Pictures from Seamus Power’s visit to Monkstown Golf Club: Continue reading
PGA
Peter Alliss Visits Castlemartyr
Honorary President Peter Alliss and Captain Tony Loughnane pictured at the Castlemartyr members evening with Peter Alliss. Picture: Niall O’Shea
Golf Legend Peter Alliss fulfilled a long-standing obligation last week when he visited Castlemartyr Golf Club. Late last year the famous BBC anchor was named honorary President of Castlemartyr, a title he also holds in Old Thorns Golf Club, Castlemartyr’s UK parent hotel. Alliss had hoped to travel for the President’s Prize earlier this year but was unable to do so. And instead sent a video message to members. On Friday evening he went one better, attending a member’s Q&A session which was moderated by RTE’s Greg Allen. Greg who is an accomplished golfer himself was delighted to get the opportunity to join in the unique event. At the start of the evening, the MC reminded everyone that in addition to an impressive career as a commentator, Peter started as a very successful tour pro, winning over 20 times at events in the UK and across Europe. Now 85 years old, Alliss was in great form on the night, and almost 100 packed into the Pod for the members only event. Peter gave full and frank answers to the questions which had been submitted by members. In addition to giving everyone an idea of how professional golf was in the 50’s Alliss also gave Continue reading
McNamara wins in Dromoland, Munster PGA Winter Series
Munster PGA Captain Stephen Hayes presents Cian McNamara (Monkstown) with first prize.
Cian McNamara won on the double today when he won the singles and the pro-am competitions at Dromoland Golf Club. The Monkstown Professional won by one shot from David Ryan and only two golfers managed to break par. Gary Howie took third place with level par and Patrick Sheehy was fourth with a 73. Dan Sugrue, Diarmuid Frazer and David Foley all tied for fifth place
It was McNamara’s first win in the 2016 PGB Winter Series had a steady start but dropped a shot on the long par five 6th. He struck a purple patch around the turn, knocking in four birdies in five holes. McNamara birdied the 9th, 10th, 12th & 13th. Unfortunately he dropped a shot in the 14th but he bagged another birdie on the closing hole.
- McNamara also claimed the honours in the pro-am when he partnered Peter Brazil (Limerick GC) to a winning 44 points. Ian Colleran and amateur partner Brian Lenihan took second place with 42 points.
The next event in the series takes place in Castlemartyr next Monday, the event is a pro-only event.
PGA Winter Series Event #3, sponsored by Golfbuddy
Dromoland Golf Club
1st Cian McNamara 69
2nd David Ryan 70
3rd Gary Howie 72
4th Patrick Sheehy 73
5th Dan Sugrue 74 Diarmuid Fraser 74 David Foley 74
Pro-Am Results
1st Cian McNamara and Peter Brazil 44
2nd Ian Colleran and Brian Lenihan 42
O’Callahgan’s Raffeen Move
Carrigaline based PGA Professional Wayne O’Callaghan has recently set up a new base in Raffeen Creek Golf Club. The popular instructor has moved from his previous base in Fernhill where he had worked for the past four years. Wayne qualified as a PGA Professional almost twenty years ago having served his apprenticeship under Bandon’s Paddy O’Boyle. From 1998 to 2012 he worked from the busy Carrigdhoun Golf Range and in 2012 he moved to Fernhill Golf Course. Over the past four years Wayne developed a very strong junior programme, which incorporated quite a bit of on-course work which complimented the range and putting green aspect of the programme. Although his time on the PGA Irish Region Tour has been limited due to his teaching commitments, Wayne did feature in the top ten a number of times this year. Having left Fernhill in October, Wayne wasted no time in setting up a new base. “I have now Continue reading
Killarney win for Davey Barry, Munster PGA Winter Series
Enter Munster PGA Captain Stephen Hayes presents Davey Barry withfirst prize at the Titliest Munster PGA event at Killarney, also included is Comac Flannery from Killareny Golf & Fishing Club
Davey Barry won today’s second Munster PGA event in Killarney when he shot level par on the Killeen course. This was Davey’s first win at a Munster PGA event and tops off a good season where he also won on the PGA Irish Region in Rosslare. Davey had a great start and turned on two under par after recording birdies on the 7th and 9th. He had a mixed back nine, bogeying the 10th but getting a shot back on the par five 11th. He dropped shots on the 12th and 13th but got back under par on the short 14th. A late bogey on the 18th didn’t damage his position at the top of the leaderboard, and his level par 72 was good enough for a one shot win over the field.
