James Sugrue captured the Bank of Ireland Castletroy Scratch Cup this afternoon as a second round 69 saw him jump into a winning position. Four birdies and a single bogey meant that the Mallow man signed for a 69 and when added to his morning 72, he finished three shots clear of the field. David Reddan and Deam McMahon both finished on level par, with Reddan taking 2nd place on the countback. John Hickey was 6th on 147 and Paul Tobin had another good finish taking the second nett prize. A full field of 75 golfers took to the course for the 36 hole event.
Sugrue was just two shots off the first round lead at lunchtime. Castletroy’s John Hadnett shot a two under par 70 to hold the lead. Dean McMahon and Paul Tobin were in on 71 and Sugrue was in a group on 72.
Needless to say Sugure was delighted with his win and a credits a recent equipment change to his success. “I changed back to my old putter last week and I think that’s made a real difference” said a happy winner. “The course was in great shape, the greens were very nice and the course did suit me. There were a lot of two irons off the tees today.” The Bank of Ireland sponsored competition is one of the Continue reading
John Murphy is in the top five heading into the final day of the French Amateur Open at Chantilly Golf Club. Murphy started the second round in a tie for 12th place but shot 3 under to jump up seven places. Murphy had six birdies but a cold putter and lost ball meant that he dropped three shots to sign for a 68.
A bumper €2,500 prize fund is in place for the Kerry Scratch Cup which takes place in mid June. The 54 hole event will again attract WAGR points and it has the added benefit of counting towards the Munster Senior Order of Merit, which will decide on half of the places for the Senior-Interprovincials.
It wasn’t the low round that he promised – but in any case it was enough to give Peter O’Keeffe the lead going into tomorrow’s final round of the Flogas Irish Amateur Open.
Peter O’Keeffe shot a one under par 70 on the opening day of the Flogas Irish Amateur Open. Royal County Down was playing firm and fast today thanks to the recent dry weather and it proved a test for the Irish golfers as only seven made it into the top 25. O’Keeffe started brightly with a birdie on the first but dropped shots on 4 and 8 meant that he turned on +1. There were no more bogies for the Douglas member, and he birdied the 10th and 12th before parring his way home. He’s in a tie for 8th place and three shots off the lead.
Barry Anderson followed up his recent win the West of Ireland by claiming the Munster Strokeplay Championship in Cork Golf Club today. Rounds of 70 & 72 saw Anderson edge out Peter O’Keeffe and Ronan Mullarney but one shot. The 2014 champion won the West two weeks ago and followed up with another win today in tough conditions in Cork. Anderson shot a two under par 70 this morning and needed to get up and down from the fringe on the 18th to sign for a 72. Anderson was battling with Peter O’Keeffe, the Douglas golfer found a fairway bunker on 18, and a bad lie meant he couldn’t go for the green. He had a 35 foot putt for par but missed, meaning Anderson won by a single stroke. Ronan Mullarney had two rounds of 71 today and finished tied for second place with O’Keeffe. Mullarney also won the Carr Bruen trophy as the best Under 25. 
Cork Golf News 