in front of a real home crowd.”

“It feels really nice to know I had a little bit of pressure to Continue reading →