Killeen was in great condition for the Titliest sponsored event. Although there was a short delay while the frost cleared, the course came in for great praise from all of the PGA professionals. Many commented on the firm fairways while everyone was Continue reading
O’Donovan well placed after opening round in PGA Tour China event
Bandon native Brian O’Donovan shot an opening round of 69 to finish in the top 20 at the Clearwater Bay Open in Hong Kong. O’Donovan is competing in his first PGA Tour China event this season and is very well placed in the field of 120 golfers. He’s three shots off the lead on one under par. The Mission Hills senior instructor had two bogies and three birdies on the front nine and he followed that with nine pars on the way back.
Brian’s senior teaching role at the Dongguan Academy in Million Hills means that he’s had very little time to play golf this season, but he took advantage of this opportunity and finished third in Monday’s qualifier to make it into the tournament.
Scoring: Clearwater Bay Open, PGA Tour China
Ryan and Foley share the honours in Dooks, Munster PGA Winter Series
David Ryan (Cahir Park) and David Foley (Dromoland Castle) came joint top in Dooks today in the first outing of the Munster PGA Winter Series. The two David’s were the only golfers to finish under par, shooting an impressive 70 in cool windy conditions. The pair had a four shot cushion over the field. Dooks was in great condition for the Ping sponsored event which attracted PGA professionals from all over the province. Third prize was shared between Limerick’s Tim Rice and Tralee’s John Sugrue after they both finished with a 74. Rice will miss the next outing as he’ll be in Tarragona, Spain hoping to earn a place at final qualifying for then European Tour. Rice qualified for the second qualifying stage last month, and will be hoping for another good performance there. Monkstown’s Cian McNamara and his amateur partner Alec O’Donnell took the pro-am prize.
The next event on the PGB sponsored schedule takes place in Killarney on Monday 7th December. After Killarney its on to Dromoland, and Castlemartyr will host the final event before Christmas in December.
Waterville’s David Higgins missed today’s competition as he’s in action in the PGA Playoffs, being held in Saunton Golf Club in Devon. Higgins carded and opening round of 72 (+1) and is in the top ten just three shots off the lead. The 72 hole event continues tomorrow.
Dooks Launch for Munster PGA Winter Series
The Munster PGA Winter Series gets underway this week with a visit for the first time to Dooks. The Glenbeigh course will hold the first event of the calendar on Monday next which is a pro-am. The event is sponsored by Ping and a large number of entrants is expected. Dooks’ resident professional Danny Sugrue will be hoping to take advantage of his extensive local knowledge, but Liam Higgins could also make that claim so it should be a very competitive event. It’s been a busy few weeks for the Munster PGA committee and Captain Stephen Hayes. They have been planning an extended series of eight events which will take place from October to March. As well as prizes form each competition, golfers will also be competing for the PGB Order of Merit.
The playing schedule reflects the lack of nationals events and a time of year where most Pro’s will have the opportunity to get out and play. “The Munster PGA is for any PGA Professionals working in or from the Munster Area.” explained Hayes. “It’s an opportunity for Golf Professionals to meet during the quiet months. It is very competitive and you need to shoot Continue reading
Long Read: Hayes at Home in Douglas
Stephen Hayes pictured in action in Douglas Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea
It’s six years since Stephen Hayes took the reins at Douglas Pro Shop, taking on the challenge of working in one of the oldest clubs in Cork. The past six years haven’t been great for the golf industry but in that time the PGA Professional developed a large following. Working from one of the busiest courses in the county, Hayes has built a strong business in what was a tough time for everyone involved in the business. Being a club pro can be a demanding job, the shop must be open 364 days a year, and for up to 12 hours a day during the summer months. Add to that the fact that you need to find cover for the shop if coaching or playing, or even taking a day off, and you’ll soon realise that a pro-shop can be a demanding business for a PGA Professional. Over the past two years the retail landscape has changed, the internet has become a real alternative to the high street or on-course shop. The high street Continue reading
Top Ten finish for McNamara and Barry at 106th Irish PGA Championship
The 106th Irish PGA Championship came to a conclusion today with two Cork golfers in the top 10. Monkstown’s Cian McNamara finished of his tournament in style with a two under par 70. The Limerick native got off to a great start with three birdies on the front nine and another one on he 11th. He bogied the 13th and 16th which pegged him back a little but still stayed in the red and signed for a 70. Davey Barry also rounded off a great week, finishing in a tie for 7th place alongside McNamara. Davey signed for a one over par 73 today but jumped up two places on the leaderboard. Barry was three over par through 11 holes but added two birdies on the way home to get back on track and ensure his top ten finish.
David Higgins had a 71 to stay inside the top ten and finish in 6th place just ahead of McNamara and Barry. David Ryan shot a level par 72 to move up into the top 30. Mallow’s Ciaran McKenna had another disappointing round and finished near the back of the field.
Damien McGrane joined the legendary past winners with a hugely impressive 69 to put his name alongside some of the greatest Irish golfers. Overnight leader Continue reading
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