David Higgins retained his PGA Irish Club Professional title in Dromoland today. The Waterville man shot a second successive 70 to win by three and ahead of a three way tie for second which included Colm Moriarty, Brian McElhinney and Richard Kilpatrick. Higgins had a steady round one birdie on the front nine was balanced by a bogey on the back nine as he eased to his first Irish Region win of the new season.
Cian McNamara carded a two under par 70 which tied for the low round of the day. He was level par for the front nine but an eagle 2 on the par 4 tenth hole got his round going. He birdied the 15th to get to -3 but a dropped shot on the last hole saw him finish on +5 for the tournament and take a share of 10th place.
Padraig Dooley added a 78 today after shooting a 73 yesterday, he finished two shots behind McNamara in 14th place. David Ryan was the only other Cork golfer in action in Dromoland, he shot a second round 78 to finish in the middle of the pack in 34th place.
“I was delighted with that today. With it being so windy there was disaster around every corner so I kept it steady and kept the big numbers off my card,” said the 44-year-old. “It was a great couple of days, fantastic weather and a spectacular setting for the course which was set up tough. It played a bit ‘linksy’ which was right up my alley and considering the course set-up and the high winds I was delighted to shoot level par.”
Higgins was happy to get off the mark today: “I’m delighted to get off to a good start. The standard is getting better each year on the Irish Region and every win is going to be crucial in the order of merit race. I was my first time to Dromoland, its a cracking venue and definitely worth a visit for any golfer.” Next up for Higgins is a EuroproTour even in Ballykisteen next week and then it’s on to the Roganstown Golf Hotel Pro-Am in Monday week.
As well as a busy schedule on the Irish Region tour, Higgins also has a place in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, and the links specialist is looking forward to July: “I haven’t played Portstewart yet but I hear it is a great links. I would love for the wind to blow really strong during the week of the open. I feel this would play right into my hands and give me my best chance of doing well.”
Niall Turner carded a final round 73 to finish in 44th place at the Panasonic Open in Japan this morning. On Friday Turner made birdie on the final hole to get inside the cut, this event is his first in seven weeks after he played in the Maybank Open in Malaysia in February. Turner had a 69 yesterday to jump up to 30th place but dropped back today as a result of his two over par 73.
David Ryan and David Higgins came out on top on a glorious day in Monkstown today as the annual Morgan O’Donovan Perpetual Trophy competition took place. Both players shot an impressive 67 and although the sun was out the combination of a hard wind blowing and fast greens meant that only a few golfers managed to break par. The competition is now in it’s fifth year and commemorates Morgan O’Donovan who was Head Professional in Monkstown before his death in 2012. The competition today was sponsored by Ping and the pro-am format saw plenty of Munster PGA Professionals take the opportunity to get out and play with an amateur partner.
Local knowledge seemed to give two local golfers the edge in Cork today as Padraig Dooley (Drive Golf Performance) and David Ryan (Cahir Park) won the Munster PGA event. Over 20 golfers started out this morning and while there was a cold wind blowing through Little Island, the course was in great condition and surprisingly dry given the heavy rainfall over the weekend. Both golfers trained under Peter Hickey and they returned today to triumph over a field of talented professionals. Both golfers played very steady golf, Ryan was an early starter and had birdies on the 6th, 11th & 12th. The only blemish came on the 17th, but the two under par 70 was enough to get into the winners circle. It was a similar story for Dooley, he also birdied the 6th and the 12th. A bogey on the 14th brought him back to -1 but a birdie on the 17th saw him sign for a 70 and take a share of 
Fota Island Golf Academy is opening its doors to keen golfers for the week between 9am and 4pm allowing guests to experience the finest and most comprehensive golf training facilities in the country. Always innovating, Fota Island recently launched a new membership package for their Academy which for the first time incorporates playing rights and access to the course. The new package will be unique in Munster, in addition to full access to the extensive practice facilities members will also have access to the nine holes on the Barryscourt course that wraps around the Academy. Ideal for those who want to improve their game, the Fota Island Golf Academy offers a sophisticated analysis of swing, putt and technique, as well as excellent, comfortable and relaxing surroundings and invaluable advice from PGA Professionals along with 
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 
Cork Golf News 